An investigation into the material properties and precision of rapid prototyping technology

Rapid prototyping technology has changed greatly from its inception in the early 1980s. Today this design tool is being analyzed for use in production. To evaluate this application, some standards must be established to measure the accuracy of models created and to gage their strengths and weaknesses in the production environment. The history of rapid prototyping technology is reviewed and analyzed with some detail of contemporary machines. Primary forms of rapid prototyping are discussed with examples of present applications of rapid prototyping technology to production and manufacturing. Evaluation of the material properties and accuracy of models has been initiated with some limitation to the depth of application. The physical properties of an FDM model are analyzed using traditional methods and a hybrid method which minimized material consumption. Full three-dimensional model accuracy is evaluated with some focus on the method of optimal design using a rapid prototyping tool. With methods for mechanical and metrological analysis, the process of design is evaluated for modifications to traditional design methods to incorporate the new technology into efficient engineering design.