scholarly journals THE USE OF RAPID PROTOTYPING IN UNDERGRADUATE DESIGN EDUCATION

Author(s):  
R. O. Buchal ◽  
D. Phillips

The building and testing of physical prototypes has always been a key phase of the engineering design process. Often, students rush to the prototype stage with insufficient modeling and analysis. As a result, the process resembles “trial and error” more than systematic engineering design. Furthermore, engineering schools lack the facilities and students lack the skills to construct more than very crude prototypes with little resemblance to the CAD models or to the final design. On the other hand, engineering schools typically have state-of-the-art CAD software. As an alternative to physical prototyping, the emphasis is shifting to “virtual” prototyping using CAD models and simulation. Many design attributes like appearance, performance, etc. can be established through simulation with a high degree of reliability. Furthermore, the recent availability of low cost rapid prototyping technology makes it possible to quickly and easily produce physical parts directly from the CAD model. The University of Western Ontario Faculty of Engineering has recently established a rapid prototyping facility for undergraduate design projects. The facility is available to students from all programs and years. The facility is professionally managed by technicians from University Machine Services (UMS). Several rapid prototyping technologies are available, including Fused Deposition Modelling (Stratasys FDM 3000 and Stratasys Vantage SE) and 3D printing (Z-Corp Z510 3D Printer). The Z-Corp 3D printer is capable of processing a batch of parts with a total volume of 1120 cubic inches in 20 hours, at a cost in materials of under $5 per cubic inch. The Z-Corp printer has a resolution of 600 dpi and 256 colours, and is capable of accurately reproducing all the colours on a CAD model including texture maps. To have a part made, students simply save their CAD model as a VRML file, and submit the file for processing. Jobs are batched, and the machine is setup and run by UMS personnel. Some finishing work is completed by the students. The anticipated turnaround time is a day or two, and the typical prototype cost is under $50. These services became available in January 2006. The final paper will include experiences gained over the coming weeks.

Author(s):  
Nor Aiman Sukindar ◽  
Azib Azhari Awang Dahan ◽  
Sharifah Imihezri Syed Shaharuddin ◽  
Nor Farah Huda Abd Halim

Abstract Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing (AM) process that produces a physical object directly from a CAD design using layer-by-layer deposition of the filament material that is extruded via a nozzle. In industry, FDM has become one of the most used AM processes for the production of low batch quantity and functional prototypes, due to its safety, efficiency, reliability, low cost, and ability to process manufacturing-grade engineering thermoplastic. Recently, the market is flooded with the availability of low-cost printers produced by numerous companies. This research aims to investigate the effect of different porosity levels on a scaffold structure produced using a low-cost 3D printer. Comparisons of these porous structures were made in terms of Von-Mises strain, total deformation, as well as compressive stress. Various porosity levels were created by varying printing parameters, including layer height, infill density, and shell thickness by slicing the initial solid CAD file using Repetier Host 3D printing software. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulation was then performed on the created scaffold structures by using Ansys Workbench 19.2. The simulation result indicates that the greater porosity level will result in higher total deformation of the structure. Meanwhile, the compression test shows that the minimum strength value obtained was favourable at 22 MPa and had exceeded that of the trabecular femur (15 MPa). However, its porosity level (maximum at 52%) was still below that of the minimum threshold of porosity level of 70 percent. However, the printing parameters currently used can be adjusted in the future. Therefore, it was deduced that the low-cost 3D printer offers promising potential to fabricate different porosity structures with multiple outcomes.


Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is an innovative system that can create necessary items and are significant to generate distinctive styles of articles, in unusual supplies, completely from the uniform system. FDM machine can build fair model everything from stoneware to synthetic dolls, iron machine parts, decorative chocolate cakes or regular human body parts. FDM can supersede conventional factory industrial unit with only machinery, simply like printing press swapped by bottles of ink. Nowadays these machines are available at higher costs and are used only in industrial areas. With technology available and the material used in these machines proposes a system that sparks upon making a low cost-efficient machine and materials by designing a rigid frame for the 3D printer. The result shows low cost 3D printer prototype of FDM machine and the vibration analysis with various speed at various stages for the product outcome


2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 4-12
Author(s):  
I. Brensons ◽  
S. Polukoshko

Abstract Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is one of the most effective rapid prototyping (RP) techniques due to its low cost, available materials and versatility. In FDM, a part of material (usually plastic) is made by heating this material to the molten state, and from the melt it is extruded through a nozzle and deposited on a surface. In the article, an alternative RP method is considered for improvement of the mechanical properties of a rapid prototype. The authors propose an analytical solution which allows for achievement of this purpose via advanced technologies. The base materials applied in RP technology can be combined with liquid resin which solidifies after a definite time. This makes it possible to create a channel through the prototype and fill it with another material having better mechanical properties. The optimal channel sizes can be chosen in order to raise the strength of material parts.


2018 ◽  
Vol 184 ◽  
pp. 02013
Author(s):  
Tamás Templom ◽  
Timotei István Erdei ◽  
Zsolt Molnár ◽  
Edwin Shaw ◽  
Géza Husi

The pinnacle of 3D printing is its effect on the field of rapid prototyping. The major advantage comes from the fact that designers can quickly materialize a part or object, which then could be tested in practice, and can be effortlessly modified if needed. This obviously cuts the development expenses and time by a significant percent. Moreover, it’s possible to create complex and precise shapes with the technology, which would take more time and would be resource intensive if done by older methods, for example manual or automatic machining.


Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 651 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Moises Baca Lopez ◽  
Rafiq Ahmad

The application of single homogeneous materials produced through the fused deposition modelling (FDM) technology restricts the production of high-level multi-material components. The fabrication of a sandwich-structured specimen with different material combinations using conventional thermoplastics such as poly (lactic acid) (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) through the filament-based extrusion process can demonstrate an improvement on its properties. This paper aims to assess among these materials, the best material sandwich-structured arrangement design, to enhance the mechanical properties of a part and to compare the results with the homogeneous materials selected. The samples were subjected to tensile testing to identify the tensile strength, elongation at break and Young’s modulus of each material combination. The experimental results demonstrate that applying the PLA-ABS-PLA sandwich arrangement leads to the best mechanical properties between these materials. This study enables users to consider sandwich structure designs as an alternative to manufacturing multi-material components using conventional and low-cost materials. Future work will consider the flexural tests to identify the maximum stresses and bending forces under pressure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 745-754
Author(s):  
Gurpartap Singh ◽  
Rupinder Singh ◽  
S.S. Bal

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate dimensional accuracy (Δd), surface roughness (Ra) and micro hardness (HV) of partial dentures (PD) prepared with synergic combination of fused deposition modelling (FDM) assisted chemical vapour smoothing (CVS) patterns and conventional dental casting (DC) from multi-factor optimization view point. Design/methodology/approach The master pattern for PD was prepared with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) thermoplastic on FDM set-up (one of the low cost additive manufacturing process) followed by CVS process. The final PD as functional prototypes was casted with nickel–chromium-based (Ni-Cr) alloy by varying Ni% (Z). The other input parameters were powder to water ratio P/W (X) and pH value (Y) of water used. Findings The results of this study suggest that for controlling the Δd and Ra of the PD, most important factor is X, followed by Z. For hardness of PD, the most important factor is Z. But from overall optimization viewpoint, the best settings are X-100/12, Y-10 and Z-61% (in Ni-Cr alloy). Further, based upon X-bar chart (for HV), the FDM-assisted DC process used for preparation of PD is statistically controlled. Originality/value This study highlights that PD prepared with X-100/12, Y-10 and Z-61% gives overall better results from multi-factor optimization view point. Finally, X-bar chart has been plotted to understand the statistical nature of the synergic combination of FDM, CVS and DC.


2010 ◽  
Vol 441 ◽  
pp. 155-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrike Deisinger

For tissue regeneration in medicine three-dimensional scaffolds with specific characteristics are required. A very important property is a high, interconnecting porosity to enable tissue ingrowth into the scaffold. Pore size distribution and pore geometry should be adapted to the respective tissue. Additionally, the scaffolds should have a basic stability for handling during implantation, which is provided by ceramic scaffolds. Various methods to produce such ceramic 3D scaffolds exist. In this paper conventional and new fabrication techniques are reviewed. Conventional methods cover the replica of synthetic and natural templates, the use of sacrificial templates and direct foaming. Rapid prototyping techniques are the new methods listed in this work. They include fused deposition modelling, robocasting and dispense-plotting, ink jet printing, stereolithography, 3D-printing, selective laser sintering/melting and a negative mould technique also involving rapid prototyping. The various fabrication methods are described and the characteristics of the resulting scaffolds are pointed out. Finally, the techniques are compared to find out their disadvantages and advantages.


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