All posts tagged: engineering

Robotics Team Visits Realize

Realize, Inc is proud to support local science and technology students in the Indianapolis area.
We sponsor the Fishers High School Robotics Team. The robotics team is called TigerDynasty (FRC Team #5010) and is associated with FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.)

Recently the FHS Robotics Team visited Realize headquarters to show off their new robot that we helped them to design. Realize provided the students with a tour of our facility while they were introducing us to their impressive robot.

Check out the video from the visit as they put the robot into action. Play Ball!

“We believe that robotics and 3D printing will definitely work together in the future. Even on this year’s robot used at the Boilermaker Regional Competition, one of our team mentors had a personal 3D printer and we utilized 3D printing to create a gyroscope mount for our robot. With that example, we believe that 3D printing and rapid prototyping will be crucial in the success of robots in the future.”

– Ryusuke Saito, the Vice President an co-founder of FHS Robotics Team

December 5, 2014 Blog

Volvo Truck 3D Model

The Realize Featured Project: Volvo Truck 3D Model

Realize, Inc. worked with Auto Research Center to create a 3D Printed model of a Volvo truck.

“When Steve (ARC) came to us for help we were very happy to be a part of it. This SLA project is especially unique because it is going to be on display in our customers lobby. These are fun projects for the whole team and when it all comes together like this- it is always exciting to see the finished model.”

-Alan Conlu, Sales Manager at Realize, Inc.

We asked ARC’s Engineering Manager, Steve Roskowski, a few questions about the project.

Realize: How did this project come about?

Steve: The Volvo truck model came about to fill a void in our OEM tractor inventory. We do quite a bit of testing for both aftermarket aero device manufacturers, fleets and regulatory agencies. Several had requested the 670 VNL for their testing, so we completed it to satisfy customer requests.

What do you plan to do with this prototype?

The model is now available for any customer to use to advance their knowledge of tractor trailer aerodynamics.

What makes this design different then what’s out there now?

So far as we know, this is the only publicly available wind tunnel model of the Volvo 670 VNL for rent.

Tell us about the design process and how much time is involved for a project like this.

We started the design by renting a full sized truck, bringing to ARC and laser scanning it. From there it was converted to surface files and the model designed from there. The overall design process took about two months. Before we release the files to you, we have the whole model built in the CAD world to check for interferences and fits.

The hardest part in the process of creating this prototype 3D model was?

The most difficult part is scanning such a large object. The physical size simply creates unique problems that we need to work around. Since we have scanned many other vehicles for the same purpose we have a good handle on it and can get to the solution fairly quickly.

November 13, 2014 Blog

Realize the first in US to install Somos PerFORM

At Realize we are always looking for the latest new products and technologies to provide our clients with the best and most effective tools for their projects. So it’s no surprise we are the first company in the US to use the new Somos PerForm material.

“Somos PerFORM offers heat resistance and stiffness unlike anything currently in our portfolio. It’s the first composite material we’ve installed and we’re looking forward to seeing the applications our diverse clients find for it.”

– Todd Reese, President- Realize, Inc.

For more information about Somos PerForm CLICK HERE

When your project calls for parts that require thermal stability, extreme accuracy and a quick turnaround, turn to our latest composite material — Somos® PerFORM. Available for both 355 and 365 nm photopolymer-based machines, parts made with this material exhibit superior sidewall quality, along with excellent detail resolution. In addition, Somos® PerFORM is exceptional for parts that are designed for wind tunnel testing and unique applications in rapid tooling.

Excellent detail resolution, Faster, easier processing & finishing Superior high heat tolerance Expanded applications, Ideal for a variety of applications.

With its excellent high heat tolerance, outstanding detail resolution and stiffness, Somos® PerFORM is the ideal material for applications including:

• Tooling • Electrical Casings
• Wind Tunnel Testing • Automotive Housings
• High Temperature Testing

October 31, 2014 Blog

Realize Sponsors High School Robotics Team

Realize, Inc. is proud to support local science and technology students in the Indianapolis area. Recently we sponsored the Hamilton Southeastern High School Robotics Team. We talked with HSE Physics/Pre-Engineering Teacher Jeff Wilkins about the program.

Tell me about the HSE Robotics Team, What does your team do?

HSE Robotics, aka Royal Robotics, started back in 2005. That year, my Principles of Engineering (POE) classes participated in BEST Robotics (www.bestinc.org) and the Digital Electronics (DE) class participated in Botball (www.botball.org). The robotics club at HSE now participates in the VEX Robotics Competition (www.vexrobotics.com) and has been competing since 2010. BEST Robotics requires students to make a robot out of common materials from scratch. Plywood, PVC and some sheet metal are the main materials used to create these robots. My Engineering Design and Development (EDD) class still participates in this competition to this day. Botball is a completely autonomous robotics competition that requires the team to build a robot out of a lego platform and an iCreate (from the company that brought us the Roomba, iRobot). Students have 8 weeks to design, build and program a robot to complete the task for the year. VEX Robotics is where our after school Robotics Club will compete. This competition uses materials that are used in the PLTW program and the parts and pieces are premade, so designing and assembling a robot is very quick and easy.

Why is this team important for students and the school?

We have over 50 students participating in Robotics Club this year, as well as, 22 students in EDD that are participating in the BEST Robotics Competition.

How did the Realize Sponsorship help your team?

Your generous donation allowed us to purchase a GCC Laserpro Spirit GX laser cutter which is used for fundraisers for robotics club and to cut the main chassis of our robots for the BEST Competition.

What do you love about Robotics?
Robotics is sports for geeks. It has all of the excitement, hard work, and practice of athletic sports and allows students to excel on a different playfield.

How can you see Robotics and 3D Printing working together in the future?
Yes, we will be using our 3D printer to create parts and pieces for an R2D2 that we will be building next semester. It allows someone to design the robot in a 3D modeling software and get a prototype very quickly without expensive and time consuming machining.

What do you think students need more information on regarding the additive manufacturing industry?
All of the different types that are available. Most just think of FDM because that is what we have at HSE, but there are so many other options out there.

If you could 3D Print anything, what would that be?

Well, since I own one, I can print about anything I want, but 3D printing a house out of concrete would be really cool. My favorite item to 3D print so far were a bunch of digital sculpts that the Tech Art Club at Fall Creek Intermediate students designed. They were very excited to get a physical model of what they had designed on their iPad’s using 123D Creature App.

*If you have any questions or are interested in sponsoring you can contact Jeff. [email protected] 317-594-4190 ext. 11521.

October 21, 2014 Blog

Realize Featured Project: 3D Toilet

3D Printed Toilet by Realize, Inc.

Realize Featured Project: The 3D Toilet

Here is a summary of this recent project from Realize, Inc. General Manager Brian Cazzell:

“The client needed a working SLA model of their toilet design to use at a trade show. The primary requirement was that it needed to be clear in order to demonstrate water flowing through the internal channels. Due to the platform size restraints of the SLA5000 machine, we needed to build the model in sections and create an inter-locking structure that when bonded together would maintain a water-tight seal for the duration of the trade show. The model also needed to be completely free of support material not only for aesthetic purposes but also to allow the water to flow freely through the channels. In the end, the client was very happy with the functionality and the overall fit and finish of this model.”

October 15, 2014 Blog

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