Flexible Manufacturing, Rapid Manufacturing, Direct Manufacturing
Flexible Manufacturing, Rapid Manufacturing, Direct Manufacturing
Rapid Manufacturing can be described as an ‘Additive Fabrication
Technique’ to manufacture solid objects through the chronological
delivery of material and/or energy to precise points in the space for
producing that part. At present, the practice of controlling the
process of manufacturing with the help of computer by making use of
mathematical model that has been created through the computer’s aid
is being followed. Rapid manufacturing, if done with the help of
Parallel Batch Production is capable of providing a huge advantage in
terms of cost and speed in comparison with alternative techniques of
manufacturing like die casting or Plastic Injection Molding.
Origin: Rapid Manufacturing process was first demonstrated at The AUTO
FACT show. The venue was Detroit, MI. The year was 1987. This creation
is attributed to 3D Systems Company. The technologies available now are
inclusive of processes such as Laminated Object Manufacturing, Shape
Deposition Manufacturing, and Selective Laser Sintering.
The present scenario: Rapid manufacturing might involve replacement
parts, custom parts, series production, or Short Run Production. This
process can be referred to as Rapid Prototyping only if the use of the
part is for development. Rapid Manufacturing carried out for big
products with Layer-based Manufacturing from composite materials,
plastics, or metals is widely used for numerous industrial applications
pertaining to aerospace (Boeing) and military (MPH-Optomec) sectors.
Micro system applications and small products are well known in
medicines, sensor technologies (micro TEC), and diagnostics. Batch
production regarding tiny parts by techniques of rapid manufacturing
like RMPD give vent to advantages related to time and cost.
Now days, collectibles, consumer products, orthodontics, dentistry,
jewelry, motor sports, and automotives are being experimented with
rapid manufacturing. Amazing results are expected in future. The world
economy is becoming competitive day by day. Manufacturers are facing
the challenge to deliver novel customized products faster than before
for meeting customer demands. A late delivery or development might
could mean failure of business. Rapid manufacturing has been devised
with the objective of shortening the production cycle and design, and
promising to revolutionize the age-old manufacturing procedures.
The initial process: Before starting with the construction of product,
a prototype or sample is required quite often as a portion of design
cycle, for allowing evaluation, testing, or demonstration of proposed
product. This process is iterative, as a chain of prototypes gets built
up. These prototypes can then be used for testing various options.
Rapid Manufacturing is also inclusive of rapid application of tools
needed for production on a large scale, like jigs, dies, and specially
shaped molds. Several Layer manufacturing Processes are being developed
now, by making use of a wide range of materials. Parts produced so far
have proven to be steadily durable. The size has also been increasing.
Due to all these successes, layer manufacturing is the most sought
after technique for fabricating the parts for functional prototypes as
well as production tools. The process of applying layer manufacturing
for making components utilized in production can be called Rapid
Tooling. It is being applied to investment casting, injection molding,
and many processes related to mold casting.
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