Functional testing using rapid prototyped components and optical measurement

Rapid prototyping manufacturing methods such as stereo-lithography, fused d eposition modelling, enable real parts to be produced very quickly from CAD models but because the parts are produced in materials which are different from the final component, these cannot readily be used for assessing struc tural integrity. Electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) enables f ull-field measurement of surface displacements, both static and dynamic to be made rapidly. This paper proposes the use of these two techniques togeth er to enable the response of parts to static and dynamic loading to be asse ssed early on in the design process. It should be possible to make a qualit ative assessment by observing the form of the deformation or vibration patt ern produced and it may also be possible to make quantitative measurement b y developing suitable scaling methods. Some initial experiments have been m ade looking at the vibration of flat plates and further proposed work is ou tlined. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.