by Hopley | October 9, 2015 | 3.5 Rapid prototyping
The growth in computing power has had a major impact on modelling with computer-aided manufacture. Rapid software and hardware developments allow new opportunities and exciting new technologies to create dynamic modelling of ever-greater complexity. IB Syllabus...
by Hopley | October 8, 2015 | 3.5 Rapid prototyping
Discuss the limitations of rapid prototyping for volume-produced products. – Consider the internal structure of a product, and number of components. IB Syllabus 3D printing is good for making prototypes, but the technology can’t handle everything...
by Hopley | October 8, 2015 | 3.5 Rapid prototyping
This is an interesting project that shows the potential of Rapid Prototyping using SLS and metal. SLS is a 3D printing process based on sintering. A CO2 laser is used to sinter a thin layer of heat-fusible titanium powder that gradually builds up the 3D model. These...
by Hopley | October 7, 2015 | 3.5 Rapid prototyping
There are many different ways to 3D print an object. But nearly all of them utilize computer aided design (CAD) files. CAD files must be translated into a “language,” or file type, that 3D printing machines can understand. Standard Tessellation Language...
by Hopley | October 7, 2015 | 3.5 Rapid prototyping
In a typical FDM system, the extrusion nozzle moves over the build platform horizontally and vertically, “drawing” a cross section of an object onto the platform. This thin layer of plastic cools and hardens, immediately binding to the layer beneath it....
by Hopley | October 6, 2015 | 3.5 Rapid prototyping
FDM is the most common type of rapid prototyping due to it’s low cost. This is the type that you will be familiar with in school. FDM printers use a thermoplastic filament, which is heated to its melting point and then extruded, layer by layer, to create a three...