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Mechanical
Engineering Rapid Prototyping Machine |
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The
Department of Mechanical Engineering at the The Rapid
Prototyper allows users to take any object drawn in a 3D software
package such as PRO-E or Solidworks and converts it into a solid
plastic model. This allows students to prototype their
designs and test fit parts as part of the design
process, helping to ensure a functional final product. The
protoyper maintained by the ME department builds models out of ABS plastic by extruding a bead of
0.010 thick material in
progressive layers. The model is supported by layers of soluble
support resin that can be removed manually, or by soaking
in a sodium hydroxide solution. The end result is a permanent ABS
model of your part. User
Guides: The
Prototyper builds on a
10x10 inch platform and can build up to 12 inches high, so all models
must fit within those dimensions. While the modeler extrudes a bead of
plastic
0.010 inches thick this does not necessarily mean that you can build a
feature
0.010 inches thick. A good rule of thumb is no feature should be
thinner
than 0.05 inches, although that will vary from part to part. The
precision of
the model dimensions also varies from part to part. Dimension doesn't
publish
any values for model precision, so if your application requires close
tolerances, you will probably have to test several models. Note that
"rapid" is relative. Small parts with few features take several hours
to build while complex parts must be built over one or more days.
Because the
machine builds a part in horizontal slices from the bottom up, any
overhanging
features must have support material built up to them from the bottom.
(This
support material is broken away after the part is finished.) Thus, the
number
of overhanging features in a part often contributes more to the total
build
time than does the part's overall size. This, among other things, is
something
to be considered when determining whether rapid prototyping is an
appropriate
technology for prototyping your part. In order
to build a model,
you must send the machine manager a .STL file. In most CAD programs
there is an
option to "save as" .STL. A good guide for first time users is
available here.
Please be aware that this is a basic guide and you may
have to
play around with some of the variables (such as chord height and angle)
to
produce a model that you are happy with.
Prototyping
Costs: The RP
machine is a free resource for all students currently registered in any
Mechanical Engineering class with an academically related prototyping
project. All other university affiliated individuals (students in
other departments, researchers, etc.) will be charged the cost of the
modeling material for their part, which is currently about $5.00 per
cubic inch. Please note that Rapid Prototyping is not an instantaneous
process, and that you should contact us well in advance of running your
part in order to ensure that your pieces are ready when you need them.
In the event that there are several requests for modeling within the
same time period the modeling order is determined by the RP machine
manager. At most other times, pieces are run on a first come first
serve basis. Contact Professor
Durfee or the RP machine
manager if you would like to discuss the possibility of running a
part on the RP machine. Resource
Links: Stratasys rapid
manufacturing and prototyping systems Dimension SST dimension
printing technology Contacts: RP Manager: Victor Okali okali002@umn.edu. Or the ME4054 TA for the academic year. RP Laboratory Head:
Prof. Will Durfee, wkdurfee@umn.edu If you
have questions about the RP machine, see Prof. Will Durfee (tel:
625-0099, e-mail: wkdurfee@umn.edu ). |
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Maintained by Brenen Thul, thulx014@umn.edu Last
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