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Help about system and part prices?

Dear sir / madam,

I would like to introduce myself briefly. My name is IV and I am a Technical University student from Holland. This will be my last year of college and I am working on the subject Rapid Prototyping. This technique is very new in Holland, that is why this is an interesting subject.

But I need your help. I have got this assignment: I have to make sure that a technical university will buy a Rapid Prototyping machine. I have got a lot of information but I need more information about prices.

I need some information about the prices of the various machines and techniques. I also need some information about the prices of a prototype per machine / technique. I have to compare these prices and after that I am able to make the right decision. Which machine will be the best for the Technical University?

It would be great if you are able to help me! I will send you a drawing with .STL files. Hopefully you are able to find out how much this prototype will cost per machine / technique. And hopefully you can give me an indication about the prices of the various machines.

I am looking forward to your reply!

With kind regards,
IV

IV:
We have no specific information on prices for machines, or parts - and they vary quite a bit even among service bureaus providing similar technologies. Very few side by side comparisons have been made over the years and all are outdated pretty quickly.

See this page for an overview:

http://home.att.net/~castleisland/rp_int1.htm

FYI most schools getting started in the field these days purchase either a low-cost Z Corp. or Dimension (Stratasys) machine (about US$19K -> $25K). My guess is that Z Corp. technology has the strong edge for these applications because the material costs are much lower, speeds are much faster, and machines can be upgraded for color output. Dimension offers stronger materials, however.

You can also have service bureaus automatically quote the same part using different technologies using in many cases their automated systems. This might give you some idea of costs, as well. Look at this page:

http://home.att.net/~castleisland/emkt_01.htm

This is probably not going to tell you that much, though. Prices are not exclusively based on technology. It is another data point, however.

You can also find other schools and universities to query about their experiences and that's probably the most useful route. Use our academic directory, and also put your inquiry on the RPML (but don't attach a huge file as you have to this letter). Many academic users on the list will be quite happy to speak to you and discuss this if you're specific and ask nicely.

One school to consider particularly getting in touch with is Saddleback Univ. They're developing materials that address this question. The link is on this page:

http://home.att.net/~castleisland/u03_lks.htm

Regards,

Ed Grenda
Castle Island Co.
The Worldwide Guide to Rapid Prototyping

Dear Ed Grenda,

I would like to thank you for your early reply. I am sure that your information is very helpful! Thank you.

With kind regards,