Randy Landreneau will be speaking with us at the 8-9-2012 general meeting. He has some good insight on prototyping and will be sharing that insight with us Via SKYPE.
Examples of methods for rapid prototyping
- In Stereo lithography, a movable column positions itself in a special photosensitive resin so that a very thin layer of the liquid is on top of the column. Based on the CAD file of the part, a computer directs a laser to the exact areas of the liquid, which harden. The column then lowers a minute amount, providing another thin layer of liquid, which again gets hit by the laser. This goes on until the complete part is fully created.
- In Fused Deposition Modeling, a computer uses the CAD file to build the part using a very small extrusion of molten plastic, layer by layer.
- The latest addition is 3D Printing. This process uses a special type of inkjet printer where a computer is directing the print heads to spray fine amounts of material, layer by layer, until the part is completely built.
BIO – Randy Landreneau is a former President of the Tampa Bay Inventors Council. Randy runs Complete Product Development, a company that does consulting, design, development, prototyping (old school and rapid), and short runs using urethane casting. Randy also provides inventor education through two DVDs – How to Make Plastic Prototypes and Invention 101. Randy plans to talk about prototyping, including the exciting new developments in 3D printing.
Complete Product Development website
As usual at our meetings we will be networking amongst the group. What ever stage that your current project is in feel free to bring prototypes, finished products, sales sheets or anything else that you would like to get an opinion on from the group. Bring business cards and make connections. (keep in mind that showing somethings could compromise the protection of that project)
Anyone that has taken some time to participate in the questionnaire handed out at our last meeting and would like to discuss with me and share their opinion, feel free to get involved. Any input that you may have will be helpful and is important to the success on the system being created to help increase the effectiveness of the group.