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    History of Rapid Prototyping

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    mk_chandru
    Rapid prototyping was invented in the late 1980s and refers to physical objects that are automatically constructed using additive manufacturing technology. It was initially used to produce models and prototypes but is now also used for small-scale manufacturing. The rapid prototyping process involves using computer-aided design software to virtually slice a 3D model into thin cross-sections and then automatically fusing or joining the layers to physically print the final object.

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    History of Rapid Prototyping

    Uploaded by

    mk_chandru
    1K views6 pages
    Rapid prototyping was invented in the late 1980s and refers to physical objects that are automatically constructed using additive manufacturing technology. It was initially used to produce models and prototypes but is now also used for small-scale manufacturing. The rapid prototyping process involves using computer-aided design software to virtually slice a 3D model into thin cross-sections and then automatically fusing or joining the layers to physically print the final object.

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    Rapid prototyping was invented in the late 1980s and refers to physical objects that are automatically constructed using additive manufacturing technology. It was initially used to produce models and prototypes but is now also used for small-scale manufacturing. The rapid prototyping process involves using computer-aided design software to virtually slice a 3D model into thin cross-sections and then automatically fusing or joining the layers to physically print the final object.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    1K views6 pages

    History of Rapid Prototyping

    Uploaded by

    mk_chandru
    Rapid prototyping was invented in the late 1980s and refers to physical objects that are automatically constructed using additive manufacturing technology. It was initially used to produce models and prototypes but is now also used for small-scale manufacturing. The rapid prototyping process involves using computer-aided design software to virtually slice a 3D model into thin cross-sections and then automatically fusing or joining the layers to physically print the final object.

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    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    Rapid prototyping involves using additive manufacturing to automatically construct physical objects from 3D model data. Some common rapid prototyping technologies discussed are selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, stereolithography, and laminated object manufacturing.

    Selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, stereolithography, laminated object manufacturing, and 3D printing are some rapid prototyping technologies discussed.

    Rapid prototyping is used to create prototypes and small production runs, while rapid manufacturing can be used for larger production runs. Rapid manufacturing is a more advanced additive fabrication technique.

    History of Rapid Prototyping Rapid prototyping is quite a recent invention.

    The first machine of rapid prototyping hit the markets in the late 1980s. The early rapid prototyping process derived its name from the activities and the purpose for which the earlier machines were utilized. What is Rapid Prototyping? Rapid prototyping refers to physical objects that are automatically constructed with the aid of additive manufacturing technology.

    Rapid prototyping in its earlier days was applied to production of models and prototype parts. But nowadays with the advancement in technology, rapid prototyping is used widely for many applications that include manufacturing production-quality parts. The manufacturing of these quality parts however are very small in numbers. Apart from industrial applications, rapid prototyping is also used in sculpting. The application of rapid prototyping in sculpting is to generate fine arts exhibitions. Rapid prototyping as mentioned earlier, involves the use of additive manufacturing technology which actually takes the virtual designs from computer aided design (CAD) or animation modeling software (AMS).

    These designs are further transformed into thin, virtual, horizontal cross sections and then the process of creating successive layers continues till the model in complete. On completion of the model, one may find that the virtual model is almost same as the physical model. Over here a process called WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) takes place wherein the final product is same as the image created. Once the layers which correspond to the virtual cross section from CAD are formed, they are either joined or fused automatically to yield the final shape. Additive fabrication has the benefit of creating any shape or geometric feature. Working of Rapid Prototyping Machines CAD software and the rapid prototyping machine are connected with a data interface that is called as the STL file format.

    This STL file format enables the approximation of a shape of a part or the entire assembly using triangular facets. Smaller the facet, higher is the quality surface. One should consider the meaning of the word rapid as relative, as the construction process of a model with the contemporary methods can take up a long time which can be several hours to several days. It actually depends upon the complexity and size of the model. The method used over here also plays an important role. Sometimes the type of machine being used also influences the time taken for the creation of a new model though the additive systems are applied. Even here the size and the number of models to be created play an equally important role. There are some other techniques that are used in the construction of parts. The technique used in solid free-form fabrication involves the use of two materials in the construction of parts. One of it is the building material of that part and the other is the support material. The use of support material is to provide support to the projecting features during construction. In case of manufacturing polymer products in higher quantities, a process called traditional injection molding is more feasible in terms of cost, but when it comes to manufacturing parts in smaller volumes, the application of additive fabrication is recommended more and is cost effective. Prototyping Technologies Some of the prototyping technologies used in various rapid prototyping machines are as follows: Selective Laser Sintering (SLS):

    This technology involves the use of high power laser for the fusion of tiny particles of plastic, metal etc, into a mass that represents a desired 3D object, through the help of a SLS

    machine. This is an additive manufacturing technique. Materials used in this technique are metal powders and thermoplastics. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM):

    This additive manufacturing technology was invented in the late 1980s by S. Scott Crump and is used for applications like modeling, prototyping and production. This technology involves the use of eutectic metals and thermoplastics. Stereo lithography (SLA):

    This also is an additive manufacturing technology and is used for production of models, patterns etc through the Stereo lithography machine. Photo-polymer is the principle material used in this technique. Laminated object manufacturing (LOM):

    Paper material is the base material used in this technology. In this method layers of adhesive-coated plastic, paper or metal laminates are fused together and cut into shape with the aid of a knife or a laser cutter. 3D Printing:

    This too is an additive manufacturing technology and involves the use of various materials. In this technology successive layers of material create a 3D object. 3D printing technology actually is said to be more affordable, easy to use and speedy than the additive manufacturing technologies. Though production applications are actually dominated by the additive manufacturing technologies, 3D has a great potential to prove useful in the production applications. Rapid prototyping, is now entering into rapid manufacturing which is more advanced as compared to rapid prototyping machines as it can be used for large products. This is an additive fabrication technique, that would be applied to the manufacturing of solid objects. This process involves the sequential delivery of energy, material (material sometimes may not be used) to the specified points in space, in order to produce a particular part. Rapid manufacturing is an advanced form of this technology.

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