Appliance Design - October 2007 - (Page 38)

PROTOTYPING rication technologies gradually add material layer-by-layer to build the prototype. Software takes a CAD model and digitally captures cross sections, each cross section a microscopic part layer. The prototyping machine lays down these successive layers of materials to create complex parts. They do have limitations in terms of size and materials that can be used. Another potential drawback is that the edges of the successive layers can create waviness on the surface of the part, requiring a secondary operation to smooth them out. This effect is lessened when thinners layers are used, but these higher resolution machines operate more slowly because using thinner layers requires more layers to be put down. Subtractive fabrication techniques are those that take a larger block of material and utilize CNC milling technology to remove material and generate the prototype. The technology is fast, produces an accurate representation of the part, and can be used on most any type of plastic or metal material. “I personally would bet on the commercial viability of intelligent subtractive prototyping over any of the additive prototyping processes,” says Brad Cleveland, president of Protomold, Maple Plain, Minn. “Not only do they produce parts in the engineer’s choice of materials, but they also match the end production process, which is a critical factor in bringing a new product to market.” Protomold’s sister company, First Cut Prototype specializes in the CNC machining of plastic parts. Both are owned by Proto Labs. A rapid prototyping machine can generate an accurate representation of a part and is good for testing form, fit, and potentially even function. In terms of additive fabrication, the various prototyping technologies can be used at different points in the design cycle. Early in the design stage, concept models can be produced to define the shape and size of the product. Later, form and fit models can be created; if a prototype has two or more pieces, or must fit into another component, these models can be used to ensure that the prototypes fit together accurately, that holes align, snaps work, and mating surfaces mate. Rapid prototyping machines are generally limited to making smaller parts than A new FDM machine from Stratasys. www.domotechnica.com International Trade Fair for Household Appliances domotechnica selection | global sources | components Cologne, Germany February 18 – 21, 2008 Koelnmesse Inc., Ms. Cheryl J. Peteherych 8700 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 640 North Chicago, Illinois 60631, USA Tel.: +1 (773) 326 9923 Fax: +1 (773) 714 0063 c.peteherych@koelnmessenafta.com For more Information Enter 115 AD10074Koel.indd 1 38 applianceDESIGN October 2007 9/13/07 12:01:02 PM www.applianceDESIGN.com http://www.domotechnica.com http://www.domotechnica.com http://www.appliancedesign.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Appliance Design - October 2007

Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch Applying Powder Coatings to Plastic Parts is No Longer a Pipe Dream New Technology Platform Provides the Ability for a single IC to Control Two- Motors in a Single Appliance, Simplifying Motor Control Design Advanced Motor-Control Techniques have Become More Accessible to a Wider Array of Appliances, Helping to Improve Efficiency and Reduce Noise Adding USB Host Capability to Appliances Permits In-Field Programming and Acquisition of Test Data ZigBee Modules Make it Easier to Design Wireless Connectivity into Applications New Concepts such as Rapid Tooling and Rapid Injection Molding Provide Stepping Stones Between Prototyping and Full Scale Production A Number of Factors and New Developments Affect the Decision on Whether to Build Prototypes In-House or Outsource to a Service Bureau DesignMart Advertiser’s Index Association Report: CEA

Appliance Design - October 2007

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