Internet page

Citation

Rigelsford, J. (2003), "Internet page", Assembly Automation, Vol. 23 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2003.03323dag.001

Internet page

Keywords: Internet, Rapid prototyping, Rapid manufacturing

http://www.therics.com/Therics, Inc.

Therics, Inc. has developed TheriForm^™, a 3D fabrication technology for the creation of novel tissue engineering, unique reconstructive implants, and biopharma-  ceutical products. TheriForm enables complex tissue engineering and drug delivery products to be produced with structures and attributes that exceed the capabilities of conventional manufacturing techniques.

This is an average site that contains an interesting Virtual Tour showing how Theri-  Form technology can revolutionize the design and fabrication of tissue engineering products.

http://www.stratasys.com/Stratasys

In 1988, fused deposition modelling (FDM) was developed, which led to the production of Stratasys's 3D MODELER^®. This technology generates three-dimensional models using an extrusion process. Since then, Stratasys has purchased IBM's rapid prototyping technology and produced a range of products including FDM1500, FDM8000, FDM Titan, QuickSlice, WaterWorks, and Prodigy.

http://www.mk-technology.netMK Technology GmbH

The German company MK Technology was founded in 1998, with their first products being sold to the Southeast Asian markets. Currently, 70-80 per cent of their machines are sold abroad. Their products use vacuum casting which allows a large variety of prototyping material to be used, with a range of hardness and texture.

This is a well presented site that is worth visiting.

http://www.vistatek.com/Vista Technologies LLC

Vista Technologies specialises in rapid prototyping, stereolithography, and tooling. They provide high quality prototypes within 24h of receiving the design drawings at standard costs.

http://www.atirapid.com/Accelerated Technologies, Inc.

Accelerated Technologies, Inc. is a rapid prototyping service bureau that was established in 1990. They have delivered over 135,000 prototypes to over 1,400 companies, using stereolithography, selective laser sintering, object 3D printing, and RTV moulding. Accelerated Technologies has 18 rapid prototyping systems with 11 available materials.

An informative site, but its poor navigational tools let it down as it is too easy to get lost.

http://www.zcorp.com/Z Corporation

Z Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets the world's fastest 3D printers. Their products include the ZPrinter 310 System, Z406 System, and Z810 System. The three- dimensional models can be used for concept modelling, functional testing, finite element analysis and metal casting. ZCast Metal Casting allows metals to be directly cast in moulds produced using Z Corporation's line of 3D printers. Their products have been used for medical and molecular modelling, and for designing parts in the appliances and automotive industries.

http://www-rpl.stanford.edu/Rapid Prototyping Laboratory, Stanford University

The Rapid Prototyping Laboratory (RPL) is dedicated to improving design through efficient use of rapid prototyping technology. Reductions in design cycle time result from the ability to produce arbitrarily complex, fully functional prototypes with short lead times. The RPL has its own rapid prototyping system called Shape Deposition Manufacturing that produces objects of arbitrary geometry in a variety of materials. Their projects include the Mesicopter, a centimetre-size electric helicopter designed to stay airborne while carrying its own power supply, and mesoscopic gas turbine engines, whose power density is expected to increase with decreasing size.

This well presented and interesting academic site is definitely worth visiting.

Hot Sites

http://www.3dsystems.com3D Systems

Established in 1986 by the inventor of stereolithography, 3D Systems provides digital imaging solutions that transform virtual computer designs into physical models. With over 200 patents, their rapid prototyping technology utilises stereolithography, selective laser sintering, direct composite manufacturing and 3D printing processes to fabricate physical objects using input from 3D scanning and sculpting devices, or computer-aided design and manufacturing software.

This is a superb site, which is well worth visiting. It provides a wide range of corporate, financial and product information. Technical datasheets are available in English, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish. The site also contains a useful application solution matrix and information about 3D System's partners, who include Raindrop Geomagic, Inc.; SolidWorks Corporation; UGS Solutions; and SensAble Technologies, Inc.

http://www.eos-gmbh.deEOS GmbH

EOS GmbH was founded in 1989 and has grown to become the world's leading producer of laser-sintering systems. EOS has subsidiaries in France, UK and North America.

This is a superb site that is extremely well presented.

Jon Rigelsford