Some founders and many former employees of Howtek left and joined 3D printing companies. Richard Helinksi formed C.A.D.-Cast, Inc on October 27, 1989 (renamed to Visual Impact Corporation), a 3D printer company to build the Sculptor but later gave up after receiving a 3D Patent US 5136515A on August 4, 1992 and licensed it to Sanders Prototype, Inc in 1993. Herb Menhennett joined Ballistic Particle Manufacturing (BPM) in 1993 with the Personal Modeler product. Both companies used Howtek style inkjets and thermoplastic materials. No fewer than 3 presidents of 3D companies were former Howtek employees and designers, VP's, engineers ( including the inkjet engineer), chemists, buyers, secretaries and technicians have all gone on to 3D companies.