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Article
Publication date: 1 September 1998

Uichung Cho, Kristin L. Wood and Richard H. Crawford

Functional testing with rapid prototypes is confined to certain areas due to a number of issues: the lack of a reliable similarity method that can solve distorted similarity…

Abstract

Functional testing with rapid prototypes is confined to certain areas due to a number of issues: the lack of a reliable similarity method that can solve distorted similarity problems; limited material choices; range of prototype sizes; and distinct material structures between prototypes and actual products. Methods are thus needed to expand the application of functional testing with rapid prototypes, and thus potentially impact the performance and cycle times of current product development processes. In this context, an improved similarity method that utilizes a geometrically simple specimen pair is developed in this paper. A realistic numerical simulation and an experimental mold design example (using a selective laser sintering prototype) demonstrate the validity and impact of the new method.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 4 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1992

Antoinette Kieback, Horst Lichter, Matthias Schneider‐Hufschmidt and Heinz Züllighoven

Presents five case studies of industrial software projectsspecifically involving prototyping. Designates projects ranging from 240person‐years to two person‐years involving large…

Abstract

Presents five case studies of industrial software projects specifically involving prototyping. Designates projects ranging from 240 person‐years to two person‐years involving large industrial corporations to small/medium software manufacturers. Analyses the benefits and limitations of prototyping. Concludes that prototyping is conducive to the quality of the product and the development process, particularly when used in conjunction with an evolutionary development strategy and when all parties are aware of the benefits and limitations.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. 6 no. 2/3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1995

Michael Greulich, Matthias Greul and Theo Pintat

Rapid prototyping (RP) systems were designed to reduce the time taken to develop new products, and, today, available RP systems work with different techniques using paper…

1620

Abstract

Rapid prototyping (RP) systems were designed to reduce the time taken to develop new products, and, today, available RP systems work with different techniques using paper, polymers and waxes. In order to fulfil the demand for the direct production of metallic prototypes for functional application and testing, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Materials Research (IFAM) has developed a new process, named “multiphase jet solidification (MJS)”, which is able to produce metallic or ceramic parts. The MJS process uses low‐melting alloys or a powder‐binder mixture which is squeezed out through a computer‐controlled nozzle. Parts are manufactured layer by layer and the “green parts” are debinded and sintered to reach final density. Presents experiences of using this new technique, along with some results.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 June 2012

Manlio Bordoni and Alberto Boschetto

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new way of prototyping surfaces, taking the mathematical background into account, without involving drawing environments.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new way of prototyping surfaces, taking the mathematical background into account, without involving drawing environments.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors thicken surfaces from a mathematical point of view to obtain solids. Next they look for an operative procedure to build virtual models and interchange files. The authors build a sample of Enneper thickened surface by fused deposition modelling and verify the prototype by reverse engineering techniques.

Findings

The authors provide a formulation able to thicken surfaces in mathematical terms. An operative procedure generates virtual solids and interchange files in the same environment. The approximations necessary for additive fabrication, such as triangulations and mesh geometry, can be chosen at this stage.

Research limitations/implications

The approach is useful at the product/process development stage, in which surfaces are delivered by theoretical analysis. At this stage a prototype can give useful advice permitting functional tests. The limitation is that, when the mathematical formulation is not available, it is difficult to translate a concept without fundamentals of differential geometry.

Practical implications

Approximations of drawing environments typically lead to fault models, not ready for fabrication by additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, needing empiric, not at all obvious and not rapid repair interventions. The authors' approach eliminates this stage, permitting a faster and simple managing of modifications due to functional and technological requirements, that are frequent at concept stage. This leads to a time‐to‐market reduction in the course of product/process development.

Originality/value

This paper extends the capability of a mathematical approach to solve surface prototyping problems. By reducing the required stages, the proposed methodology finds a theoretical and practical shorter route to direct fabrication.

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1998

A. Bandyopadhyay, R.K. Panda, T.F. McNulty, F. Mohammadi, S.C. Danforth and A. Safari

Reviews the inherent advantages, i.e. design flexibility and processing, of manufacturing piezoelectric ceramics and composites with numerous architectures via rapid prototyping…

2162

Abstract

Reviews the inherent advantages, i.e. design flexibility and processing, of manufacturing piezoelectric ceramics and composites with numerous architectures via rapid prototyping techniques. Reports on processing in which piezoelectric ceramics and composites with novel and conventional designs were fabricated using rapid prototyping techniques. Fused deposition of ceramics, fused deposition modeling, and Sanders prototyping techniques were used to fabricate lead‐zirconate‐titanate ceramics and ceramic/polymer composites via, first, direct fabrication and, second, indirect fabrication using either lost mold or soft tooling techniques.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 4 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 January 2007

P. Mognol, M. Rivette, L. Jégou and T. Lesprier

To propose a method to manufacture a hybrid rapid tool (a multi component tool).

1350

Abstract

Purpose

To propose a method to manufacture a hybrid rapid tool (a multi component tool).

Design/methodology/approach

The part is decomposed into multi component prototype instead of a part made from a single piece. First, this method is based on a topological analysis of the tool. Features are regrouped starting from the numerical definition of the die. Second, the manufacturing possibilities of the high speed milling (HSM), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) and electro discharge machining (EDM) process are analyzed. Finally this information is synthesized to obtain solutions. This method is validated by industrial example.

Findings

A method is proposed to choose the best manufacturing process in order to optimize the manufacture of a “hybrid rapid tooling” between three processes: HSM, DMLS and EDM. So, it is possible to obtain the different components of the hybrid rapid tooling according to the envisaged process.

Research limitations/implications

The final goal is to propose a software assistant used in association with CAD system during the design of hybrid rapid tooling. An important work concerning the features recognition must be implemented. The assembly of the different parts of the hybrid rapid tooling must be considered and optimized.

Practical implications

This method allows the selection of the best process among EDM, HSM and DMLS technologies form manufacturing tools.

Originality/value

The analysis of manufacturing hybrid rapid tooling has not been studied yet.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2004

Deon J. de Beer, Ludrick J. Barnard and Gerrie J. Booysen

Functional design is closely linked to manufacturing and building. Designers' freedom to express themselves is often limited by the capabilities of craftsmen who have to give…

Abstract

Functional design is closely linked to manufacturing and building. Designers' freedom to express themselves is often limited by the capabilities of craftsmen who have to give physical substance to the designer's ideas. This paper reviews the use of rapid prototyping (RP) to construct complex geometry. Three‐dimensional computer aided design data are transferred to a build volume on a 2D layer‐by‐layer basis. This manufacturing method results in the rapid production of a physical model that can be used to verify designs, check form, fit and functionality, as well as to create a depth perspective. The paper describes a fresh approach into an old industry, i.e. model making. Results proved that models built by conventional methods can be cost‐effectively substituted by RP methods without the surface limitations created by cardboard models.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1996

Peter Brophy and Peter Wynne

The authors locate the EQLIPSE Project in the context of the growing interest in the application of performance measurement and quality assurance techniques to libraries. The…

Abstract

The authors locate the EQLIPSE Project in the context of the growing interest in the application of performance measurement and quality assurance techniques to libraries. The EQLIPSE consortium is described, and the main works which informed the Project's design are enumerated. The six workpackages of the Project are outlined, followed by details of progress to date. Of the completed workpackages, the first resulted in a deliverable report defining user requirements. The output from the second was an initial functional specification for the EQLIPSE system. In the second phase of the Project a prototype system was developed and data collection procedures were defined. The prototype was tested in July 1996 and amended accordingly. EQLIPSE is to be one of four Projects in the EC Concerted Action CAMILE; the purpose and aims of which are described.

Details

VINE, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-5728

Article
Publication date: 19 July 2019

Katerina Pieri and Sue Valerie Gray Cobb

People with severe or profound hearing loss face daily communication problems mainly due to the language barrier between themselves and the hearing community. Their hearing…

Abstract

Purpose

People with severe or profound hearing loss face daily communication problems mainly due to the language barrier between themselves and the hearing community. Their hearing deficiency, as well as their use of sign language, often makes it difficult for them to use and understand spoken language. Cyprus is amongst the top 5 European countries with a relatively high proportion of registered deaf people (0.12 per cent of the population: GUL, 2010). However, lack of technological and financial support to the Deaf Community of Cyprus leaves the Cypriot deaf people unsupported and marginalised. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study implemented user-centred design methods to explore the communication needs and requirements of Cypriot deaf people and develop a functional prototype of a mobile app to help them to communicate more effectively with hearing people. A total of 76 deaf adults were involved in various stages of the research. This paper presents the participatory design activities (N=8) and results of usability testing (N=8).

Findings

The study found that users were completely satisfied with the mobile app and, in particular, they liked the use of Cypriot Sign Language (CSL) videos of a real person interpreting hearing people’s speech in real time and the custom onscreen keyboard to allow faster selection of text input.

Originality/value

Despite advances in communication aid technologies, there is currently no technology available that supports CSL or real-time speech to sign language conversion for the deaf people of Cyprus.

Details

Journal of Enabling Technologies, vol. 13 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6263

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 October 2015

Sunil Kumar Tiwari, Sarang Pande, Sanat Agrawal and Santosh M. Bobade

The purpose of this paper is to propose and evaluate the selection of materials for the selective laser sintering (SLS) process, which is used for low-volume production in the…

3810

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and evaluate the selection of materials for the selective laser sintering (SLS) process, which is used for low-volume production in the engineering (e.g. light weight machines, architectural modelling, high performance application, manufacturing of fuel cell, etc.), medical and many others (e.g. art and hobbies, etc.) with a keen focus on meeting customer requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

The work starts with understanding the optimal process parameters, an appropriate consolidation mechanism to control microstructure, and selection of appropriate materials satisfying the property requirement for specific application area that leads to optimization of materials.

Findings

Fabricating the parts using optimal process parameters, appropriate consolidation mechanism and selecting the appropriate material considering the property requirement of applications can improve part characteristics, increase acceptability, sustainability, life cycle and reliability of the SLS-fabricated parts.

Originality/value

The newly proposed material selection system based on properties requirement of applications has been proven, especially in cases where non-experts or student need to select SLS process materials according to the property requirement of applications. The selection of materials based on property requirement of application may be used by practitioners from not only the engineering field, medical field and many others like art and hobbies but also academics who wish to select materials of SLS process for different applications.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 21 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

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