Stratasys FDM 2000 Manual page 52

A-4
Conceptual Models
The speed and accuracy of the FDM hardware allows engineers to produce a new
part each time the product undergoes a revision. In addition, a full-scale proto-
type of a proposed part, handed out at the final presentation or included with the
proposal package, has strong appeal for prospective clients.
One industry in which such concept models are especially important is shoe
design and manufacture. A major shoe manufacturer may create hundreds of
new heel designs each year. Normally, each heel style is produced in only one
size. After this prototype is accepted, additional models are created for the entire
spectrum of shoe sizes, with the dimensions of the heel graded according to shoe
sizes.
The FDM hardware can quickly and accurately produce a prototype heel and also
produce heel patterns for all sizes of that shoe model once the initial design has
been accepted! This improves both the quality of the final product (shoes) and
the productivity of their manufacture.
Applications Manual
Applications Conceptual Models
10MAY01
Reference