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NAMING:
Rapid Prototyping: This term was used in the beginning of the professional use of
the technology because the main application was the manufacturing of prototypes,
mock ups and sample parts.
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Additive Manufacturing
Additive Manufacturing (AM) concerns as well some other
Short introduction to the technology
technologies
Powder Injection Moulding (PIM), Metal Injection Moulding (MIM)
and Ceramic Injection Moulding (CIM), is an advanced
manufacturing technology for the production of complex, high
volume net-shape components.
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Additive Manufacturing
Powder sintering is the process of blending fine powdered materials, pressing
them into a desired Short
shapeintroduction to the technology
or form (compacting), and then heating the
compressed material in a controlled atmosphere to bond the material
(sintering). The powder metallurgy process generally consists of four basic steps:
powder manufacture, powder blending, compacting, and sintering. Compacting
is generally performed at room temperature, and the elevated-temperature
process of sintering is usually conducted at atmospheric pressure. Optional
secondary processing often follows to obtain special properties or enhanced
precision.
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Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing/3D printing
History of 3D Printing:
2000-
1980-2000 The earliest 3D printing technologies first became visible in
the late 1980’s, at which time they were called Rapid
Prototyping (RP) technologies. This is because the processes
were originally conceived as a fast and more cost-effective
method for creating prototypes for product development
within industry.
The AM value chain consists of five steps – AM system providers are active in most areas of the value chain
Application
Material System Software Production
design
Mainly: Creation of >Usually stand- >Differentiation > Support for end >Different produc-
metal powder alone powder bed between process customers tion scenarios:
> Powder with high fusion systems control and > Can be complex - Large OEM
purity and a very > System providers enhancement and demanding - Contract manu-
narrow distribution with low levels of software > Done by system facturer/service
of the granular size vertical integration, > Process control providers, software provider
(usually 30µm) standard from system prov. developers and/or - Specialized part
> Hard to get from components > Add-on software service providers manufacturer
large providers due usually made by such as automatic > Not every service > Production is
to small orders contract support generation, provider is able to normally not done
>Usually sold by manufacturers design optimization design applications by AM System
AM system > Providers By specialized providers
providers integrate companies
components system
& software
Players: Players: Players: Players: Players:
> Höganäs > EOS > Materialise > 3T PRD > 3T PRD
> TLS Technik > SLM Solutions > netfabb > Concept Laser > Janke Engin.
> San > Concept Laser > With > EOS > Layer Wise
> etc. > etc. > etc. > etc. > etc.
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CONSUMER PROD./
AUTOMOTIVE MEDICAL/DENTAL
ELECTRONICS
TOOLS/MOLDS OTHER
AEROSPACE
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Advantages:
Speed:
You can create complex parts within hours , with limited human resources. Only machine operator is needed for loading the data and the
powder material, start the process and finally for the finishing. During the manufacturing process no operator is needed.
Customisation
3D printing processes allow for mass customisation — the ability to personalize products according to individual needs and requirements.
Even within the same build chamber, the nature of 3D printing means that numerous products can be manufactured at the same time
according to the end-users requirements at no additional process cost.
Tool-less
For industrial manufacturing, one of the most cost-, time- and labour-intensive stages of the product development process is the production
of the tools. For low to medium volume applications, industrial 3D printing — or additive manufacturing — can eliminate the need for tool
production and, therefore, the costs, lead times and labour associated with it. This is an extremely attractive proposition, that an increasing
number or manufacturers are taking advantage of. Furthermore, because of the complexity advantages stated above, products and
components can be designed specifically to avoid assembly requirements with intricate geometry and complex features further eliminating
the labour and costs associated with assembly processes.
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Advantages:
No storage cost
Since 3D printers can “print” products as and when needed, and does not cost more than mass manufacturing, no expense on storage of
goods is required.
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Disadvantages:
Questionable Accuracy
3D printing is primarily a prototyping technology, meaning that parts created via the technology are mainly test parts. As with any viable
test part, the dimensions have to be precise in order for engineers to get an accurate read on whether or not a part is feasible. While 3D
printers have made advances in accuracy in recent years, many of the plastic materials still come with an accuracy disclaimer. For
instance, many materials print to either +/- 0.1 mm in accuracy, meaning there is room for error.
Considerable effort required for application design and for setting process parameters
Complex set of around 180 material, process and other parameters and specific design required to fully profit from the technology
Material cost:
Today, the cost of most materials for additive systems ( Powder ) is slightly greater than that of those used for traditional manufacturing .
Material properties:
A limited choice of materials is available. Actually, materials and there properties (e.g., tensile property, tensile strength, yield strength,
and fatigue) have not been fully characterized. Also, in terms of surface quality, even the best RM processes need perhaps secondary
machining and polishing to reach acceptable tolerance and surface finish.
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Disadvantages:
Limitations of size
3D printing technology is currently limited by size constraints. Very large objects are still not feasible when built using 3D printers.
Cost of printers
The cost of buying a 3D printer still does not make its purchase by the average householder feasible. Also, different 3D printers are
required in order to print different types of objects. Also, printers that can manufacture in color are costlier than those that print
monochrome objects.
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Over the last years AM technology became valid for the lifecycle of a product
Production planning
Testing
Design
Concept
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Complexity
of the part
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
Time Cost
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Part manufacturing
- Advantage for sport shoe manufacturer is
the data exchange between development and
production over night. e.g. ADIDAS with
the development in Germany an the
production side in China.
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Chocolate printer
Figure Print
Concrete Printer
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APPLICATION DESIGN
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Part Build
CAD Design
Chemical
CAD Translator Build Process properties
CAD Model
Material
File PART
Verification Physical
properties
Preparation
Cleaning
Support remove
Orientation Post Process
Support
Post curing
Parameters
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Angled surfaces
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Supports
Holes
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Original design
Optimized design
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PROCESSES
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• Stereolithography
Liquid Based • Jetting Systems
• Direct Light Processing
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Stereolithography (SL)
Also like SL, DLP produces highly accurate parts with excellent resolution, but its similarities also
include the same requirements for support structures and post-curing. However, one advantage of DLP
over SL is that only a shallow vat of resin is required to facilitate the process, which generally results in
less waste and lower running costs.
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However, on the downside, because of the high temperatures required for laser sintering, cooling times
can be considerable. Furthermore, porosity has been an historical issue with this process, and while
there have been significant improvements towards fully dense parts, some applications still necessitate
infiltration with another material to improve mechanical characteristics.
Laser sintering can process plastic and metal materials, although metal sintering does require a much
higher powered laser and higher in-process temperatures. Parts produced with this process are much
stronger than with SL or DLP, although generally the surface finish and accuracy is not as good.
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Stratasys has developed a range of proprietary industrial grade materials for its FDM process that are
suitable for some production applications. At the entry-level end of the market, materials are more
limited, but the range is growing. The most common materials for entry-level FFF 3D printers are ABS
and PLA.
The FDM/FFF processes require support structures for any applications with overhanging geometries.
For FDM, this entails a second, water-soluble material, which allows support structures to be relatively
easily washed away, once the print is complete.
Alternatively, breakaway support materials are also possible, which can be removed by manually
snapping them off the part.
Support structures, or lack thereof, have generally been a limitation of the entry level FFF 3D printers.
However, as the systems have evolved and improved to incorporate dual extrusion heads, it has
become less of an issue.
In terms of models produced, the FDM process from Stratasys is an accurate and reliable process that
is relatively office/studio- friendly, although extensive post-processing can be required. At the entry-
level, as would be expected, the FFF process produces much less accurate models, but things are
constantly improving.
The process can be slow for some part geometries and layer-to- layer adhesion can be a problem,
resulting in parts that are not watertight. Again, post-processing using Acetone can resolve these issues.
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Binder Jetting
The parts resulting directly from the machine, however, are not as strong as with the sintering process
and require post-processing to ensure durability.
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Voxeljet
voxeljet is one of the leading manufacturers of industrial
3D printing systems and operates service centres in
Germany, USA and UK for the "on-demand production" of
molds and models for metal casting.
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Tooling
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MATERIALS
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AM Materials
However, there are now way too many proprietary materials from the many different 3D printer vendors
to cover them all here.
Instead, we will look at the most popular types of material in a more generic way. And also a couple of
materials that stand out.
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Acura Bluestone
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3D Printer
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AM Materials
Nylon, or Polyamide, is commonly used in powder form with the sintering process or in filament form
with the FDM process. It is a strong, flexible and durable plastic material that has proved reliable for 3D
printing. It is naturally white in colour but it can be coloured — pre- or post printing. This material can
also be combined (in powder format) with powdered aluminium to produce another common 3D
printing material for sintering Alumide.
ABS is another common plastic used for 3D printing, and is widely used on the entry-level FDM 3D
printers in filament form. It is a particularly strong plastic and comes in a wide range of colours.
ABS can be bought in filament form from a number of non- propreitary sources, which is another reason
why it is so popular.
PLA is a bio-degradable plastic material that has gained traction with 3D printing for this very reason. It
can be utilized in resin format for DLP/SL processes as well as in filament form for the FDM process. It
is offered in a variety of colours, including transparent, which has proven to be a useful option for some
some applications of 3D printing. However it is not as durable oras flexible as ABS.
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AM Materials
LayWood is a specially developed 3D printing material for entry- level extrusion 3D printers. It comes
in filament form and is a wood/polymer composite (also referred to as WPC).
A growing number of metals and metal composites are used for industrial grade 3D printing. Two of the
most common are aluminium and cobalt derivatives.
One of the strongest and therefore most commonly used metals for 3D printing is Stainless Steel in
powder form for the sintering/ melting/EBM processes. It is naturally silver, but can be plated with other
materials to give a gold or bronze effect.
In the last couple of years Gold and Silver have been added to the range of metal materials that can be
3D printed directly, with obvious applications across the jewellery sector. These are both very strong
materials and are processed in powder form.
Titanium is one of the strongest possible metal materials and has been used for 3D printing industrial
applications for some time.
Supplied in powder form, it can be used for the sintering/melting/ EBM processes.
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AM Materials
Ceramics
Ceramics are a relatively new group of materials that can be used for 3D printing with various levels of
success. The particular thing to note with these materials is that, post printing, the ceramic parts need to
undergo the same processes as any ceramic part made using traditional methods of production - namely
firing and glazing.
Paper
Standard A4 copier paper is a 3D printing material employed by the proprietary SDL process supplied
by Mcor Technologies. The company operates a notably different business model to other 3D printing
vendors, whereby the capital outlay for the machine is in the mid-range, but the emphasis is very much
on an easily obtainable, cost-effective material supply, that can be bought locally. 3D printed models
made with paper are safe, environmentally friendly, easily recyclable and require no post-processing.
Bio Materials
There is a huge amount of research being conducted into the potential of 3D printing bio materials for a
host of medical (and other) applications. Living tissue is being investigated at a number of leading
institutions with a view to developing applications that include printing human organs for transplant, as
well as external tissues for replacement body parts. Other research in this area is focused on developing
food stuffs - meat being the prime example.
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AM Materials
Bio Materials
There is a huge amount of research being conducted into the potential of 3D printing bio materials for a
host of medical (and other) applications. Living tissue is being investigated at a number of leading
institutions with a view to developing applications that include printing human organs for transplant, as
well as external tissues for replacement body parts.
Food
Experiments with extruders for 3D printing food substances has increased dramatically over the last
couple of years. Chocolate is the most common (and desirable). There are also printers that work with
sugar and some experiments with pasta and meat. Looking to the future, research is being undertaken, to
utilize 3D printing technology to produce finely balanced whole meals.
Other
And finally, one company that does have a unique (proprietary) material offering is Stratasys, with its
digital materials for the Objet Connex 3D printing platform. This offering means that standard Objet 3D
printing materials can be combined during the printing process — in various and specified
concentrations to form new materials with the required properties. Up to 140 different Digital Materials
can be realized from combining the existing primary materials in different ways.
Concrete
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RIKS
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Safety features
Powder handling & changing - The following risks may be experienced while working with the systems:
Risk or damage to respiratory tract and lungs when handling metal powders and filter dust and suspected
carcinogenic effect of the metal powder and filter dust. It is strongly recommended to wear breathing protection
(respiratory mask; particle filter P2D or P3D) and NEVER inhale the dust when filling, emptying and cleaning the
build envelope (build module, dosing chamber, coater, powder overflow) and when emptying the collecting
container and filter cartridge of the extraction and filter unit.
Risk of eye damage when handling metal powder and filter dust. It is strongly recommended to wear eye
protection (close-fitting safety goggles) when filling, emptying and cleaning the build envelope (build module,
dosing chamber, coater, powder overflow) and when emptying the collecting container and filter cartridge of the
extraction and filter unit.
Risk of compressed air outlet. Compressed air can escape if compressed air lines and union joints are opened or
damaged. It is strongly recommended to wear safety gloves due to risk of skin damage. The toxic nickel in the metal
powder and filter dust can cause irreversible damage or a sensitisation through skin contact (allergic reaction).
Risk of suspected carcinogenic effect of the metal powder and filter dust. A longer period inhaling of powder dust
may cause accumulation of powder in lungs, blood and other organs which has a strong carcinogenic effect.
Laser system
The principal risks of the laser system are the following:
Laser is “invisible” (Class 1). This means that the human eye cannot detect the beam if it impacts the eye. It is
highly recommended to activate the laser only when the door is closed due to protective action of the door crystal.
Special precaution should be made with docking/undocking of the build chamber. The laser may impact with the
part and suffer severe damage.
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Reliance on plastics
One of the biggest environmental movements in recent history has been to reduce reliance on plastics, from grocery bags
to water bottles to household objects that can be made from recycled materials instead. The most popular—and
cheapest—3D printers use plastic filament. Though using raw materials reduces the amount of waste in general, the
machines still leave unused or excess plastic in the print beds. PLA is biodegradable, but ABS filament is still the most
commonly used type of plastic. The plastic byproduct ends up in landfills. If 3D printing is going to be industrialized,
that byproduct or other recycled plastic needs to be reused.
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Responsibility of manufacturers
Weapons can be 3D printed. So can safety equipment such as helmets, wheels for bikes, and toys for small children. Of
course there is the issue of intellectual property and trademark, but the larger issue involves responsibility. If a person
shoots a gun and harms or kills someone, stabs someone with a 3D printed knife, or breaks their neck while riding on a
bike with a 3D printed helmet, who is held accountable? The owner of the printer, the manufacturer of the printer, or the
irresponsible person who thought it was a good idea to produce and use an untested product?
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Maintenance
Software maintenance
Machine maintenance
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Coût machine
Nombre d’ heures/5ans 9000 13500 18000 21500 27000
Heure de heures de
Semaines activées Pièces par construction construction coût/heure €80.16 €55.44 €43.08 €37.04 €30.72
Années par année semaine par pièce en 5ans
5 45 2 20 9000 heures
Prix de la
Prix de la machine par
machine heure
485000 Euro 53.89 Euro/heure
Maintenance
Prix
Active mois Prix par maintenance
Années par année mois en 5ans
5 11 €1`910.00 105`050.00 Euro
Prix
maintenance
par heure
11.67 Euro/heure
Con
sommables
Racleur
Racleur par semaine Prix racleur Racleur/heure
1 €45.00 1.13 Euro/heure
Prix Plaque
Plaque de base Plate/semaine de base Plate/heure
0.2 €50.00 0.25 Euro/heure
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Tableau 3 : Comparaison de coût total (Cas1 fabrication maison/ Cas2 fabrication externe)
Cas 1 int. Cas 2 ext.
Comparaison de coût total
Imprimante 3D par service
Coût des actifs amortissables (€) 485.000
Valeur résiduelle (€) 48.500
Durée de vie en années 5
Capital engage moyen (€) [Cem] 266.750
Prévision de production d’unités par an 60 60
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Future
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?
Many exiting examples can be found under: http://www.3ders.org/applications.html
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RAPID PROTOTYPING AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
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Rapid Prototyping (RP) and Additive Manufacturing (AM)
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Why is Rapid Prototyping Important?
• Product designers want to have a physical model of a
new part or product design rather than just a computer
model or line drawing
– Creating a prototype is an integral step in design
– A virtual prototype (a CAD model of the part) may
not be sufficient for the designer to visualize the part
adequately
– Using RP to make the prototype, the designer can see
and feel the part and assess its merits and
shortcomings
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Available Rapid Prototyping Technologies
1. Material removal RP - machining, using a dedicated
CNC machine that is available to the design department
on short notice
– Starting material is often wax
– The CNC machines are often small - called desktop
machining
2. Material addition RP - adds layers of material one at a
time to build the solid part from bottom to top
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Advantages of Material Addition RP Technologies
• Speed of part delivery
• Avoidance of the CNC part programming task, because
the CAD model is the part program in material addition
RP
• Complexity of part geometry is not an issue in material
addition RP
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Steps to Prepare Control Instructions
1. Geometric modeling - design the component on a CAD
system to define its enclosed volume
2. Tessellation of the geometric model - CAD model is
converted into a computerized format that approximates
its surfaces by facets (triangles or polygons)
3. Slicing of the model into layers - computerized model is
sliced into closely-spaced parallel horizontal layers
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Solid Model to Layers
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Starting Materials in Material Addition RP
1. Liquid monomers that are cured layer by layer into solid
polymers
2. Powders that are aggregated and bonded layer by layer
3. Molten materials that are solidified layer by layer
4. Solid sheets that are laminated to create the solid part
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Layer-Forming Processes
• Lasers
• Printing heads that operate using ink-jet technology
• Extruder heads
• Other processes:
– Electron beams
– Cutting knives
– UV light systems
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Three Basic Channel Modes
(a) Moving point or moving spot, (b) moving line across
the entire layer in one translational motion, and (c) layer
mode - entire layer is created at the same time
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Additive Manufacturing Processes
1. Liquid-based: Stereolithography and mask projection
stereolithography
2. Powder-based: Selective laser sintering and three-
dimensional printing
3. Molten material: Fused deposition modeling and
droplet deposition manufacturing
4. Solid-based: Laminated object manufacturing
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Stereolithography (SL)
• RP process for fabricating a solid plastic part out of a
photosensitive liquid polymer using a directed laser
beam to solidify the polymer
• Part fabrication is accomplished as a series of layers -
each layer is added onto the previous layer to gradually
build the 3-D geometry
• The first addition RP technology - introduced 1988 by
3D Systems Inc. based on work of Charles Hull
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Stereolithography
• (1) At start of the process, in which the initial layer
is added to the platform; and (2) after several layers
have been added so that the part geometry gradually
takes form
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Facts about Stereolithography
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Mask Projection Stereolithography (MPSL)
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Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
• Moving laser beam sinters heat-fusible powders in areas
corresponding to the CAD geometry model one layer at
a time to build the solid part
– After each layer is completed, a new layer of loose
powders is spread across the surface
– Layer by layer, the powders are gradually bonded by
the laser beam into a 3-D solid geometry
– In areas not sintered, the powders are loose and can
be poured out of completed part
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Three Dimensional Printing (3DP)
• Part is built using an ink-jet printer to eject adhesive
bonding material onto successive layers of powders
• Binder is deposited in areas corresponding to the cross
sections of part, as determined by slicing the CAD
geometric model into layers
• The binder holds the powders together to form the solid
part, while the unbonded powders remain loose to be
removed later
• To strengthen the part, a sintering step can be applied to
bond the individual powders
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Three Dimensional Printing
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Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
• RP process in which a long filament of wax or
thermoplastic polymer is extruded onto existing part
surface from a workhead to complete each new layer
• Workhead is controlled in x-y plane during each layer
and then moves up by a distance equal to one layer in
the z-direction
– Extrudate is solidified and cold welded to the cooler
part surface in about 0.1 s
– Part is fabricated layer-by-layer from the base up
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Collection of Parts Made by Fused Deposition Modeling
(Courtesy of
George E. Kane
Manufacturing
Technology
Laboratory,
Lehigh University)
77
FDM Machine
(Courtesy of
George E. Kane
Manufacturing
Technology
Laboratory,
Lehigh University)
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UV-Cured Polyjet Fab (Polyjet)
• PolyJet 3D printing is similar to
inkjet printing, but instead of jetting
drops of ink onto paper, PolyJet 3D
Printers jet layers of curable liquid
photopolymer onto a build tray. -
http://www.stratasys.com/3d-printers/technologies/polyjet-
technology#sthash.hz5R87L1.dpuf
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Droplet Deposition Manufacturing (DDM)
• Starting material is melted and small droplets are shot
by a nozzle onto previously formed layer
• Droplets cold weld to surface to form a new layer
• Deposition for each layer controlled by a moving x-y
nozzle whose path is based on a cross section of a CAD
geometric model that is sliced into layers
• Work materials include wax and thermoplastics
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Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)
• Solid physical model made by stacking layers of sheet
stock, each an outline of the cross-sectional shape of a
CAD model that is sliced into layers
– Starting sheet stock includes paper, plastic, cellulose,
metals, or fiber-reinforced materials
– Sheet usually supplied with adhesive backing as rolls
that are spooled between two reels
– After cutting, excess material in the layer remains in
place to support the part during building
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Laminated Object Manufacturing
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RP Cycle Time Analysis
Time Ti to complete a single layer in processes that use a
moving-spot channel mode
Ai
Ti Tr
vD
where Ai = area of layer I
V = speed of moving spot
D = diameter of moving spot (assumed circular)
Tr = repositioning time between layers
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RP Cycle Time Analysis
Time Ti to complete a single layer in processes that use a moving-
line channel mode
Ti v s Ls Tr
where vs = velocity of moving line
Ls = length of sweep across layer
Time Ti to complete a single layer in processes that use a layer
channel mode
Ti = Tex + Tr
Where Tex = exposure time for one layer
84
RP Cycle Time Analysis
Total cycle time Tc to build the part is the sum of the
individual layer times Ti plus the time to set up the
machine
nl
Tc Tsu Ti
i 1
85
RP Cost Analysis
Cost per piece Cpc by any of the RP processes
includes material, labor, and machine operating cost
Cpc = Cm + (CLUL + Ceq)Tc + CLTpp
where Cm = material cost per piece
CL = labor cost per hour
UL = labor utilization factor (machine is
automatic)
Ceq = equipment cost per hour
Tc = cycle time per piece
Tpp = post-processing time per part
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Additive Manufacturing Applications
• Applications of rapid prototyping can be classified into
three categories:
1. Design
2. Engineering analysis and planning
3. Tooling
4. Parts production
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Design Applications
• Designers are able to confirm their design by building a
real physical model in minimum time using RP
• Design benefits of RP:
– Reduced lead times to produce prototypes
– Improved ability to visualize part geometry
– Early detection of design errors
– Increased capability to compute mass properties
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Engineering Analysis and Planning
• Existence of part allows certain engineering analysis and
planning activities to be accomplished that would be
more difficult without the physical entity
– Comparison of different shapes and styles to
determine aesthetic appeal
– Stress analysis of physical model
– Fabrication of pre-production parts for process
planning and tool design
89
Tooling Applications
• Called rapid tool making (RTM) when RP is used to
fabricate production tooling
• Two approaches for tool-making:
1. Indirect RTM method
2. Direct RTM method
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Indirect RTM Method
Pattern is created by RP and the pattern is used to fabricate
the tool
• Examples:
– Patterns for sand casting and investment casting
– Electrodes for EDM
91
Direct RTM Method
RP is used to make the tool itself
• Example:
– 3DP to create a die of metal powders followed by
sintering and infiltration to complete the die
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Parts Production
• Small batches of plastic parts that could not be
economically molded by injection molding because of
the high mold cost
• Parts with intricate internal geometries that could not be
made using conventional technologies without assembly
• Spare parts (make as needed rather than inventory)
• One-of-a-kind parts such as bone replacements that must
be made to correct size for each user
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Problems with Rapid Prototyping
• Part accuracy:
– Staircase appearance for a sloping part surface due to
layering
– Shrinkage and distortion of RP parts
• Limited variety of materials in RP
• Mechanical performance of the fabricated parts is
limited by the materials that must be used in the RP
process
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Example 1
• (SI units) A tube with a rectangular cross section is to be fabricated by
stereolithography. Outside dimensions of the rectangle are 40 mm by 70 mm, and
the corresponding inside dimensions are 32 mm by 62 mm (wall thickness = 4
mm except at corners). The height of the tube (z-direction) = 50 mm. Layer
thickness = 0.10 mm, and laser spot diameter = 0.25 mm. The beam velocity
across the surface of the photopolymer = 750 mm/s. Compute an estimate for the
cycle time to build the part, if 20 s are lost each layer for repositioning and
recoating. Ignore setup time.
• Solution: Layer area Ai same for all layers.
• Ai = 40(70) – 32(62) = 2800 – 1984 = 816 mm2
• Time to complete one layer Ti same for all layers.
• Ti = (816 mm2)/(0.25 mm)(750 mm/s) + 20 s = 4.352 + 20 = 24.352 s
• Number of layers nl = (50 mm)/(0.10 mm/layer) = 500 layers
• Tc = 500(24.352) = 12,176 s = 202.93 min = 3.38 hr
95
Example 2
• (SI units) The cone-shaped part in Problem 32.6 is built using laminated-object
manufacturing. Layer thickness = 0.20 mm. The laser beam can cut the sheet stock at a
velocity of 500 mm/s. Compute an estimate for the time required to build the part, if 25
s are lost each layer to lower the height of the platform that holds the part and advance
the sheet stock in preparation for the next layer. Ignore cutting of the cross-hatched
areas outside of the part since the cone should readily drop out of the stack owing to its
geometry. Setup time for the job = 30 min.
• Solution: For LOM, we need the circumference of each layer, which is the outline to
be cut by the laser beam. For a cone, the total surface area (not including the base) =
R(R2 + h2)0.5
• A = (40)(402 + 402)0.5 = 7108.6 mm2
• Number of layers ni = 40 mm/(0.20 mm/layer) = 200 layers
• Average outside surface area per layer = (7108.6 mm2)/(200 layers) = 35.543
mm2/layer
• Since layer thickness t = 0.05 mm, circumference C = (35.543 mm2)/(0.20 mm) =
177.7 mm
• Average time to cut a layer Ti = (177.7 mm)/(500 mm/s) + 10 s = 0.355 + 25 = 25.355
s
• Tc = 200(25.355) = 5071 s = 84.52 min = 1.41 hr 96