SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION
PROJECT SUMMARY
Contract Id:
Proposal Number:
Project Title:
PROPOSAL FOR AN INK-JET RAPID PROTOTYPING MACHINE
Technical Abstract:
Sander's Design International is proposing an ink-jet rapid
prototyping machine (IRPM) that can shorten the development time
for many of NASA's new projects and programs. The proposed IRPM
provides NASA with the capability to make models and tool
patterns accurately, with a wider variety of materials than is
currently available with any other rapid prototyping machine.
The proposed IRPM will be accurate enough to make master tool
patterns by transforming 3-D CAD files into models with an
accuracy of 0.001" per inch or better.
The major tasks to be accomplished under Phase I of the proposed
program will be to design a fine and bulk jetting system for a
thermal ink-jet printing mechanism to provide both accuracy and
speed when building prototype models. The fine jetting system
provides for an extremely good surface finish, while the bulk
jetting system speeds up the building of models by an order of
magnitude. The bulk jetting system allows the jetting of a wider
range of materials than is currently available from other rapid
prototyping machines. To provide high accuracy patterns, a
servomechanism with continuous position feedback from the
jet-heads will be designed.
Potential Commercial Applications:
The potential applications for the proposed Ink-jet Rapid
Prototyping Machine include the following industries: automotive
manufacturers, rapid prototyping service bureaus,
electronics/electrical manufacturers, appliances/toys/consumer
products manufacturers, industrial machine manufacturers,
aerospace companies, and medical equipment manufacturers. All of
these industries can achieve faster speed to market at a
competitively lower cost with the proposed IRPM.
Name and Address of Offeror:
Sanders Design, International P.O. Box 550, Wilton, NH 03086
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) &
Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) Programs
Electronic Management System (EMS)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The SBIR/STTR EMS site is maintained by Steve
Hu, Hughes STX.
For comments and questions, contact
webmaster@sbir.hq.nasa.gov.
Updated: Feb. 7, 1996