3DP and Prototyping Technologies and SLS Prototyping and SLA Prototype
SLA Prototyping Process and the process of SLS Prototyping
is discussed along with various explanations on different Prototyping
Technologies
Rapid prototyping is a process by which a working model or
prototype is developed to test the various design ideas, features, concepts, use,
functionality and performance. The user can immediately give a feedback to the
producer. The technology of rapid prototyping is quite revolutionary and
innovative and has found widespread applications in nearly all types of
industries. The prototypes can be developed on the basis of past design and its
performance and necessary modifications can be made to refine the final product
as per the requirements. Rapid prototyping has manifold advantages like
reduction of process cost, time and risks, conceptualizing of the actual
product, delivery of high quality product, better communications and so on.
As it is with all the technologies, there are some
disadvantages as well associated with rapid prototyping like communication
gaps, high expectations of the users which are not fulfilled and so on.
However, the benefits surely do override all the advantages. There are a host
of different rapid prototyping technologies.
Rapid Prototyping Technologies: The numerous
rapid prototyping technologies may include the various types like additive,
formative or subtractive. Initially, rapid prototyping technologies involved
only additive processes. The major difference between the various additive
technologies is the method in which layers are built for creating parts. Some
rapid prototyping technologies melt or soften materials for producing the
Layers (FDM, SLS), whereas other technologies lay down liquid material called
thermosets and these are later cured by different methods.
The various rapid prototyping technologies are SLA or
Stereolithography, SLS or Selective Laser Sintering, LOM or Laminated Object
Manufacturing, SGC or Solid Ground Curing, LENS or Laser Engineered Net
Shaping, FDM or Fused Deposition Modeling, 3DP or Three Dimensional Printing,
Inkjet, EBM or Electron Beam Melting and miscellaneous non-commercialized
technologies.
SLA or Steroelithography: The rapid
prototyping technology of SLA or stereolithography provides with the greatest
accuracy and gives the best possible surface finish among all the rapid
prototyping technologies. This technology uses liquid photopolymer resin that
has the property of solidifying on contact with the correct color light. The
most commonly used photopolymer materials need UV light, but resins that work
in visible light are also used.
SLS or Selective Laser Sintering: SLS or
Selective Laser Sintering rapid prototyping technology uses metallic powders or
thermoplastics. This technology is quite similar to stereolithography. The
finishing time is reduced as the undercuts and overhangs are given support by
the solid bed of powder. The surface finishes are not as good as
stereolithography. It requires no final curing like SLA , but the object is
porous as it is sintered. The mechanical characteristics of the object can be improved
by infiltrating the object with some other material as required by the
application. This method is used in direct fabrication of ceramic and metal
tools and objects.
Other Rapid Prototyping Technologies: LOM or
Laminated Object Manufacturing rapid prototyping technology uses paper as the
base material. EBM or Electron Beam Melting methods use titanium alloys for
their base material. The rapid prototyping technology of 3D Printing makes use
of different materials as base materials.
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Tags: better communications, communication gaps, design ideas, explanations, functionality, high expectations, high quality, laminated object manufacturing, liquid material, lom, necessary modifications, product delivery, prototype, prototypes, quality product, rapid prototyping technologies, selective laser, sgc, sls, working model
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