Rapid prototyping (RP) technology has been widely known and appreciated due to its flexible and customized manufacturing capabilities. The widely studied RP techniques include stereolithography apparatus (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), three-dimensional printing (3DP), fused deposition modeling (FDM), 3D plotting, solid ground curing (SGC), multiphase jet solidification (MJS), laminated object manufacturing (LOM). Different techniques are associated with different materials and/or processing principles and thus are devoted to specific applications. RP technology has no longer been only for prototype building rather has been extended for real industrial manufacturing solutions. Today, the RP technology has contributed to almost all engineering areas that include mechanical, materials, industrial, aerospace, electrical and most recently biomedical engineering. This book aims to present the advanced development of RP technologies in various engineering areas as the solutions to the real world engineering problems.

Modern engineering often deals with customized design that requires easy, low-cost and rapid fabrication. Rapid prototyping (RP) is a popular technology that enables quick and easy fabrication of customized forms/objects directly from computer aided design (CAD) model. The needs for quick product development, decreased time to market, and highly customized and low quantity parts are driving the demand for RP technology. Rapid prototyping is a group of techniques used to quickly fabricate a scale model of a physical part or assembly using three-dimensional computer aided design data. Construction of the part or assembly is usually done using 3D printing or ""additive layer manufacturing"" technology. Until recently, prototypes had to be constructed by skilled model makers from 2D engineering drawings. This is a time-consuming and expensive process. With the advent of new layer manufacturing and CAD/CAM technologies, prototypes may now be rapidly produced from 3D computer models. There are many different rapid prototyping (RP) technologies available. Rapid Prototyping Technology - Principles and Functional Requirements delivers up-to-date information about RP technology focusing on the overview of the principles, functional requirements, design constraints etc. of specific technology.

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.

Advanced Gear Manufacturing and Finishing offers detailed coverage of advanced manufacturing technologies used in the production of gears, including new methods such as spark erosion machining, abrasive water jet machining, additive layer manufacturing, laser shaping, and sustainable manufacturing of gears. The industry in this area is constantly producing new settings where gears must endure ever increasing stresses, strains, and temperatures. Advanced methods in manufacturing, finishing, and surface property enhancement have emerged in recent years to meet these challenges. This unique book takes a critical look at the state-of-the-art research into these new methods, and the latest improvements to classic technologies in both gear manufacturing and finishing. This book is essential reading for researchers and engineers working in the fields of powertrain manufacturing, gear technology, and advanced manufacturing technologies. - Describes the machining systems, main components, and working procedures with the help of diagrams and photos. - Demonstrates the mechanisms and capabilities of new methods. - Shows improvements to a range of gear manufacturing and finishing technologies. - Provides a critical review of recent research in a range of fields relevant to gear manufacturing technologies.

The urgent need to keep pace with the accelerating globalization of manufacturing in the 21st century has produced rapid advancements in technology, research and innovation. This book presents the proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Manufacturing Research incorporating the 33nd National Conference on Manufacturing Research (ICMR 2018), held in Skövde, Sweden, in September 2018. The aim of the conference is to create a friendly and inclusive environment, bringing together researchers, academics and industrialists with practical and theoretical knowledge to share and discuss emerging trends and new challenges. The book is divided into 12 parts, covering areas such as the manufacturing process; robots; product design and development; smart manufacturing; and lean, among others. Covering both cutting-edge research and recent industrial applications, the book will appeal to all those with an interest in recent advances in manufacturing technology.

In the automotive and aerospace industries, the need for strong yet light materials has given rise to extensive research into aluminum and magnesium alloys and formable titanium alloys. All of these are categorized as light weight materials. The distinguishing feature of light weight materials is that they are low density, but they have a wide range of properties and, as a result, a wide range of applications. This book provides researchers and students with an overview of the recent advancements in light weight material processing, manufacturing and characterization. It contains chapters by eminent researchers on topics associated with light weight materials, including on the current buzzword “composite materials”. First, this book describes the current status of light weight materials. Then, it studies applications of these materials, given that, as the densities vary, so do the applications, ranging from automobiles and aviation to bio-mechatronics. This book will therefore serve as an excellent guide to this field.