Laser Reproductions Rapid Prototyping Process on Display at COSI
Rat Mascot is Display Star
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Rapid prototyping, manufacturing and product development company, Laser Reproductions, is demonstrating the process of rapid 3-D prototyping by crafting COSI’s lovable and curious rat mascot, RATi0 for its “Turning Digital Designs Into Reality” display within COSI’s new Innovation Showcase Exhibit.
“Laser Reproductions realistically reproduced ‘Rapid Prototype RATiO’ for the exhibit at the request of COSI’s design team,” said Laser Reproductions vice president, Bret Bordner. “Laser’s display utilizes stereolithography, the process of rapid prototyping used to create a three dimensional model by exposing a liquid resin in an ultraviolet laser.”
“Turning Digital Designs Into Reality” shows an encased RATiO model in various stages of development during the prototype project and explains the process of prototyping. Also included in the Laser Reproductions display is a videotape of the RATiO prototype’s creation process. The video player is connected to an interactive wheel that allows guests to spin forward and backward to see the process in slow or fast motion.
“COSI asked Laser Reproductions to become involved with the Innovation Showcase exhibit because the company is known for its innovative work with rapid prototyping,” says Doug Powhida, COSI design manager. “During the design process, Laser Reproductions responded to COSI’s requests for several changes to meet COSI’s display size, made several useful design suggestions and went above and beyond expectations by creating different sizes and models of RATiO which ultimately created a better display for COSI visitors.”
COSI’s Innovation Showcase is designed to inform visitors about great people, products and solutions to problems that are happening in Ohio. Created as an innovation itself, the exhibit provides a flexible space where COSI introduces innovations on a rotating basis. Laser’s “Turning Digital Designs Into Reality” is currently shown among other Innovation Showcase displays including the new Alternative Fuel High Performance Race Car from Rahal/Letterman Racing, Self-Resetting Crash Barrier sponsored by Batelle and Balance Plate from Bertec.
Based in Gahanna, Ohio, Laser Reproductions specializes in rapid prototyping, manufacturing and product development. By combining today’s leading processes, a vast production capacity and expertise in design engineering, Laser Reproductions works as a full-service partner for industrial firms, original equipment manufacturers, inventors and architects. The innovative company currently has developed 13 patented and three patent-pending products. Founder Jerry Bordner was named the 2005 U. S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Person of the Year for the state of Ohio and the Columbus district. The company has been recognized as a 2005 and 2006 Fast 50 recipient by Columbus Business First as one of the fastest growing companies in central Ohio, as a 2006 Family Business of the Year by the Family Business Center of Central Ohio and made Inc.’s 2007 Inc. 5,000 list. For more information visit www.laserrepro.com or call 614-552-6905.
COSI is one of the most respected science centers in the nation, serving more than 20 million visitors since 1964. COSI features more than 300 interactive exhibits throughout our discovery-based and themed exhibition areas. COSI’s groundbreaking, award-winning education programs have touched more than six million teachers and students. For more information on hours and rates go to www.cosi.org
