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Characteristics of products generated by selective sintering and stereolithography rapid prototyping processesThe trend in the modern global economy towards free market policies has motivated companies to use rapid prototyping technologies to not only reduce product development cycle time but also to maintain their competitive edge. A rapid prototyping technology is one which combines computer aided design with computer controlled tracking of focussed high energy source (eg. lasers, heat) on modern ceramic powders, metallic powders, plastics or photosensitive liquid resins in order to produce prototypes or models. At present, except for the process of shape melting, most rapid prototyping processes generate products that are only dimensionally similar to those of the desired end product. There is an urgent need, therefore, to enhance the understanding of the characteristics of these processes in order to realize their potential for production. Currently, the commercial market is dominated by four rapid prototyping processes, namely selective laser sintering, stereolithography, fused deposition modelling and laminated object manufacturing. This phase of the research has focussed on the selective laser sintering and stereolithography rapid prototyping processes. A theoretical model for these processes is under development. Different rapid prototyping sites supplied test specimens (based on ASTM 638-84, Type I) that have been measured and tested to provide a data base on surface finish, dimensional variation and ultimate tensile strength. Further plans call for developing and verifying the theoretical models by carefully designed experiments. This will be a joint effort between NASA and other prototyping centers to generate a larger database, thus encouraging more widespread usage by product designers.
Document ID
19940019939
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Cariapa, Vikram
(Marquette Univ. Milwaukee, WI, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Alabama Univ., The 1993 NASA(ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Accession Number
94N24412
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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