DEARBORN, Mich. February 21, 2008 - Tim Gornet, a University of Louisville engineer and Society of Manufacturing Engineers' (SME) RAPID 2008 conference advisor and presenter, had the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase Rapid prototyping technology for a good cause on a recent airing of the hit ABC show, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Gornet was part of a dedicated team of engineers at the University's Rapid Prototyping Center that helped a blind young man, Patrick Henry Hughes "see" his family's new and more accessible home. Hughes, who was born without eyes, was able to feel the shape and layout of a plastic, perfectly scaled-to-size model of his family's new home during the show's famous "Move that bus!" big reveal.

Gornet said his team started with two-dimensional layouts, then developed a three-dimensional computerized model. The 3-D model was then loaded into a select laser sintering device, which melts powdered plastic and then slowly builds the actual piece up by layers. The project took 57 hours, including 25 hours for computer modeling, 22 hours in the machine and another 10 to get it ready with gluing and other finishing touches.

"The long hours were absolutely worth it," he added. "We completed the model by midnight in order to meet the show's 8 a.m. deadline. We were not only able to showcase how additive manufacturing enabled Patrick to "see" his new home and experience his family's joy, but also share this new possibility with other visually-impaired people."

Gornet, one of TCT's Top 25 Most Influential People in Rapid, will share this inspiring story as well as his prototyping expertise as a part of the "What's Cool!" presentation during SME's RAPID 2008 Conference and Exposition at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. As a Rapid Conference Advisor, Gornet also shared his technical know-how to help shape this four-day, premier event. From May 20-22, 2008, attendees can choose from a variety of hot topic presentations and discover new advances in Rapid Manufacturing, Rapid Prototyping, Medical Applications, Castings, 3D Scanning, and What's Cool!.

This highly anticipated event also will feature: unforgettable tours of NASA's Cape Canaveral and a Lockheed Martin Rapid Prototyping Lab, three days of exhibits, workshops, technology briefings, specialized tech group meetings, a networking reception along with dozens of engaging presentations such as the Bright Minds Mentor Program sponsored by GM. There also will be A Design for Direct Digital Manufacturing Student Competition. All the while, attendees and their families may enjoy several onsite or nearby amenities such as championship golf courses, a health club, pools, world-class theme park Disney World and many other Orlando-area attractions. For more information including registration, please visit www.sme.org/rapid.

To view the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition featuring Patrick Henry Hughes, please visit www.abc.go.com, click on the red Full Episodes tab, select the show and then "The Hughes Family."

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About The University of Louisville's Rapid Prototyping Center:
The Rapid Prototyping Center works with industry ranging from Fortune 100 companies to individual inventors to develop prototypes of products as well as direct digital manufacturing without the need for tooling. The models help companies more quickly detect flaws, make improvements and get their products to market.

About RAPID 2008:
RAPID is North America's largest annual rapid manufacturing conference and exposition. The event brings buyers, sellers and end-users of design, prototyping, tooling, and direct manufacturing technologies together in an environment that facilitates networking and business interaction. Attendees can evaluate the latest materials and machinery, compare processes, talk to industry experts, and make valuable contacts. Exhibitors can meet new customers, discuss projects face-to-face and generate sales. For more information, please visit www.sme.org/rapid.

About SME:
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (www.sme.org) is the world's leading professional society supporting manufacturing education. Through its member programs, publications, expositions and professional development resources, SME promotes an increased awareness of manufacturing engineering and helps keep manufacturing professionals up to date on leading trends and technologies. Headquartered in Michigan, SME influences more than half a million manufacturing practitioners and executives annually. The Society has members in more than 70 countries and is supported by a network of hundreds of technical communities and chapters worldwide.