Rapid Prototyping: a Tool for Product Development

Abstract

This paper discusses the current status of layer-based manufacturing Rapid Prototyping (RP) technology and how it is being successfully implemented as a tool for product development (PD). A brief introduction to RP is given, focusing on the limitations of existing technology. Future trends for RP development are then discussed with further consideration for software issues in future applications.

The implication of rapid technologies on the design process

“…Previous qualitative studies highlighted that designers who create designs for additive manufacturing tend to ignore design for manufacturability guidelines (constraints) and actually create complex designs that are often impossible to be produced with conventional processes [15,[17][18][19]. Therefore, the notion is that designers who design for additive manufacturing will produce more novel and functional designs, with higher design variety and harder to manufacture designs compared to those who design for conventional processes.…”

“…The analysis revealed the degree of designer's frustration did not differ between additive and conventional groups (U=156, p = 0.3299), as shown in Fig.10. The interview results indicated that sources for additive group frustration were 38.5% from ideation, 15.4% from re-design and 23.1% from 3D modeling.…”

“…Considerable research has focused on the advantages of AM in providing more design freedom [15][16][17][18][19] and enabling mass customization [17,20,21]. If a conventional process like casting is to be used, it is usually required to have draft on surfaces, limits on wall thickness, no reentrant geometry and numerous other geometric restrictions because of pattern/mold tooling.…”

Process planning for rapid manufacturing of plastic injection mold for short run production

“…These RP systems create parts using materials such as plastics, ceramics and few limited metals. This limitation in materials usually keeps RP technology from being used for the manufacturing of actual functional parts [Gibson (2005)].…”