The Genisys The Genisys Desktop ModelerDesktop Modeler

Rapid PrototypingRapid Prototyping

Used as a communications tool Used as a communications tool between experts and non-experts between experts and non-experts alike.alike.

It can tell volumes about the It can tell volumes about the nature of a design. nature of a design.

Feeling the weight and texture of a Feeling the weight and texture of a part is important to understanding part is important to understanding it.it.

G.D.M.G.D.M.

Minnesota-based Stratasys was the Minnesota-based Stratasys was the first company to launch a 3D first company to launch a 3D printer on the market.printer on the market.

The Genisys machine, went on sale The Genisys machine, went on sale in summer 1996, priced at around in summer 1996, priced at around $55,500. $55,500.

Builds parts fitting within a 203mm Builds parts fitting within a 203mm cube from a plastic polymer cube from a plastic polymer material.material.

What is the Genisys Desktop What is the Genisys Desktop Modeler?Modeler?

A design tool for quick multiple A design tool for quick multiple iterations of concepts early in the iterations of concepts early in the cycle.cycle.

It is based on the technology It is based on the technology acquired from IBM in January, 1995. acquired from IBM in January, 1995.

Fast, single material system allows a Fast, single material system allows a designer to "print" concept iterations designer to "print" concept iterations directly from a workstation. directly from a workstation.

It employs an extrusion nozzle It employs an extrusion nozzle which delivers a high strength which delivers a high strength polyester compound.polyester compound.

How does the Genisys How does the Genisys Modeler Work?Modeler Work?

Polyester Material comes in the form of Polyester Material comes in the form of waferswafers

Single wafers are loaded into the Single wafers are loaded into the deposition head then melted and deposited deposition head then melted and deposited through the single extrusion tip while through the single extrusion tip while tracing the cross section of the part.tracing the cross section of the part.

The wafer in the head is replaced after The wafer in the head is replaced after being used up and the process continues being used up and the process continues to completion with an accuracy of to completion with an accuracy of +/- .013”.+/- .013”.

How can Genisys Modeler How can Genisys Modeler Parts be utilized?Parts be utilized?

Concept Modeling/VerificationConcept Modeling/Verification AnalysisAnalysis Direct UseDirect Use Low-Impact Wind Tunnel ModelingLow-Impact Wind Tunnel Modeling Can be Drilled, Bonded and/or Can be Drilled, Bonded and/or

Painted Painted

Who Uses the G. D. M.?Who Uses the G. D. M.? Outboard Marine Corp. in Wisconsin. Outboard Marine Corp. in Wisconsin. John Deere's Product Engineering Center in John Deere's Product Engineering Center in

Waterloo, IowaWaterloo, Iowa Movie studios are now employing RP Movie studios are now employing RP

technology along with 3-D laser scanners to technology along with 3-D laser scanners to create life-like movie sets. create life-like movie sets.

Advantages/Disadvantages of Advantages/Disadvantages of the Genisys Modelerthe Genisys Modeler

Advantages:Advantages: User FriendlyUser Friendly Network AbilityNetwork Ability

Allows for printer-Allows for printer-like operationlike operation

CompactCompact Fast (faster than Fast (faster than

Stratasys FDM Stratasys FDM machines)machines)

Disadvantages:Disadvantages: Single-Material Single-Material

CapacityCapacity Difficult support Difficult support

removal on removal on complex partscomplex parts

Future DevelopmentsFuture Developments

Color models, better materials, faster Color models, better materials, faster speeds, and inexpensive machines speeds, and inexpensive machines are all likely future developments. are all likely future developments. 

The goal of any product development The goal of any product development is to increase speed, improve is to increase speed, improve materials, decrease price and add materials, decrease price and add features.features.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Rapid Prototyping TechnologyRapid Prototyping Technology, by Kenneth G. , by Kenneth G. CooperCooper

http://www.Stratasys.comhttp://www.Stratasys.com http://www.michaelrees.com/articles/RParticleshttp://www.michaelrees.com/articles/RParticles

.html.html http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/ViewCohttp://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/ViewCo

ntentServlet?Filename=Published/EmeraldFullntentServlet?Filename=Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/0330170307.htmlTextArticle/Articles/0330170307.html

http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/april9http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/april99/features/harvest/harvest.html9/features/harvest/harvest.html