BALLISTIC PARTICLE BALLISTIC PARTICLE MANUFACTURING (BPM)MANUFACTURING (BPM)

BPM HistoryBPM History

BPM was invented by Bill Masters. BPM was BPM was invented by Bill Masters. BPM was patented in 1987, and in 1988, Masters patented in 1987, and in 1988, Masters founded Perceptions Systems Inc.founded Perceptions Systems Inc.

In 1992 their name was changed to BPM In 1992 their name was changed to BPM Technology Inc. Technology Inc.

The company collapsed in 1997 but their The company collapsed in 1997 but their patent still held. patent still held.

BPM History Cont.BPM History Cont.

The first BPM machine was represented as a The first BPM machine was represented as a compact office modeler. compact office modeler.

BPM manufacturing’s role in the rapid BPM manufacturing’s role in the rapid prototype environment was as one of the prototype environment was as one of the pioneers of ink jet based office friendly pioneers of ink jet based office friendly systems which several vendors supply to the systems which several vendors supply to the market.market.

BPM HistoryBPM History

Bill Masters first described BPM as Bill Masters first described BPM as a spit wad. “When you shoot a lot a spit wad. “When you shoot a lot of wads,” he said, “they begin to of wads,” he said, “they begin to take shape, and if you can control take shape, and if you can control the direction of the wads and the the direction of the wads and the motion of the device that's motion of the device that's shooting them, you can produce shooting them, you can produce any desired shape.” any desired shape.”

BPM TechnologyBPM Technology

The BPM personal modeler came with all hardware The BPM personal modeler came with all hardware and software enclosed in one compact unit.and software enclosed in one compact unit.

The BPM is controlled by a DOS based 486 The BPM is controlled by a DOS based 486 powered PC which is housed within the unit. powered PC which is housed within the unit.

The BPM utilized ink jet or droplet based The BPM utilized ink jet or droplet based manufacturing techniques, where it builds the manufacturing techniques, where it builds the models by firing micro-droplets of molten wax models by firing micro-droplets of molten wax material from a moving nozzle or jet onto a material from a moving nozzle or jet onto a stationary platform, the platform then lowers and stationary platform, the platform then lowers and the process is repeated for each layer of the the process is repeated for each layer of the model. model.

BPM Technology Cont. BPM Technology Cont.

The part is built as a hollow shell. The part is built as a hollow shell. The parts can be scaled, rotated, or translated The parts can be scaled, rotated, or translated

to a desired orientation. This is performed on a to a desired orientation. This is performed on a 5 axis workstation5 axis workstation

BPM parts are not intended to be finished, BPM parts are not intended to be finished, however they may be painted. however they may be painted.

BPM employs a technology called digital BPM employs a technology called digital Microsynthesis.Microsynthesis.

1.) In the first step of the process, 1.) In the first step of the process, molten plastic is fed to a piezoelectic molten plastic is fed to a piezoelectic jetting mechanism, almost like those of jetting mechanism, almost like those of inkjet printers.inkjet printers.

2.) Next a multi-axis controlled NC 2.) Next a multi-axis controlled NC (Numerical Control) system shoots tiny (Numerical Control) system shoots tiny droplets of material onto the target, droplets of material onto the target, using the jetting mechanism. using the jetting mechanism.

BPM ProcessBPM Process

3.) Last, small droplets freeze upon 3.) Last, small droplets freeze upon contact with the surface, forming contact with the surface, forming the surface particle by particle.the surface particle by particle.

BPM Process Cont.BPM Process Cont.

BPM UsesBPM Uses

BPM parts are mainly used for concept BPM parts are mainly used for concept visualization. Due to the weakness of the visualization. Due to the weakness of the material, the parts aren’t well equipped for use material, the parts aren’t well equipped for use as functional components. as functional components.

BPM parts are useful during the design BPM parts are useful during the design process. process.

BPM AdvantagesBPM Advantages

Requires minimal post-processing.Requires minimal post-processing. Low toxicity. Low toxicity. Minimal power consumption. Minimal power consumption. Low cost of cost and materials.Low cost of cost and materials. Ability to perform in microgravity and vacuum Ability to perform in microgravity and vacuum

environments.environments. BPM has no size constraints.BPM has no size constraints. The process allows use of virtually any The process allows use of virtually any

thermoplastic. Because of this, there are no thermoplastic. Because of this, there are no heath hazards involved.heath hazards involved.

BPM DisadvantagesBPM Disadvantages

Parts produced lack strength and Parts produced lack strength and durability. durability.

The Future of BPMThe Future of BPM

Incremental Fabrication Incremental Fabrication TechnologiesTechnologies- Developed system similar to BPM’s- Developed system similar to BPM’s

- System focuses on metal materials rather - System focuses on metal materials rather than plasticthan plastic

- There have been successful fabrications out - There have been successful fabrications out of tin and aluminumof tin and aluminum

- Major advantage of this product is the ability - Major advantage of this product is the ability to produce large metal partsto produce large metal parts

Texas Instruments:Texas Instruments:- - Printed Computer TomographyPrinted Computer Tomography

- Major advantage is PCT has a building speed of one - Major advantage is PCT has a building speed of one layer per minute.layer per minute.

US Navy:US Navy:- - Electrosetting also called programmable moldingElectrosetting also called programmable molding

- Technology uses electric fields to shape objects.- Technology uses electric fields to shape objects.- System consists of a computer, electrode printer, and - System consists of a computer, electrode printer, and high voltage power supply.high voltage power supply.- Major advantage of Electro setting is the ability to - Major advantage of Electro setting is the ability to electically predetermine the material properties. electically predetermine the material properties.

The Future of BPMThe Future of BPM

US Navy:US Navy:- - Electrosetting also called programmable moldingElectrosetting also called programmable molding

- Technology uses electric fields to shape objects.- Technology uses electric fields to shape objects.

- System consists of a computer, electrode printer, - System consists of a computer, electrode printer, and high voltage power supply.and high voltage power supply.

- Major advantage of Electro setting is the ability to - Major advantage of Electro setting is the ability to electrically predetermine the material properties.electrically predetermine the material properties.

- Using this technology, one can program density, - Using this technology, one can program density, compressibility, hardness, and adhesion.compressibility, hardness, and adhesion.

The Future of BPMThe Future of BPM

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Rapid Prototyping TechnologyRapid Prototyping Technology

Kenneth G. CooperKenneth G. Cooper

http://ime.ucla.eduhttp://ime.ucla.edu

http://memdrexel.eduhttp://memdrexel.edu

http://eov.gvsu.eduhttp://eov.gvsu.edu