In an age where better, faster, and cheaper is the mantra for product development, rapid prototyping is recognized for its ability to help companies achieve these goals simultaneously. However, determining when to apply rapid prototyping requires an understanding of the technology, the process, and its strengths and weaknesses. User's Guide to Rapid Prototyping will help designers, engineers, executive management, and others in the company understand how to apply rapid prototyping technologies such as 3D printing, stereolithography, selective laser sintering, and fused deposition modeling to the product development process. Intertwined with rapid prototyping, the processes of rapid tooling and rapid manufacturing are also discussed. An aid to making informed business decisions, the book provides information about when it may be right to implement rapid prototyping in-house versus going to a service provider. The path through justification, evaluation, and implementation is outlined. Readers will gain insights into the benefits, risks, and limitations of each technology.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 : Introduction
Chapter 2 : Overview
Chapter 3 : The Rapid Prototyping Process
Chapter 4 : Classes of Rapid Prototyping Systems
Chapter 5 : Applications and Benefits
Chapter 6 : Rapid Prototyping versus CNC Machining
Chapter 7 : Rapid Prototyping Technologies
Chapter 8 : Developing a Justification
Chapter 9 : Evaluation and Implementation
Chapter 10 : Rapid Tooling and Rapid Manufacturing
Chapter 11 : Moving Forward
Appendix A : Case Studies
Appendix B : Additional Resources
Appendix C : Glossary
Index
