2134/3561
Neil Hopkinson
Neil
Hopkinson
Phill M. Dickens
Phill M.
Dickens
Analysis of rapid manufacturing—using layer manufacturing processes for production
Loughborough University
2008
Rapid prototyping
Rapid manufacturing
Injection moulding
Medium volume manufacture
Mechanical Engineering not elsewhere classified
Mechanical Engineering
2008-08-13 10:39:18
Journal contribution
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Analysis_of_rapid_manufacturing_using_layer_manufacturing_processes_for_production/9560924
Rapid prototyping (RP) technologies that have emerged over the last 15 years are all
based on the principle of creating three-dimensional geometries directly from computer aided design
(CAD) by stacking two-dimensional pro les on top of each other. To date most RP parts are used for
prototyping or tooling purposes; however, in future the majority may be produced as end-use
products. The term ‘rapid manufacturing’ in this context uses RP technologies as processes for the
production of end-use products.
This paper reports ndings from a cost analysis that was performed to compare a traditional
manufacturing route (injection moulding) with layer manufacturing processes (stereolithography,
fused deposition modelling and laser sintering) in terms of the unit cost for parts made in various
quantities. The results show that, for some geometries, it is more economical to use layer
manufacturing methods than it is to use traditional approaches for production in the thousands.