Rapid prototyping is an exciting new technology used to create physical models and functional prototypes directly from CAD models. Rapid tooling concerns the production of tooling using parts manufactured by rapid prototyping. The book describes the characteristics and capabilities of the main known rapid prototyping processes. It covers in detail various commercially available processes such as: Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), and others. The text places a strong emphasis on practical applications and contains an abundance of photographs and diagrams to illustrate clearly the principles of the machines and processes involved.

The term rapid prototyping (RP) refers to a generic group of emerging technologies that enable very quick fabrication of engineering components primarily targeted for prototyping applications. With RP, very complex threeƯ dimensional parts or prototypes can be fabricated without the need of costly tooling and machining. This inevitably leads to much shorter design cycle time and lower cost of building a prototype. Its manifold benefits include significant productivity gains, cost saving, and shortened development time to introduce concept models. As such, RP technologies have attracted tremendous R & D interests from both academia and industry in the past decade. Many different processes and materials have been commercialized and used in industry primarily for the fabrication of physical prototypes. More recent interests in RP technologies are towards functional applications of the fabricated parts, such as in rapid tooling applications and replacements of damaged components. Many processes and materials have been commercialized but are yet to be able to fulfill the aforementioned functional requirements because of limited mechanical strengths of the fabricated parts.

Up-to-date documentation on the current scope of the research of Rapid Prototyping, Tooling and Manufacturing. Explains and details the latest techniques and materials used for RP, RT and RM. Develops methodologies and technologies to support in a customer-focused product design and mass customization approach to production.

The Springer Reference Work Handbook of Manufacturing Engineering and Technology provides overviews and in-depth and authoritative analyses on the basic and cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and sciences across a broad spectrum of areas. These topics are commonly encountered in industries as well as in academia. Manufacturing engineering curricula across universities are now essential topics covered in major universities worldwide.

This book discusses the general concept and applications of rapid tooling technologies and introduces the use of incremental forming for the development of rapid sheet tools. Methods and techniques for tool design and development are discussed, considering their manufacture using incremental forming and complementary processes. The mechanical and thermal performance of sheet metal tools is analyzed. Finally, possible applications are introduced, with the description of some case study examples.