Rapid Prototyping

David Szeto, Fabian Rodriguez, Kevin Chang, Matt MagallanesMay 18, 2010

Table of Contents

• What is Rapid Prototyping?

• Technology of Rapid Prototyping.

What is Rapid Prototyping?

• Also known as “Additive Manufacturing”.• Virtual designs created with help of CAD.• Thin cross-sections are made with additive

technology.• Powder, liquid, and sheet materials are used.• Layer upon layer is built until part is created.

Stereolithography (SLA)

• At each layer, a laser traces pattern of cross-section in resin.

• Resin is developed with UV light.

• Elevator descends by one layer thickness to make next layer.

• Process repeated to create entire part.

Stereolithography (SLA)

• Each resin refill costs $6,000.

• Sony SLAs needs to be constantly serviced.

• Warranty not affordable.

• Durable. “Sony builds things to withstand a nuclear explosion,” Ed Tackett.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)• Similar to SLA, but

powder is used instead of resin.

• SLS can use a wide range of build materials.

• Sintered under controlled environment.

• Melted powder that drips off part is collected and reused.

Laser Cutting

• Thermal process in cutting.

• Can be used to engrave.• Wide range of materials

can be cut, from wood to Kevlar.

• DO NOT CUT FLAMMABLE MATERIAL.

Laser Scanning

• By measuring flight time of laser hitting an object, a detailed model of object can be compiled.

• Backscattering from wall can be a problem.

• Need to tell computer how far away object is.

• Can directly input model into SolidWorks.