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The TMF is creating an automated rapid prototyping capability on the Internet, for engineers and scientists to use over long distances. One portion of the effort is the connection itself and how to allow users to easily submit jobs and have the system automatically maintain a queue. Another effort is to reduce the need for human-checking of rapid prototyping part files.
The TMF uses a Helisys 1015 laminated object manufacturing (LOM) rapid prototyping system, interfaced to a Sun Microsystems workstation. A roll of paper, available in thicknesses from .95 mm (.0037") to 2.5 mm (.0100") is fed a section at a time into a cutting area. It is laminated to the previous layers with heat and pressure. A laser then cuts out the outer and inner outlines of this layer of the part and the process repeats for all layers until done. The resulting part looks, feels, and acts like it was made of wood.
Mike Bailey, Dru Clark, San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of Callifornia, San Diego.
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