Rapid Prototyping Machines - What is Rapid Prototyping

History of Rapid Prototyping

Rapid prototyping is quite a recent invention. The first machine of rapid prototype hit the markets in the late 1980s. The early rapid prototyping process derived its name from the activities and the purpose for which the earlier machines were utilized. What is Rapid Prototyping?

Rapid prototyping refers to physical objects that are automatically constructed with the aid of additive manufacturing technology. Rapid prototyping in its earlier days was applied to production of models and prototype parts. But nowadays with the advancement in technology, rapid prototyping is used widely for many applications that include manufacturing production-quality parts. The manufacturing of these quality parts however are very small in numbers. Apart from industrial applications, rapid prototyping is also used in sculpting. The application of rapid prototyping in sculpting is to generate fine arts exhibitions.

Rapid prototyping as mentioned earlier, involves the use of additive manufacturing technology which actually takes the virtual designs from computer aided design (CAD) or animation modeling software (AMS). These designs are further transformed into thin, virtual, horizontal cross sections and then the process of creating successive layers continues till the model in complete. On completion of the model, one may find that the virtual model is almost same as the physical model. Over here a process called WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) takes place wherein the final product is same as the image created. Once the layers which correspond to the virtual cross section from CAD are formed, they are either joined or fused automatically to yield the final shape. Additive fabrication has the benefit of creating any shape or geometric feature.

Working of Rapid Prototyping Machines

CAD software and the rapid prototyping machine are connected with a data interface that is called as the STL file format. This STL file format enables the approximation of a shape of a part or the entire assembly using triangular facets. Smaller the facet, higher is the quality surface. One should consider the meaning of the word rapid as 'relative', as the construction process of a model with the contemporary methods can take up a long time which can be several hours to several days. It actually depends upon the complexity and size of the model. The method used over here also plays an important role. Sometimes the type of machine being used also influences the time taken for the creation of a new model though the additive systems are applied. Even here the size and the number of Plastic mould to be created play an equally important role.

There are some other techniques that are used in the construction of parts. The technique used in solid freeform fabrication involves the use of two materials in the construction of parts. One of it is the building material of that part and the other is the support material. The use of support material is to provide support to the projecting features during construction.

In case of manufacturing polymer products in higher quantities, a process called traditional injection molding is more feasible in terms of cost, but when it comes to manufacturing parts in smaller volumes, the application of additive fabrication is recommended more and is cost effective.

Prototyping Technologies

Some of the prototyping technologies used in various rapid prototyping machines are as follows:

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): This technology involves the use of high power laser for the fusion of tiny particles of plastic, metal etc, into a mass that represents a desired 3D object, through the help of a SLS machine. This is an additive manufacturing technique. Materials used in this technique are metal powders and thermoplastics.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): This additive manufacturing technology was invented in the late 1980s by S. Scott Crump and is used for applications like modeling, prototyping and production. This technology involves the use of eutectic metals and thermoplastics.

Stereo lithography (SL): This also is an additive manufacturing technology and is used for production of Plastic mold, patterns etc through the Stereo lithography machine. Photopolymer is the principle material used in this technique.

Laminated object manufacturing (LOM): Paper material is the base material used in this technology. In this method layers of adhesive-coated Plastic mold, paper or metal laminates are fused together and cut into shape with the aid of a knife or a laser cutter.

3D Printing: This too is an additive manufacturing technology and involves the use of various materials. In this technology successive layers of material create a 3D object. 3D printing technology actually is said to be more affordable, easy to use and speedy than the additive manufacturing technologies. Though production applications are actually dominated by the additive manufacturing technologies, 3D has a great potential to prove useful in the production applications.

Rapid prototyping, is now entering into rapid manufacturing which is more advanced as compared to rapid prototype machines as it can be used for large products. This is an additive fabrication technique, that would be applied to the manufacturing of solid objects. This process involves the sequential delivery of energy, material (material sometimes may not be used) to the specified points in space, in order to produce a particular part. Rapid manufacturing is an advanced form of this technology.

Get Rid Of Mildew Stains From Material And Plastic Mould

It's so annoying to open your drapes or blinds and see the dreaded black Plastic mold on your window frame. The temperature difference from the outside and the inside creates condensation and an ideal environment for the growth of black Plastic mold.

This can be a health hazard especially if you have a family member that has allergies or asthma. There is an easy way to get rid of the mold and deter its return.

Pull back the drapes and tie them away from the window. Raise the blinds. It's not necessary to take everything apart to remove the black mold. But it's necessary to be able to get to the mold.

Full a spray bottle with water. Add one teaspoon of dish washing soap and one fourth cup vinegar. Shake to mix.

Put on disposable face mask and plastic gloves. Spray mixture on the window frame. Let set for one minute to soak into the mold. This keeps the mold spores in the air to a minimum.

Scrub with brush to loosen the black Plastic mould. Spray soap mixture as needed to keep the mold moist.

Take cloth rag and wipe mold off window frame. Turn rag often . When the rag is covered with mold throw away. Use as many rags as needed to finish job.

Soak rag in rubbing alcohol. Rub the window frame. This will dry the window frame and pick up any mold left on the frame. It helps delay the return of black mold.

Wipe moisture from window often to deter the developing of mold.Throw away any rags used in cleaning.Black mold is a health hazard . Be sure to wear protective gloves and mask.Clean window frame often. Don't let Rapid prototype accumulate.Bleach can be added if you're working outdoors. Do not use bleach inside. Fumes can be harmful.Use caution when dealing with mold it can be a health hazard.

Make A Rapid Prototype Of An Invention

A Rapid prototype of an invention is a merely a detailed plan for the construction of the invention. Depending on the nature of your idea, you may also want to develop a working model of your Rapid prototype design to show potential investors. There are a few standard steps to making a Rapid prototype of an invention.

A Rapid prototype of an invention is a merely a detailed plan for the construction of the invention. Depending on the nature of your idea, you may also want to develop a working model of your Rapid prototype design to show potential investors. There are a few standard steps to making a Rapid prototype of an invention.

Draw an "exploded" version of your invention in which you present your invention with all the parts separated from the end product. Use a CAD computer program if you have one. A good example to look at to understand how to make this drawing is the instructions that come with unassembled furniture. Each part is shown separately with path arrows showing where each piece goes. Include on this drawing a detailed description of the specification and purpose of each part of the Plastic mould.

Review your design and look for ways to eliminate cost, such as replacing materials with others that would be less expensive. For example, casting metal parts in plastic will save you money when creating your Rapid prototype. Consider the end mass manufacturing costs as well.

If you have difficulty creating your Plastic mold, hire a professional Rapid prototype designer to help you. Go online and look at registered patents to see how other inventors have presented their Rapid prototypes. This will give you a clear idea of how to create the kind of easily understood document that will help you protect the rights to your invention. For most buyers and investors, an animated model created in a CAD program will be enough for them to decide if they want to invest, and you can avoid the expense of creating a physical model.

If you do hire a designer or engineer to help you, make sure they sign a nondisclosure agreement before becoming involved with your project. This will help prevent your idea being stolen.

Rapid Prototyping Art

Rapid Prototype is the term used to denote a set of techniques used in creating a scale model of a part of a machine with the help of CAD data. It makes use of several techniques such as Stereolithography considered to be the first Rapid Prototyping process.

Selective Laser Sintering which is considered to be stronger than Stereolithography and can be used on a variety of materials, the relatively cheap Laminated Object Manufacturing although not as common as Stereolithography and Selective Laser Sintering, Fused Deposition Modeling which can be used with standard engineering thermoplastics, Solid Ground Curing that takes away the need for post-cure, and Inkjet printing techniques.

It is often said that a sign of good worker is the tendency to plan before making any more regardless if it involves small or big tasks. This kind of thing becomes even truer in the case of people who deal in manufacturing of materials.

Regardless of which technique is in use, Plastic mould follows a number of common basic steps, the first of which is to convert a CAD model into an STL format. Once this has been done, and the resolution set, the rapid prototyping machine makes sliced layers of the model. Afterwards, the first layer of the model is created and is lowered by the thickness of the succeeding layers. One this has been done, the model and the supports are removed and the surface is given some finishing touches.

This procedural model of how rapid prototyping work is actually the same mode being used in rapid tooling. In rapid tooling, the RP model is used either in quickly creating mold or as a way to fabricate the tool in a short span of time. RT can come in the form of Silicone Rubber Molding, Composite Molding and Direct AIM, among others.

In Silicone Rubber Molding technique, the mold fabrication time usually lasts for 15 days. If you want to go faster than that, you might opt to go for the RTV silicone rubber molding process. This is the last expensive rapid tooling technique and could give you about a dozen prototype parts in one mold.

Today's market offers a variety of technologies to enable the rapid prototype rapid tooling included, of parts. The differences in these technologies lie in the way layers are made in order to create the parts.

On the other hand, composite molding takes about 6 weeks but could produce up to 500 parts in one mold. They are usually cheaper and have a lower lead time than aluminum tools. Lastly, Direct AIM takes about two week for the fabrication process to finish, producing about 10 parts each day for each of the cavity.

Prototype Advantages and Rapid Prototyping Benefits

Rapid prototype Advantages is a new webpage that was just added to the new Prototyping Website that has just been released. This new webpage has all of the information you need to know of Prototyping Advantages and the main Rapid Prototyping Benefits.

“Benefits of Rapid Prototyping: Significant advantages of rapid prototyping include reduction of project cost and risk. Generally, one or more prototypes are developed in the process of software development in a series of incremental and iterative steps. Every prototype that is manufactured is based on the previous designs’ performance and it is a corrective process through which the past design defects or problems are corrected. The product is readied for production when the prototype is refined as per requirements and meets all the design goals like manufacturability, robustness and functionality.

Another great advantage of rapid prototyping is that it finds use and application in almost all the industries. The other advantages of rapid prototyping include the following.

Visualization capabilities are enhanced in the early designing phase with use of rapid prototyping. The user gets a fair idea of how the final product will look by observing the working model in early design stage.

The design flaws can be detected before manufacture process is initiated.

Rapid prototyping enables producer and users to participate actively. Active participation between the users and producer is encouraged.

The user is able to get a higher output.

The development costs are reduced considerably, hence rapid prototyping proves to be quite cost effective.

Rapid prototyping increases the speed of system development.

With rapid prototyping, it is possible to detect deficiencies in the earlier prototype, coding activities and requirement analysis.

Rapid prototyping assists in refining the potential risks that are involved in the delivery

The different aspects of the prototype can be tried and tested and immediate feedback is possible form user.

Better communication is enabled between the users and designer as there is clear expression of requirements and expectations in the start itself.

Rapid prototyping enables easy delivery of high quality product.”

The new Rapid Prototyping Benefits page is free information to members and non-members and can be found at: http://www.longxiang-ltd.com . However, users of Prototype Zone who decide to be members can join for free and receive two free E-Books on Rapid Prototyping for a limited time offer.

About Prototype Zone: Prototype Zone is the leading information source and community website for all things about Prototyping and Rapid Prototyping. Visit the website to join for free and receive two free ebooks on Rapid Prototype for a limited time offer.

How to Build Your Own Rapid Prototype Machine

Rapid prototype Comes of Age with This Solid Freeform Fabrication Kit

We've been waiting a long time for a product like this and now it has arrived. For the home user and those who don't have $15,000-$90,000 to drop on a high end rapid prototype unit, the Fabber gives the tools to build your own home manufacturing system that can build just about anything as long as you can design it. Designed by a guy who got tired of losing Lego pieces, the Fabber lets anybody have a desktop Rapid Prototype unit that can manufacture pretty much anything - let's have a look at this dynamic hobby tool.

Solid Freeform Fabrication or Rapid Prototyping has been around for quite a long time now. Many commercial companies offer various type of machines that can manufacture high precision parts out of both plastic or metal to exating tolerances. The downside, they cost anywhere between $15,000 and upwards of $90,000. Some machines can even run up to $500,000.

The Fabber is a joint project started in the Computational Synthesis Lab at Cornell by Dr. Hod Lipson. He initially visualized the Fabber as a tool to reproduce lost Lego pieces. It is a low cost reasonable detail sold freeform modelling or fabrication tool with a build volume of about 512 cubic inches. or an 8" cube.

What the Fabber really represents is a grass-roots approach to what has been a niche product for more than 20 years. As they explain, they are comparing the Fabber to the Altair 8000, one of the first microcomputers and one of the things that triggered the home computer boom back in the mid 1970's. The Fabber even costs about the same with inflation, at about $2300 for parts, whereas the old Plastic mould would have cost about $2000 in today's dollars.

The real beauty of the tool is that it is all made from off-the-shelf components. For a little over $2,000 you can buy the complete kit and put it together, or buy a fully assembled unit from a company called Koba Industries, which has partnered with Fab @ Home to build and sell the product at only a little bit above assembly prices.

The Fabber will take a standard STL file format used by any of the 3D design applications and produce an actual model based on that file. They have used the Fabber to produce a watch with embedded electronics, a working flashlight with circuitry injected, as well as some other really cool things.

This is a brand new technology and certainly not as refined as the high end production machines that can be bought for multi-thousands of dollars. But as a concept, it's something that can be developed and evolved. All it takes is ingenuity and a desire to see how far you can go.

What the Fabber is specifically, is a Solid Free Form Fabrication tool Plastic mold. It uses a lifting table combined with a XY axis stepper motor that guides a print head or engine that contains a number of syringes. Each syringe can hold a different fluid material, and depending on the size of the nozzle, you can potentially use the Fabber to build very small and detailed objects.

Pneumatic or servo? Choosing the right gripper for your automated laboratory process

The demand for speed to market requires that drug discovery, biotechnology and clinical diagnostics labs work faster, more accurately and more efficiently than in the past. Increasingly, lab technicians and scientists seeking greater levels of automation are turning to gripper solutions that mechanize what have traditionally been manual and mundane tasks, allowing them to work on more value-added activities.

Currently, a wide variety of pneumatic and servo grippers are available, each with its own set of unique attributes. It is critical that manufacturers select the appropriate gripper for their process. By understanding the specific advantages of servo and pneumatic grippers, life scientists can make smarter choices in selecting the best tool for any given application--as well as maximize the benefits in accelerated research and development processes, reduced human error, increased volumes of sample tracking and improved sterile conditions.

The majority of grippers utilized by manufacturers today are pneumatic grippers. These low-cost end-of-arm tools are cost effective and have the ability to produce and maintain considerably more force than servo grippers. While more expensive, servo grippers are necessary when more control is required for more delicate and complex assembly and handling applications.

Servo grippers, with their human-hand-like design, offer greater degrees of freedom and are appropriate for many medical applications. With the added expense of servo grippers, manufacturers need to carefully analyze their needs in order to make an educated decision on which gripper to design into their workcell. Applied Robotics, Inc., a global supplier of end-of-arm tooling solutions, conducted a thorough comparative analysis and has formulated the following application questions based on flexibility, control and environmental requirements to help manufacturers make that decision.

Method for protecting stainless steel pipe

1.Method for protecting stainless steel flow-conducting component used in hot geothermal brine service from chloride stress corrosion caused by contact of geothermal brine with an exterior surface of said component comprising thermally coating said exterior surface with metal having an electrode potential more negative than that of the stainless steel being protected.

2.For protecting flow-conducting component constructed of stainless steel containing less than about 15 weight percent nickel used in geothermal brine service from chloride stress corrosion caused by contact of geothermal brine having temperature of at least about 150° F. with an exterior surface of said component comprising thermally-spraying onto an exterior surface thereof metal selected from the group consisting of mild steel, aluminum, zinc, magnesium, and mixtures thereof to provide metal coating of at least about 5 mils.

3.The protective method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said stainless steel is selected from austenitic stainless steel and chrome-duplex types of stainless steels.

4.For protecting stainless steel flow-conducting component used in geothermal brine service from stress corrosion cracking caused by contact of geothermal brine with an exterior surface of said component comprising thermally-spraying onto said exterior surface in region of residual stress metal having an electrode potential more negative than that of the stainless steel being protected.

5.Method for protecting stainless steel flow-conducting component through which is flowed corrosive geothermal brine having temperature of at least about 150° F. from stress corrosion cracking caused by contact of geothermal brine with an exterior surface of said component comprising thermally-spraying mild steel onto said exterior surface in region of residual stress to provide thereon mild steel coating of at least about 5 mils.

6.The protective method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the stainless steel flow-conducting component is constructed of stainless steel selected from austenitic stainless steel and chrome-duplex types of seamless pipe.

7.An article consisting of stainless steel having surface thereof coated with metal having an electrode potential more negative than that of said stainless steel, said stainless steel being selected from austenitic stainless steel and chrome-duplex stainless steel, said metal being coated upon said surface to thickness of at least about 5 mils.

8.An article for use in hot geothermal brine service consisting of stainless steel flow-conducting component having nickel content less than about 18 percent, an exterior surface of said component having thereon coating of metal selected from the group consisting of mild steel, aluminum, magnesium, zinc and mixtures thereof, said coating having thickness of about 5 to about 40 mils.

9.The article as claimed in claim 8 wherein said stainless steel is selected from the group consisting of austenitic steel and chrome-duplex steel.

10.A stainless steel component having an interior surface for conducting flow of hot geothermal brine through said component and an external surface, at least portion of which is coated with metal having an electrode potential more negative than said stainless steel.

11. The component as claimed in claim 10 wherein said stainless steel pipe is selected from the group consisting of austenitic stainless steel and chrome-duplex stainless steel.

Process for Making a Plasitic Moulded Article with a Decorated Surface

Processes for making a plastic mould article with a decorated surface includes introducing a decorated film in a mould, and filling of the mould with a plastic composition by means of injection moulding. The decorated film is preferably at least one layer consisting essentially of a thermoplastic elastomer containing polyether segments.

The plastic composition is preferably injection moulded to form a moulded article thereof having openings therethrough which are covered by the decorated film. In especially preferred embodiments, the moulded article is a housing front for a cellular telephone.

Claims

1. Process for making a plastic moulded article with a decorated surface, comprising the steps of.(a) introducing in a mould a decorated film which comprises at least one layer consisting essentially of a thermoplastic elastomer containing polyether segments; and(b) filling of the mould with a plastic composition by means of injection moulding to form a moulded article of the plastic composition having openings therethrough which openings are covered by the decorated film.

2. Process according to claim 1, wherein the moulded article is a housing front for a cellular telephone.

3. Process according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer has a hardness of 30-75 Shore D.

4. Process according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is a copolyether ester.

5. Process according to claim 4, wherein the copolyether ester contains hard segments that are essentially based on Rapid prototype polybutylene terephthalate.

6. Process according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer contains soft segments derived from poly(tetramethylene oxide)glycol or ethylene oxide-terminated poly(propylene oxide)glycol.

7. Process according to claim 1, wherein the film is decorated by means of sublimation printing.

8. Process according to claim 1, wherein the film is transparent or translucent.

9. Process according to claim 1, wherein the at least one layer is a foamed film with a closed cell structure.

10. Process according to claim 1, wherein the film consists of a single layer consisting essentially of a thermoplastic elastomer containing polyether segments.

11. Process according to claim 1, wherein the film comprises at least two layers, of which at least an outer layer consists essentially of a thermoplastic elastomer containing polyether segments and which has been provided with decorations.

12. Process according to claim 11, wherein the at least two layers both consist essentially of a thermoplastic elastomer containing polyether segments, but of different hardness.

13. Process according to claim 1, wherein a plastic composition is used that is based on a polymer that is compatible or miscible with the thermoplastic elastomer containing polyether segments.

14. Process according to claim 13, wherein the plastic composition is based on a thermoplastic polyester and/or a polycarbonate, and the thermoplastic elastomer is a copolyether ester.

15. Process according to claim 14, wherein the plastic composition is a blend of bisphenol-A polycarbonate and acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene copolymers.

16. Process according to claim 1, wherein the film is laser-markable.

17. Process according to claim 1, wherein the plastic composition is laser-markable.

18. A Plastic mold article which comprises an injection-moulded part having holes, and a decorated film layer adhered to the injection-molded part and covering the holes thereof, wherein the decorated film layer comprises at least one layer consisting essentially of a thermoplastic elastomer containing polyether segments.

19. A plastic moulded article according to claim 18 in the form of a housing front for a cellular telephone.

20. A plastic moulded article according to claim 18, wherein the decorated film layer has soft touch and/or non-slip properties.

21. A plastic moulded article according to claim 18, wherein the decorated film layer is laser-marked.

How to put games into your R4

This is a site that can help you with your R4 problem!

DS fans who have heard of the R4 must have had a strong desire for it. I myself am an owner of an R4, and I know that the first few minutes of using it can be hard, especially putting games into it. There aren't that man complications to the R4, it's just that sometimes, the R4 doesn't come with detailed pamphlet explaining how to put games into the R4, and this article will help with that.

Required items:

R4 Chip

Micro SD Card (Comes with R4)

USB for SD Card (Comes with R4)

Computer or Laptop with USB ports

A program that can read .rar files. Click here to take you to WinRar download.

1. Your R4 should have come with a USB with a little slot at the end of it. You must insert your Micro SD card into the little slot.

2. Connect the USB into your computer or laptop and open the contents of the USB. (You can go to Computer, then double click on the icon of the USB.)

3. Go to the internet and find a website that has NDS R4 roms you can download. You can go to Google and type in "NDS Roms" or "Nintendo DS Roms" and you should get some good websites. I usually use Romulation, which has many NDS roms for your R4.

Alert!:You need to have Winrar installed on your computer, or else you cannot use the games you download!Go to the top of the page and click on the link that takes you to Winrar download page!

4. If you go to Romulation, then go to "Downloads" and then click on "Nintendo DS". I recommend signing up, as guests can only download limited games, and it's free registration!

5. In the search box, (It should be somewhere in the top right corner) type in the game you want.

6. Click on the one you want from the results and click on the yellow "Download" tab. Then, click on either US Server 1 or 2, it doesn't matter. I recommend saving on the desktop.

7. After the download is complete, the file should look like a pile of books. If it doesn't, then you haven't downloaded Winrar. Right click on the file and select "Extract files Here". A window should pop up and you can press enter. The extraction will start and a folder will appear on your desktop.

8. Go back to the window with your USB stuff and make a folder called "Games".

9. Open the folder on the desktop and you should find the NDS file inside. Copy the icon and paste it into the "Games" Folder you made.

10. Take out your USB and you can now delete all of the stuff you downloaded, put the Micro SD card back in the R4 card and play it on your DS! Enjoy!