Rapid prototyping and manufacturing

There are many classifications of rapid-prototyping techniques, but perhaps the simplest is the broad classification into liquid-based and solid-based techniques. Liquid-based techniques are focussed on systems that are initially in the liquid state and are controllably cured into a final product shape. Solid-based techniques involve an initial solid preform or powdered sample that is melted, fused or sintered together into a final product. 

Since this book is focussed on chemorheological processes, we will focus on rapid prototyping and manufacturing processes that include reactive processing (mther than the rapid-prototyping techniques involving only physical transformations, i.e. sintering of metals, ceramics or thermoplastics). 

Advantages of stereolithography are the excellent dimensional accuracy, excellent surface hnish, variable vat size and ability to use a range of materials. The disadvantages are the need for handling of liquid photopolymers and the requirement of post-processing (removal of supports) and post-curing in some cases. 

Quality-control tests and important process variables 

Process variables that control the functionality of the part include 

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P.M. Dickens (ed.), Proc. Third European Conf. on Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing, University of Nottingham, England, 1994. 

Society of Manufacturing Engineers Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Conference and Exposition Contact (313) 271-1500, ext. 629, or fax (313) 271-2861. 

Jacobs, P.F. Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Fundamentals of Stereolithography Society of Manufacturing Engineers Dearborn, 1992. 

Web portal facilitates interactionbetween customers and three competency networks engineering services, rapid prototyping, and manufacturing. Participating SMEs benefit from cooperating with others in the network, as their combined competencies provide competitive advantage. Harrison and van Hoek (2005) describe a district portal initiative which assists more than 100 small companies in the Macerata shoe district of Italy with B2B relationships and order management. 

Generative laser-based techniques for 3D microfabrication are widely used and their importance is likely to grow as the need for rapid prototyping and manufacturing as well as customization of a variety of products is increasing. 

P.E. Jacobs (ed.). Rapid Prototyping and Technology Fundamentals of Stereolithography, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Dearborn (1992). 

Opportunities and Risks of Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Manufacturing-Systems... 

Fig.1 Structure of the technology of additive manufacturing and its applications rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing as well as its correlation with Prototype Tooling, Direct Tooling, and Indirect Tooling...

New PC/ABS blends include one with good thermal and mechanical qualities from the US Stratasys company. It has been specifically developed for rapid prototyping and rapid production. The benefit to electronic component and other manufacturers is the ability to model with the same material as... 

Combines high-performance properties such as excellent thermal stability, toughness, impact resistance, hydrolysis resistance, and stresscracking resistance. It typically is used in the aerospace and automotive industries and in rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing. It has outstanding color, transparency, and impact strength up to 200 °C. PPSU has the best overall chemical resistance of the commercial PSUs. 

Besides such basic aspects concerning the shape of and materials for microreaction devices, costs play a major role in the selection of a microfabrication process. In this respect, the number of pieces and the precision that is really required, as well as aspects like availability and manufacturing experience, must be taken into account. In contrast to the situation some years ago, the prerequisites for cost-effective mass fabrication as well as small-scale production or rapid prototyping have essentially changed. Modem commercial equipment for the production of microdevices is available that allows unreliable and uneconomic laboratory-scale manufacturing devices to be replaced. 

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