Rapid Prototyping and Solid Free Form Fabrication

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (4B) ◽  
pp. 811-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Conley ◽  
H. L. Marcus
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Computer Integrated Manufacturing ◽  
Free Form ◽  
New Materials ◽  
Integrated Manufacturing ◽  
Commercial Practice ◽  
Manufacturing Environments ◽  
Solid Free Form Fabrication ◽  
Additive Methods

This article will give a brief review of the start-of-the-art in commercial practice and advanced research in the field of Rapid Prototyping with special attention to the additive methods of Solid Free Form Fabrication. Recent applications of this technology in computer integrated manufacturing environments will be outlined. Future applications and research in new materials will also be addressed.

Thermal Analysis of a New Metal-Deposition Rapid Prototyping Process

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald K. Worth ◽  
Philip Barkan
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Finite Difference ◽  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Metal Deposition ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Key Innovation ◽  
Critical Problems ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Solid Free Form Fabrication

Abstract Rapid prototyping with solid free-form fabrication (SFF) is a key innovation that makes it possible to rapidly produce physical parts directly from a CAD model. Recent research focuses on SFF systems which directly fabricate metal parts. This paper introduces the Stanford Solid Plotter (SSP), a new SFF system that forms prototypes using metal-deposition. Since many critical problems in metal deposition relate to heat transfer issues, the main focus of the paper is on key aspects of the thermal behavior of the SSP part fabrication process, namely the deposition, freezing and cooling of a workpiece. Predictions from a finite difference heat transfer model are used to improve both the precision and strength of actual workpieces made with the SSP. Lab experiments using thermocouples confirm the behavior of the finite difference model.

Reverse engineering and rapid prototyping for solid free-form fabrication

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Stanley ◽  
Robert N. Yancey ◽  
Qizhi Cao ◽  
Nicolas J. Dusaussoy
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Reverse Engineering ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Solid Free Form Fabrication

Implementing a model-based generic user interface for computer integrated manufacturing systems

1998 ◽  
Vol 212 (7) ◽  
pp. 501-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
R P Monfared ◽  
A Hodgson ◽  
B A Bowen ◽  
A A West
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Manufacturing Systems ◽  
Computer Integrated Manufacturing ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Industrial Case Study ◽  
Integrated Manufacturing ◽  
Software Applications ◽  
Communication Techniques ◽  
And Control ◽  
Manufacturing Environments

Computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) systems are complex in terms of performing a variety of activities, maintaining a range of information and involving various classes of users with differing levels of knowledge and skills, and different levels and time spans of decision making. Much investment and effort has been made to formalize and automate the performance of the CIM elements in a manufacturing system. However, each CIM subsystem will typically have its own terminology, procedures and presentation formats. This places a heavy and unnecessary burden on users, resulting in frustration and reduced effectiveness. Research has been carried out by the Manufacturing Systems Integration Research Institute at Lough-borough University towards the generation of a user-oriented interface for CIM systems. This research has resulted in a conceptual approach, which incorporates a generic user—task model, which enables the generation of flexible and reusable software components to form a semigeneric user interface for CIM users. The CIM user interface provides presentation tools to monitor and control the performance of the CIM elements. Advanced modelling and integration technologies have been deployed to enable the system to cover a wide area of manufacturing domains. These technologies include modern manufacturing modelling architectures such as CIMOSA and GERAM, and advanced communication techniques such as those used by Web-based software applications in manufacturing environments. The implementation issues of the generic user interface concept, together with its application within an industrial case study are discussed in this paper.

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