Three-dimensional printing is one way of rapid prototyping. Now there are dozens of tools for rapid prototyping. All of them differ from each other, but their principle is in layered imposition of a composite material and allows shortening significantly the terms of models for visualization, fit, tooling and other applications that provide:

Reduce the development cycle;
Improvement of design;
Improving the quality;
Reduction of product price and production;
Accelerating change in the design.

The main advantage is the ability to create products with only the geometric model.

This product is created at once, and there is no need for planning succession of processes. However, in comparison with CNC machines, it is very limited choice of material for the product.

The technology of formation products through the gradual build-up of the material appeared in early 1980. There are 3 stages at the basis of the process: the formation of cross-section, layer overlay of sections and combining layers. That is, for creation a product you need to know only the cross-section. It solves some of the challenges of creating a product:

No need for topological design and construction elements in the transformation of the elements of manufacturing. Cross-sections are generated only on the basis of the model.

Manufacturing of parts at once allow minimizing the amount of equipment.

No need to define the geometry of empty space, because it is adding, but not delete the material.

No need to design the construction of mounting clips.

The process is without using instruments, hence no need for additional equipment.

There are several ways to create and combine layers of cross-sections:

Three-dimensional printing.

It was developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received its name because of its similarity print of usual printer. The process is following: the layer of ceramic powder is applied on the platform. Print head inflicts a special binder, through which the particles are sticking to each other and form the desired cross-section. The platform is lowered on one layer thickness and the material is put on it. The binder on a new layer is delivered and it is bonded with the first layer. The required number of repetitions is performed. Then it is done additional heat treatment during which the piece hardens completely.

SGC-Solid Ground Curing.

Each layer is cured by exposing the ultraviolet lamp. In this case, all points of the layer are hardened simultaneously and do not require a final cure. The process consists of the following steps:

The set of cross sections is calculated for a given geometric model and the desired thickness;

It is manufactured optical mask in the form of cross-section for each layer;

The platform is covered with liquid photopolymer;

A mask is placed corresponding to the cross-section above the layer of polymer and the plastic is exposed to ultraviolet light;

Removal of the remaining liquid;

Filling voids with liquid wax. After its solidification layer is stitched to the required thickness of the grinding disc;

The product is covered by a layer of liquid polymer and the process is repeated until you receive a finished product;

Frozen wax is melted and removed from the product.

The advantage of this method is the absence of need for additional support, since all voids are filled with wax. Due to uniform irradiation with ultraviolet it is achieved greater uniformity of product and additional curing is not required.

Over the recent decades rapid prototyping services managed with solving lots of tech problems occurring when trying to show a product, design or model. Have you ever experienced such a problem too? Then you are welcomed to visit a rapid prototyping methodology site.

And remember that we are living in the world of digital technologies. Keep in mind that modern Internet technologies offer you a unique chance to try and to find anything you might want. Take advantage of them to search for cheap rapid prototyping. If you want to keep abreast of the latest publications on the topic sign up for the RSS on this blog.

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