Molding principle: based on the principle of discrete - superposition to achieve rapid processing of prototypes or parts
Features: no machining equipment or molds can be quickly manufactured in the shape of extremely complex workpieces
Introduction:
(Rapid Prototyping& Manufacturing, abbreviated as RP) is a new technology. The late 1980s and early 1990s of the twentieth century and the rapid development of new advanced manufacturing technology. Rapid Prototyping is characterized by the ability to rapidly produce extremely complex workpieces without the need for machining equipment or molds, thus saving time and initial investment in small-lot production or new product trials.
Rapid prototyping here refers to experimental parts that are representative of all properties and functions, generally in small quantities, and are often used for evaluation purposes in new product trials. Rapid prototyping refers to the final product, which already has the best characteristics, functionality and economy.
Rapid Prototyping (RP) molding process: first establish the target part of the three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD 3D) model, and then the solid model in the computer simulation slicing and layering, along the same direction (such as the Z-axis) will be discretized into a CAD solid model of a piece of thin parallel planes; these thin planes of the data information transmitted to the rapid prototyping system in the working The data information of these thin planes is transmitted to the working parts of the rapid prototyping system, and the molding materials used in the controlled prototyping system regularly reproduce the original thin planes one by one, and form the actual three-dimensional solid by accumulating them one by one, and finally become the actual parts after processing.
After more than 20 years of development, rapid prototyping (RP) technology has a greater development, the application is very wide, especially in automotive manufacturing, aerospace, construction, home appliances, health care and entertainment and other fields have a strong application.
At present, there are many types of processes developed based on rapid prototyping (RP), which can be divided according to the materials used and the molding methods.
1) Molding using laser or other light source molding process:
--- Light-curing molding technology (SL)
--- Laminated Solid Manufacturing (LOM)
--- Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
--- Shape Layering Technology (SDM);
2) Molding using raw material injection process:
--- Fused deposition technology (FDM for short)
--- Three-dimensional printing technology (3DP for short)
Other types of processes are:
--- Resin thermo-curing molding (LTP)
--- Solid mask forming (SGC)
--- BFM (Bullet-Forming Particle Molding)
---Space-Forming (SF)
---Solid-Forming-Plate (SFP)
Application:
In terms of the level of development of RPM technology, in China, it is mainly used in the development of design verification of new products (including product replacement) and the trial production of simulated samples, i.e., to complete the development from the conceptual design (or re-design) to the design of a new product (or re-modeling design). Conceptual design (or re-modeling design) - Styling design - Structural design - Basic functional evaluation - Simulated sample trial production. The development process is completed from product conceptual design (or re-modeling design) - styling design - structural design - basic function evaluation - trial production of mock-ups. For some plastic structure-based products can also be small batch trial production, or some physical aspects of the functional test, assembly verification, the actual appearance of the effect of the review, and even small batch assembly of the product first put on the market, to achieve the purpose of throwing stones.
The application of rapid prototyping is mainly embodied in the following aspects:
(1) new product development process of design verification and functional verification. rp technology can quickly convert the product design CAD model into a physical model, so that it can be convenient to validate the designer's design ideas and the product structure of the reasonableness of the assemblage, aesthetics, and found that the design problems can be modified in time. timely modification. If we use the traditional method, we need to complete the drawing, process design, tooling and mold manufacturing and so on, the cycle time is long and the cost is high. If the design is not verified and put into production directly, once there is a design error, it will cause great losses.
(2) manufacturability, assemblability test and supply inquiry, market promotion, the limited space of complex systems, such as automobiles, satellites, missiles, manufacturability and assemblability with the RP method of inspection and design, will greatly reduce the difficulty of design and manufacture of such systems. For complex parts that are difficult to determine, RP, technology can be used for trial production to determine the best reasonable process. In addition, RP prototype is also an effective means of communication in all aspects of the product from design to commercialization. For example, to provide customers with product samples, market promotion, etc., rapid prototyping technology has become a technical way of parallel engineering and agile manufacturing.
(3) single piece, small batch and special complex parts of the direct production. For polymer material parts, available high-strength engineering plastics direct rapid prototyping to meet the use of requirements; for complex metal parts, can be obtained through rapid casting or direct metal parts molding. The application of aviation, aerospace and defense industry has special significance.
(4) rapid mold manufacturing. Through a variety of conversion technology will RP prototype into a variety of rapid molds, such as low melting point alloy molds, silicone molds, metal cold spray molds, ceramic molds, etc., for the production of small and medium parts to meet the rapid replacement of the product, the batch is getting smaller and smaller development trend. Rapid prototyping applications include almost every industry in the manufacturing field, and it has been more and more widely used in the medical, ergonomics, and cultural relics protection industries.
The main applications of rapid prototyping technology in various industries are as follows:
Automobile, motorcycle: the shape and interior parts of the design, modification, assembly test, the engine, the cylinder head trial production.
Home appliances: the shape and structure of a variety of home appliances design, assembly test and functional verification, market promotion, mold manufacturing.
Communication products: product shape and structure design, assembly test, function verification, mold manufacturing.
Aeronautics and aerospace:Direct manufacturing of special parts, trial production of impellers, turbines and blades, trial production and assembly test of engines.