Stereo Lithography
Discussion
I read an interesting article about the new Ford GT(40) and how they have managed go from prototype to near finished in 16 months..
They used a technique called stereo lithography to prototype and assemble complex plastic parts without tooling costs and timescales of weeks.
I wonder if TVR could use something like this to improve their build quality without dramatically increasing their costs...
They used a technique called stereo lithography to prototype and assemble complex plastic parts without tooling costs and timescales of weeks.
I wonder if TVR could use something like this to improve their build quality without dramatically increasing their costs...
we're having the budget for one next year For scientific testing purposes of course
There's a model, which works with clay/gypsum, so running costs are low. These models start at €45k, and are useable in the office, so no dirt and dust flying around.
I gues, they will be standard for every product development environment in five to ten years.
tuscan_s said:I don't think, they'll need 5k per car to amortise. Developers will be quicker and more spontaneous for ideas/testing.
But I'm sure an extra £5,000 per car and you have paid for it? as well as a massive increase in quality.
If my car had more precision made seals etc I would pay an extra £5,000!
Rapid prototyping increases time-to-market, as CAD, CAE, CAM already did. It's just a step further, and the way to go, even for smaller businesses.
Yes, but we are dealing with a company here where the factory dog makes styling changes 
I am sure that it would have many many positive benefits but I just cant see TVR releasing the cash for something like that for quite some time.
A spin off question would perhaps be would SL'ing compromise the hand built cottage industry feel that TVR have?
I am sure that it would have many many positive benefits but I just cant see TVR releasing the cash for something like that for quite some time.
A spin off question would perhaps be would SL'ing compromise the hand built cottage industry feel that TVR have?
plotloss said:
Yes, but we are dealing with a company here where the factory dog makes styling changes
I am sure that it would have many many positive benefits but I just cant see TVR releasing the cash for something like that for quite some time.
A spin off question would perhaps be would SL'ing compromise the hand built cottage industry feel that TVR have?
TVR is already using CAD (as seen in their website's factory tour). I don't know which application they've bought, but one comprehensive Pro/Engineer license can cost up to €30k, and so are all the other state-of-the-art MCAD packages.
Here's an interesting link about RP:
www.visionsandinnovations.com/works/rapid/main2.html
If you want a limited number of custom plastic parts, then it's probably the cheapest way to do it. Not to mention having them back in a day or two as opposed to waiting 12 weeks for the tooling to arrive.
SLA machines can cost £750,000, but it is only one type of rapid prototyping. FDM or SLS would be OK for most things and there are loads of companies doing RP on a contract basis.
SLS is easier to get more parts in one build envelope, so individual parts are reletively cheaper, I'd think that would be useful for loads of things on TVRs.
Also you can produce all manner of funky shapes that wouldn't be possible by machining and moulding.
... sorry, I'll put my anorak away and go home now.
SLA machines can cost £750,000, but it is only one type of rapid prototyping. FDM or SLS would be OK for most things and there are loads of companies doing RP on a contract basis.
SLS is easier to get more parts in one build envelope, so individual parts are reletively cheaper, I'd think that would be useful for loads of things on TVRs.
Also you can produce all manner of funky shapes that wouldn't be possible by machining and moulding.
... sorry, I'll put my anorak away and go home now.
tuscan_s said:
Interesting. Is there a maximum size that you can create? E.g can you create say, a Tuscan bodyshell or are we talking about rear headlight assemblies or door seals etc...
Small parts. Generally up to about 300 mm cube. I saw a test piece on a SLA machine at DeMontford university that looked like a full size car wheel (in resin though), so I guess that machine could do 16 or so inches and pretty accurate (and for 7 or 8 hundred grand you'd want it to be!).
There are a veriety of materials avilable including metals and one rubber like compound.
SLS in nylon is probably most useful to the automotive industry, most machines have a build envelope of approx. 300 * 300 * maybe 450 deep, but some newer ones are now offering 700 x 380 x 580mm. Maybe enough to knock out your own custom rocker cover! Bigger than that and you'd have to make it in sections.
RP isn't part of my job, just an interest. Nearest thing you can get to the replicators in Star Trek!
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