Multiaxis Rapid Prototyping Neil Sewell Dr Martin Jenkins

Multi-axis Rapid Prototyping Neil Sewell Dr. Martin Jenkins & Dr. Richard Everson

Overview n What is RP, why use it, who uses it? n Previous work n Current work and Future work n Lab demonstration

Rapid Prototyping – 3 types n Type 1 - DTM Laser sinterstation

Rapid Prototyping n Type 2 - 3 D Systems’ Stereolithography

Rapid Prototyping n Type 3 - 3 D Printers

RP – Why use it? n n n Injection moulds are expensive to produce One-off test pieces can be used in real world Great for real world ergonomic testing

RP – Who uses it? n Virtually all major device manufacturers n Designers & Prototypers n One-off producers

Previous work. . . n SARP is Single Axis Rapid Prototyping

SARP – Single Axis RP n SARP is quick, cheap and easy. n n n Allows building of quite complex models Is fast and efficient But… n n Will not allow for large overhangs Is not to the same resolution

Examples of SARP n Cubes n Spheres n Arches n Logos

Current work. . . n MARP is Multi Axis Rapid Prototyping n Still uses VMC, Hot glue nozzle and glue n Different, more complex software n Add-on 4 th and 5 th Axis units to rotate models

MARP – Multi Axis RP n Models with overhangs could be built n Building direction is continuously changed n Models created would of better quality n The process would be quicker

How to MARP – Step 1 n Perform analysis of object - create a usable data structure.

How to MARP – Step 2 n Select start location & direction

How to MARP - Step 3 n Start the edge following process

How to MARP – Step 4 n Create machine instructions n Use glue path to locate x, y, z position n Use facet data to provide rotation values n Use collision detection methods! (Lab demonstration at end of presentation)

Latest Work n Uses many rules n n Edge vector creation & analysis Unnecessary edge deletion & detection Improvement & Optimisation techniques Current problems include n n n Holes in model Sticky tight corners Finishing problems

Conclusion n MARP work is going well - But is difficult n Software n n Multiple data lists Edge following Uses Downhill Simplex Method Started testing Simulated Annealing

Conclusion n Realism with MARP - What can it build? n Difficult shapes n Disjoint shapes n Really complex shapes?

Thank you for listening… n Questions n Visit to lab for Multi-Axis demonstration