Rapid Prototyping

Rapid Prototyping


ABSTRACT

The world of economy is witnessing a regime of globalization and trade liberalization. These changes have brought in an intense competition in the manufacturing engineering industries. More ever, the competition is not on a local scale. One aspect of such a competitive environment is the need to develop new, improved products in a shorter development cycle time. The product development process requires huge investment time. With the advent of technology like computer Aided Design and Computer aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM),it has been already found that the development process can be made more efficient. However, the technologies of Rapid Prototyping and Tooling coupled with CAD/CAM technique now provide a powerful technological platform for product development activities.

This first chapter of this paper includes introduction of RP and basic steps in producing RP component. Second chapter covers different processes of rapid prototyping such as Stereolithography, Solid Ground Curing, Selective Object Manufacturing and comparison of these processes. The next part consists of data transfer to RPT, applications of RPT.

Hence, the rise of Rapid Prototyping has spurred progress in traditional subtractive methods as well. Advances in computerized path planning, numeric control, and machine dynamics are increasing the speed and accuracy of machining. Thus days are not far off when RP machines might as common as CAD/CAM workstation and perhaps even replace conventional manufacturing technique.