Keywords
Citation
(2003), "Stratasys advances rapid prototyping process, increasing model resolution Fuji was partner in Research and Development", Assembly Automation, Vol. 23 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2003.03323aab.008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
Stratasys advances rapid prototyping process, increasing model resolution Fuji was partner in Research and Development
Stratasys advances rapid prototyping process, increasing model resolution Fuji was partner in Research and Development
Keywords: Rapid prototyping
Stratasys, Inc. and Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd, Tokyo, made an advance in the rapid prototyping process known as fused-deposition modeling (FDM). The development increases the solid model resolution, allowing design engineers to build models with finer feature details than in the past (Plate 2).
Plate
2
The advance came as a result of 11 months of research and development work between Fuji and Stratasys, who agreed to join forces last April expressly to increase model resolution. Fuji will use the new technology to produce compact pocket-camera components that can be functionally tested. Components will range from tiny, intricate mechanisms to camera bodies. In last April's joint announcement, Yasunori Tanaka, Fuji Photo Film Divisional Manager said Fuji was interested in the FDM process partly because of its ability to make durable, functional parts from ABS plastic and also because it is the material from which many of Fuji's products are constructed.
"We have increased resolution of the model-layer thickness to 0.005 inch (0.127 mm). This means users can build models with much finer features - as fine as 0.020 inch (0.508 mm) - on a functional prototype," says Stratasys Project Manager Jeff Hanson. "This resolution improvement goes hand-in-hand with our automated support-removal process," which dissolves the temporary supports so they do not have to be manually removed. "By combining automated support removal with the new resolution option, we can make models which cannot be matched to any other process."
The technology is available exclusively on Stratasys' high-speed machine, the FDM Maxum™. All future Maxums shipped will contain this upgrade. Existing Maxum users holding service contracts will receive the upgrade at no charge beginning in April.