A COMPARISON OF RAPID PROTOTYPING TECHNOLOGIES

Until recently, prototypes had to be constructed by skilled model make rs from 2D engineering drawings. This is a time-consuming and expensiv e process. With the advent of new layer manufacturing and CAD/CAM tech nologies, prototypes may now be rapidly produced from 3D computer mode ls. There are many different rapid prototyping (RP) technologies avail able. This paper presents an overview of the current technologies and comments on their strengths and weaknesses. Data are given for common process parameters such as layer thickness, system accuracy and speed of operation. A taxonomy is also suggested, along with a preliminary g uide to process selection based on the end use of the prototype. (C) 1 998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.