Right before our eyes, the Stratasys Titan Rapid Prototype Machine (RPM) created a solid, three-dimensional object from nothing. At least that’s how it appeared.

The machine “built” an object (in this case, a crescent wrench) in its “oven,” weaving the wrench with polymers and other ingredients. The demonstration was conducted recently by technicians at Lewis and Clark Community College.

The $275,000 RPM was purchased recently by L&C to be used in a mechanical engineering curriculum in partnership with the SIUE School of Engineering. It also will be made available to businesses and organizations on a contractual basis.

The amazing part, though, was that the wrench was not made in separate pieces and then assembled. The wrench came out of the RPM fully functional—that is, after it had its bath.

Manufacturers have historically used prototypes in creating a new product, but such prototypes are costly and take time to produce. The RPM enables a client to see an operating prototype in a matter of hours at fraction of the cost.

The polymers are woven in the RPM, contained in a material that holds the prototype together while it is being created. After the item is complete, a technician places the prototype in a chemical “bath” that washes away the material, leaving the item free-standing.

Students who are being instructed in use of the RPM will be an elite group because there are only a handful of these machines in the real world. L&C Board Chairman Robert Watson said the RPM, currently located at the Godfrey campus, is the only one of its kind in the Midwest. “Lewis and Clark is one of only a few community colleges in the nation to have this manufacturing technology,” Watson said.

“Although the machine is being used at the Godfrey campus by students in the CAD/Drafting and Engineering Technology Programs, it will soon be permanently relocated, along with the SIAM partnership, to Lewis and Clark’s N.O. Nelson Campus in Edwardsville when the final phase of construction is complete in 2007.”

SIAM (Southwestern Illinois Advanced Manufacturing) is the entity created through the joint initiative of SIUE and L&C to help sustain and develop the regional economy by engaging in activities designed to retain the existing manufacturing base, as well as promote the creation of new products, technologies and enterprises.

The initiative is helping create applied manufacturing research, workforce development and training, and traditional education and outreach. L&C President Dale Chapman said he is excited about how the new technology can offer to area businesses and to the students of both institutions. “We have already had conversations with many of our area manufacturing corporations, and they are all very interested and excited about using the new technology to assist in their product development,” Chapman said.

“The new technology will advance the capabilities of our area manufacturers, and, by using state-of-the-art technology to teach SIUE and L&C students, we also will be training the future workforce of the region with the most advanced engineering equipment.”

SIUE Engineering Dean Paul Seaburg pointed out that the collaboration between SIUE and L&C will produce several benefits across engineering disciplines and specifically in the field of manufacturing engineering. “With the SIUE School of Engineering’s continued interest in sharing its resources, both as a tool for economic development and as a research opportunity to strengthen the region’s manufacturing technology, we’re confident the SIAM project will succeed on both the educational and research levels,” Seaburg said.

“With Lewis and Clark’s partnering, SIUE is now providing excellent opportunities to help not only our students but also local and regional manufacturers.”

Published by: Office of Public Affairs