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Low-Cost See-Through 3D Printer That Processes a Variety
of Materials Is Suitable for Teaching RP/RM Techniques
The new RapMan 3D printer, an
affordable alternative for rapid prototyping
and rapid manufacturing (RP/
RM) that comes in kit form, has been
developed by A1 Technologies Ltd.
for educational institutions teaching
students of engineering and manufacturing
technology computer-aided
techniques. Building the RapMan
from a kit enables students as young as
14 to learn basic engineering principles.
Once the printer is assembled, it
can be used to produce 3D parts by
means of a specially designed extruder
www.etmm.info/2009/09/052
34 European Tool & Mould Making ■ September 2009
head that lays down a fine bead of
molten plastic.
Typically, 3D printing takes place
inside a black box. With the RapMan,
however, the process is completely
open to view. The machine is made
from clear acrylic parts that enable students
to see, and thus better understand,
the production process.
Though the machine costs just a
small fraction of the price of roughly
equivalent products, its price encompasses
everything needed to assemble
and run the equipment, including
software to slice an STL file and convert
it into the G-code read by the
RapMan. The printer is also very costeffective
to operate. Because the construction
materials cost as little as
£20/kg, a typical 3D model is extremely
inexpensive to produce.
Available extrudable materials,
which A1 supplies as filament in 1-kg
reels, include ABS, high- and lowdensity
polyethylene, polypropylene,
polystyrene, PVC, polycarbonate, and
biodegradable polylactic acid.
A1 Technologies Ltd.
LONDON, UK
www.etmm.info/2009/09/053