Glossário!
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3D Keltool™ An indirect rapid tooling process using powdered metal and a pattern such as a SL model. This technology is owned by 3D Systems.
3D printing ™ (3DP) a low cost approach to rapid prototyping incorporateing the use of high speed with lower accuracy compared to higher end RP equipment. Sometimes associated with the term “concept modeler”. Original process and terminology developed at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), but now widely used as a generic term.
3D Plotting 3D Plotting by Sanders Prototype Inc.
3D Systems™ (RP OEM) 3D Systems,
Inc.
A manufacturer of stereolithography systems, and multi-jet modeling
(MJM) a type of rapid prototyping printer equipment. (
3D Welding 3D Welding
by
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ACES™ (Accurate Clear Epoxy Solid) a stereolithography build style that offers increased accuracy
and improved surface finish.
Actua™ RP system from 3D Systems . Based on Multi-Jet Modeling technology (MJM), the system has been replaced by the Thermojet.™
aliasing Refers to the jagged lines or edges that can appear in computer-drawn images. Aliasing occurs as a result of using pixels to draw smooth lines or edges.
Air Bubble
Stereolithography Air Bubble Stereolithography
by
alpha test In-house testing of preproduction products to find and eliminate the most obvious design deficiencies. See also beta test
ASCII A code for representing characters in a numeric form. ASCII (pronounced “asskee”) files are text files that can be displayed on a screen or printed without special formatting or using another program.
associative geometry A system that permits placing of graphic elements based on a relationship (for example: parallel to) with existing graphic elements. Elements placed associatively maintain the relationship when the existing graphic element is manipulated.
associativity Operating under a single integrated database structure. Allows engineers to make changes in any application (i.e., design, drawing, assembly, mold, etc.) and have those changes reflected instantly throughout all applications as well as in every deliverable (including: drawings, bill-of-materials, NC toolpaths, etc.)
attribute A unique property of a display element picture or network. The key words placed in an index to facilitate organization and management (i.e., document number, creation dates, or originator). This information is used to query and retrieve a document from the system.
Autostrade (RP OEM) Autostrade Co.,
Ltd.
A manufacturer of stereolithography systems. (
axis (CAD) An imaginary line segment upon which all measurements are made when creating or documenting a CAD model in 3D space. The complete coordinate system is comprised of an X, Y and Z axis.
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b-rep (boundary representation) 1) A database method that defines and stores a solid as a set of vertices, edges, and faces (points, lines, curves and surfaces) which completely enclose its volume. 2) A b-rep does not necessarily define an enclosed volume. For RP, it is desirable for it to do so, but the b-rep can describe open (i.e. nonsense) surfaces.
b-spline (bi-cubic spline) A sequence of parametric polynomial curves (typically quadratic or cubic polynomials) forming a smooth fit between a sequence of points in 3D space.
BPM Ballistic Particle Manufacturing (BPM) by BPM. RP process where wax materials are deposited with an multi-axis ink jet print head.
Beam Interference
Solidification Beam Interference Solidification
by Batelle Development Corporation
beta test An external test of pre-production products in field situations to find those faults that are more likely to show in actual use than in controlled in-house tests. See also alpha test.
Bezier curves A quadratic (or greater) polynomial for describing complex curves and surfaces.
binary system A numbering system in base two, using ones and zeros.
binary word A related grouping of ones and zeroes having meaning assigned by position in the binary system.
bit A single digit number in base-2, or binary notation (either a 1 or zero). The smallest piece of information understood by a computer.
bitmap A matrix of pixels representing an image.
BOM (Bill of Materials) A listing of all subassemblies, intermediate parts and raw materials that go into a parent assembly, showing the quantity of each required.
Boolean operation Algebraic or symbolic formulas used in CAD to expand design rules checking programs and to expedite the construction of geometric figures.
boundary (CAD) A 3D outline of a data volume.
BPM (Ballistic Particle Manufacturing) A rapid prototyping process where wax materials are deposited with an ink jet print head. This company is out of business.
bridge tooling A relative term relating to tooling intended to fill a gap between early prototype, or soft tooling, and full production capable tooling. If production volumes do not materialize as projected, a bridge tool may remain as the production tool.
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CAD (Computer
Aided Design or Computer Aided Drafting) A software program for the
design and documentation of products
in either two or three dimensional space.
CAE (Computer
Aided Engineering) A software method using the design data of CAD for
the analysis of mechanical attributes and behavior. This is accomplished through the use of finite element analysis
(FEA) software for determining mechanical strength and thermal analysis.
CastForm™ Trade name for a polystyrene-based
SLS material by DTM Corporation, primarily used for making investment
casting patterns.
CE (See
Concurrent Engineering)
CEMCOM™ A proprietary rapid tooling process based on stereolithography mold
shells with a ceramic based material for back filling the mold shells
by CEMCOM Incorporated.
children 1) The components of a design instance in a product structure
tree. Also referred to as parts. 2) Nodes in a database tree structure that have a parent. 3) Also refers to features in
parametric modeling. These features are dependent on others for establishing
location in space. If the parent features are changed drastically, the
children can become “orphans”, or unassociated.
clean modeling Refers to the practice of removing geometry from
a model that is not wanted or needed. Also, refers to proper construction technique such as creating
continuous surfaces, minimizing narrow faces, and avoiding small corner
angles to facilitate downstream processes. (also known as post processing)
CMB (Controlled Metal Buildup)
A laser deposition processes commercialized by Albrecht Roders
GmbH & Co KG.
CMET/Teijin Seiki CMET Inc./Teijin
Seiki (RP OEM) A manufacturer
of stereolithography equipment. (
CMM (Coordinate
Measuring Machine) A device that determines 3D spatial coordinates from
a physical part. The output is
typically used for inspection and can be used for reverse engineering.
CNC (Computer Numerical Control)
CNC capabilities are adaptable to a variety of machine tools.
coincidence Refers to geometry that occupies the same spatial location. For example, coincident lines can have differing
lengths while one occupies the same location as the other.
Compacted-powder SLS Compacted-powder SLS by the
compression Process of compacting digital data to reduce file size for electronic
transmission of data archival.
Computer-Aided
Manufacturing of
Laminated Engineering
Materials (CAM-LEM) Computer-Aided Manufacturing
of Laminated Engineering Materials (CAM-LEM) by CAM-LEM Inc./
computer model A set of computer data representing a product or process and capable of being used to simulate the physical product or process behavior.
concept model A model intended primarily
for design review, not meant
to be sufficiently accurate or durable for full functional or physical testing. Examples foam models, 3D printed
parts, rapid prototype parts.
concept optimization/
concept study A research approach that evaluates how specific
product benefits or features contribute to a concept’s overall appeal
to consumers. Product development
tasks that help determine unknowns about the market, technology, or
production processes.
concurrent engineering The organization of product design, development, production
planning and procurement to take place, as far as possible, in parallel
rather than in series. The use
of a project oriented team structure to include input from all concerned
parties from a project’s conception.
conformal cooling Cooling lines in tool that
follow the geometry of the part to be produces, which creates higher
cooling rates and lower times. Unattainable
prior to rapid prototyping techniques, significant research and development
efforts are being made to understand and device optimal cooling strategies.
Contour Crafting (CC) Contour Crafting (CC) by Dr.
Khoshnevis,
Buildup (CMB) Controlled Metal Buildup (CMB)
by Fraunhofer IPT
Copper Polyamide™ A proprietary material offered by DTM corporation
for the SLS process. Used primarily to build soft tooling. Material has been discontinued
with the release of LaserForm.™
corruption A condition in which model files or the modeling code itself
becomes unstable. Corruption
may occur from various causes, most of which are internal system conflicts.
critical path scheduling A project management technique which puts
all important steps of a project into a sequential network based on
task interdependencies.
Cubital (RP OEM) Cubital, Ltd. A manufacturer of solid ground curing equipment. This
process uses a photopolymer resin with a wax type support structure.
(
Curved-layer LOM Curved-layer LOM by
cutting plane A tool that slices through the 3D data exhibiting
characteristics of a plane in the data, including scalar and vector
measurements.
CSG (Constructive
Solids Geometry) It is a CAD modeling technique
that uses a hierarchical representation of instances of solids and combination
operations (union, intersection, difference).
CT scan (Computerized Tomography) 1)
A scanning system based on X-Ray technology used to reverse engineer
or dimensionally verify fabricated 3D geometry. 2) X-Ray based volumetric
scanning used for solid objects (e.g. bone in humans, but also industrial
components) with internal features.
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Denken Solid Laser Diode Plotter System (SLP)
Denken Engineering Denken Engineering Bench-top stereolithography (written
in Japanese).
Design-Controlled
Automated Fabrication
(DESCAF) Light Sculpting Inc.
DFM (Design for Manufacture) A process to insure the part designs
can be manufactured regardless of the process. The objective is to maximize the process rate and
minimize the cost to produce.
DFA (Design
for Assembly) The application of a design philosophy
to insure that parts and part designs are optimized for use in the assembly
process. This step is important when automated assembly equipment is
used to insure parts can be handled, oriented and positioned accurately.
digital modeling The concept of holding the master product design
definition in purely digital form; the
total information set required to specify and document the product. Related terms include virtual prototyping, virtual product development,
soft prototyping and electronic product development.
Direct AIM™ tooling Injection-mold tooling produced directly from
a stereolithography process. (ACES Injection Molding)
Direct Light Fabrication Direct
Light Fabrication by
Direct Light Fabrication
(DLF) Direct Light
Fabrication (DLF) by
Direct
Metal Deposition
(DMD) Direct Metal Deposition (DMD)
by Precision Optical Manufacturing (POM)/The
Direct Metal Fabrication
(DMF) Direct Metal
Fabrication (DMF) by Rockwell International/Ennex Fabrication Technologies
Direct Metal Laser
Sintering (DMLS) Direct Metal Laser
Sintering (DMLS) by EOS
Direct Photo Shaping
(DPS) Direct Photo
Shaping (DPS) by SRI International
Direct Shell Production
Casting (DSPC) Direct Shell Production Casting (DSPC) by Soligen
Direct Tool A process from EOS for creating molds
and dies by the direct laser sintering of metal.
divergent thinking Technique used in the initial phase of idea generation
which expands thinking processes to record a high volume of new or interesting
ideas
DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) The name given to the process of metal sintering by EOS.
documentation A generic term for a wide variety of hardcopy
or on-line reports, drawings, etc. to be used in any aspect of design
or fabrication of a part or product.
DOD Jet (Drop-on-Demand
Jet) An ink jet methodology, now incorporated
in rapid prototyping systems, where the material is deposited in an
non-continuous stream. Deops
are produced and deposited only as required.
DOE (Design
of Experiments) A methodology for running a statistically significant
battery of tests (or
computer simulations) on a design to determine its sensitivity or robustness
to design or manufacturing variations.
dot pitch Dot pitch is the space between pixels. The smaller the number, the sharper the image. A measure of resolution.
dpi (dots per inch) A measure or resolution where dots are equated to
pixels.
drawing conversion The process of moving engineering data from hardcopy
or raster format to CAD format.
Droplet Welding (DROW) Droplet Welding (DROW) by AeroChem Research Laboratory, Division of Titan
Corp.
DSM Somos™ (OEM) DSM Somosâ, part of DSM Desotech, makes materials for
RP systmes. International
chemical and materials producer. DSM Somos
DSPC (Direct Shell
Production Casting) A process that involves depositing liquid binder onto
ceramic powder to form shell molds for investment casting. Invented at MIT, and commercialized by Soligen.
DTM Corporation (RP OEM) DTM Corporation Manufacturer of Selective Laser Sintering, (SLS
â) equipment under the Sinterstation™ brand name. (
DXF (Drawing
Exchange File) A file format that allows for transfer of CAD data among dissimilar systems. Originally devised by Autodeskâ for the AutoCADâ software
program.
Dynamic Tooling PolySteel toolmaking process.
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E-DARTS A stereolithography system
from Autostrade
.
EDM Electrical Discharge Machining
– Uses electric current with a graphite or
copper alloy electrodes to machine metal. The electrodes have the same
geometry as the intended part or profile to be produced (machined).
early adopters Customers who, relying on their intuition or
vision, buy into new product concepts or new manufacturing processes
very early in the life cycle.
economies of scale Achieving low per-unit costs by producing in volume,
permitting fixed costs to be distributed over a large number of products.
economies of scope Achieving low-per unit costs by computerizing production; allows goods to be manufactured economically in small lot sizes.
Electrochemical Fabrication
(EFAB) Electrochemical Fabrication
(EFAB) by Information Science Institute,
element (CAE) The basic building block used in geometric modeling. Elements include points, lines, curves, surfaces, solids, etc.
Develops
the Genie studio fabricator.
EOS (RP OEM) EOS
GmbH
, Electro Optical Systems. A manufacturer of laser sintering
systems. (
Epoxy
tooling A form of indirect rapid tooling where the mold is created by casting an epoxy resin, usually mixed with aluminum powder, against a pattern. Suitable for injection molding in low quantities.
Eosint Laser sintering RP systems
from EOS
.
Express Tool™ A trade name by Express Tool,
an Infinite Group Company for a nickel shell composite rapid tool. Express
Tool uses both electroforming and infiltrated powder methods to transform
high thermal conductivity materials into molds
ExtrudeHone, Inc. ExtrudeHone. ProMetal™ rapid tooling system.
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F&S GmbH (RP OEM) Fockele und Schwarze (
family of parts A group of parts having common
characteristics such as: size, shape and materials
family mold 1) A mold that has 2 or more different geometries. The parts can be
made simultaneously or individually. 2) Mold in which two or more different
geometries are produced. Family molds perform best when the different
parts require similar volumes of material. For parts with different
volumes, processing can be adjusted using different size runners or
with valve gating in a hot runner mold.
facet A polygonal element that represents
the smallest unit of a 3D mesh. These
elements can be either 3 or 4 sided. The mesh represents an approximation
of the actual geometry. Three-sided
(triangular) facets are used in stereolithography files. Both 3 and
4 sided elements are typically used in Finte Element Analysis software.
FDM™ (Fused Deposition Modeling) A patented
rapid prototyping process by Stratasys
Inc. The process extrudes a thermoplastic material
and deposits it on a layer by layer basis to form a part.
FEA (Finite
Element Analysis) A method used in CAD for
determining the structural integrity of a part by mathematical simulation
the part and its loading conditions.
Feature (CAD) Features include
holes, slots, ribs, webs, etc.
feature-based modeling A CAD
modeling method defined by a series of rules that are used to describe
how features interact with each other to construct a specific solid.
Example, the through-hole feature understands the rule that it must
pass completely through the part and will do so no matter how the part
changes.
first-to-market The first product that creates a new product
category.
fixture Used to hold and position the workpiece for a manufacturing operation.
Fockele & Schwarze Stereolithography
systems (
Formus Topographic
Shell Fabrication (TSF) for large parts.
Fraunhofer Society A worldwide group
of some 47 research institutes working to link basic research and industrial
application. (link)
free-form fabrication (FFF) An alternative
description of rapid prototyping. Intended
to describe a broader base of application where components are generated
directly from digital data.
Freeform Powder
Molding (FPM) Freeform Powder
Molding (FPM) by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
free-form surface Contours that cannot be defined with simple linear
or quadric mathematical equations.
FTP (File
Transfer Protocol) A format for transferring
data over the Internet or internal networks.
functional testing The evaluation of a prototype in conditions similar
to those that the product will experience to determine its ability to
operate as specified.
Fused Deposition of
Ceramics (FDC) Fused Deposition of Ceramics
(FDC) by
Fusion Engineering Rapid tooling and 3D prototyping for the plastic injection molding and die cast industries.
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Gantt chart A horizontal bar chart used in project scheduling to show the
start, end, and duration of tasks within the project.
GARPA (Global Alliance of Rapid Prototyping Associations
)
Gas Phase Deposition
(GPD) Gas Phase
Deposition (GPD) by
Genisys RP system from Stratasys
. The process used is extrusion of the material in a
layering process, similar to FDM. This 3D printing
technology uses a polyester based material.
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Helisys (RP OEM) Helisys, Inc.
A previous manufacturer of LOM
(Laminated Object Modeling) equipment. Now known as Cubic Technologies.
Holographic Interference
Solidification Holographic
Interference Solidification by Quadtec
HotPlot HotPlot
by
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IGES (Initial
Graphic Exchange Specification) A standard format for the exchange of
2D and 3D CAD data between dissimilar software systems.
implicitly defined Information that is defined by a situation rather
than by explicit definition. In
solid modeling, an edge defined as the intersection of two surfaces
is implicitly defined.
Incremental Fabrication Incremental Fabrication by Incre Inc.
interference checking A CAD capability that automatically examines the intersection
of objects within a 3D model.
investment casting A manufacturing process, which
utilizes an expendable pattern (the investment), to produce metal parts. A ceramic mold is made by repeatedly dipping the pattern in a
ceramic slurry solution followed by fine grain silica sand. The pattern
is then burned out in an autoclave or furnace, which simultaneously
sinters and strengthens the ceramic shell. Molten metal is then poured
into the shell. After cooling
and solidification, the shell is destroyed to reveal the final metal
part.
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JP-System 5 A simple concept modeling system by Schroff Development, which
cuts layers of label paper with a knife blade on a plotter gantry, requiring
manual stacking of resulting layers.
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Kinergy (RP OEM) Kinergy PTE Ltd. A manufacturer of paper lamination
systems. (
Kira (RP OEM) Kira Corporation. Manufactures a plain paper
3D printer. (
Kirksite tooling Low melting point metal used
in the casting of large mold and form tools to produce low quantities
of parts. This material is generally used to make large parts.
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Laser Profiling Machine
(LPM) Laser Profiling
Machine (LPM) by Liptool Ltd
Laser-aided Powder
Solidification / Powder Jet
(LAPS-J) Laser-aided Powder Solidification / Powder Jet (LAPS-J) by Institute fur Strahlwerkzeuge (IFSW), The University of Stuttgart
Laser-Assisted Chemical
Vapor Deposition
(LCVD) Laser-Assisted
Chemical Vapor Deposition (LCVD) by Georgia Institute of Technology
Laser Assisted Selective
Area Metal Organic
Chemical Vapor
Deposition Laser
Assisted Selective Area Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition
Lasform by AeroMet Lasform by AeroMet
latent surfaces Surfaces that are no longer visible after a
Boolean or intersection operation because they lie inside or outside
the solid.
layer (CAD) A logical separation of data to be viewed
individually or in combination. Similar in concept to transparent acetate overlays.
Layer (RP) A thin
horizontal slice of the STL file used to fabricate a rapid prototype. Typically between
Layer Milling Layer Milling
by
LENS™ (Laser Engineered Net Shaping) The LENS process injects metal powder into a pool of molten
metal created by a focused laser beam, progressing upward forming one
layer at a time. Originally developed at Sandia and later commercialized
by Optomec
. LENS can be used for creating new parts and tooling and also can be
used for repairs.
Light Sculpting Inc. Design-Controlled
Automated Fabrication (DESCAF)
Liquid Metal Jetting Liquid
Metal Jetting by
LMS LMS by Fockele
& Schwarze
LOM by Ceramic
Composite Inc. LOM process which uses ceramic material by Ceramic Composite Inc.
LOM (Laminated Object Manufacturing) A patented rapid prototyping system by Helisys Inc. A laser is used to cut a cross-section from sheet material. These cross-sections are stacked and bonded together to create an object.
LPM (Layered Plate Manufacturing)
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M2SLS Multi-material selective laser
sintrering
manufacturability The extent to which a new product can be easily and
effectively manufactured at minimum cost and with maximum reliability.
mass customization A system of production that stresses the production
of small lots of customized goods rather than large volumes of standardized
products.
mass production Large-scale manufacturing with high-volume production. Reliance on “economies of scale” to achieve
low per-unit costs.
mass properties Properties of a solid which include volume, weight, center of gravity, moments of inertia, etc.
Meiko (RP OEM) Meiko
. A manufacturer of stereolithography systems. (
Melted Extrusion
Manufacturing (MEM) Melted Extrusion Manufacturing (MEM) by CLRF, Tsinghua University/Fang Ming Da Co.
MJS (Multiphase Jet Solidification) Used to build up implants from resorbable materials.
Micromod Developer of an interesting approach to RP; operating at a technology
incubator in the center of
microTEC Stereolithography system designed for miniature parts
MicroTEC Rapid
Micro Product Development (RMPD)
Mitsubishi/CMET Solid Object Ultra-Violet
Laser Plotting (SOUP)
ModelMaker RP systems from Solidscape, Inc. formerly known as Sanders Prototype.
mold inserts 1) Components of a mold core or cavity used to change geometry features in the mold. Provides alternatives to making multiple molds. Or, it is used in the repair of hardened molds to prevent degradation of the surrounding metal if welding was used for the repair. 2) Used in insert molds to insert a complete core and cavity complete with ejector mechanism and cooling into a frame, which is then installed into a molding machine.
Mold SDM Mold Shape Deposition Manufacturing
MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) 1) used to generate cross sectional images of a solid part. Typically used for reverse engineering parts when 2D or 3D documentation is not available. 2) Used medically to can patients as a non-evasive method to check internal structure. 3) Process uses magnets to “align electrons” before creating a computer image. This image can be used to generate a 3D file then used to generate a rapid prototype. 3) Technique similar to CT scanning to examine internal geometry or structures may be verified or reverse engineered.
Multi Jet Modeling (MJM) Multi Jet Modeling
(MJM) by 3D Systems
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NURBS (Non-Uniform
Rational B-Spline) A mathematical description
of a surface created by two or more b-splines.
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Objet (RP OEM) Objet Geometries Ltd.
A manufacturer
of the Quadra™ 3D printer
systems. This process uses an ink jet head to deposit a photopolymer
resin. (
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) A company that uses product components
from one or more other companies to build a product that it sells under
its own company name and brand.
Offset Fabrication Offset Fabrication by Ennex Corporation
Optomec (RP OEM) Optomec Design Company
. A developer of RP & RT
systems using LENS
™ (Laser Engineered Net Shape)
technology. This process uses a laser
to melt powder metals to form structures in a layering process.
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Paper Lamination
Technology (PLT) Paper Lamination Technology (PLT) by Kira Corporation
parametric CAD system A type of CAD methodology that relates the geometry of different
elements of a part that when one element is changed the related features
or parts are modified based on a predetermined correlation.
Patternless Casting
Modeling (PCM) Patternless Casting Modeling
(PCM) by
PDM (Product Data Management) A technology for managing and controlling
all engineering and manufacturing data.
PHAST A proprietary rapid tooling
process developed by Procter & Gamble™ that was granted to The Milwaukee
School of Engineering for further development of this process.
photo-polymer A polymer system that utilizes
light e.g. visible, (visible, ultra-violet) as a catalyst to initiate
polymerization, in which the material cross-links and solidifies. This
technique is used by various rapid prototyping techniques.
pipeline management A process that integrates product strategy, project management,
and functional management to continually optimize the cross-project
management of all development-related activities.
Pixel The dots placed on a cathode-ray
tube to create an image (i.e. television or computer monitor).
PLD Pulsed
Laser Deposition
Plaster mold casting A process form creating small
quantities of metal parts in aluminum, zinc or magnesium. Often used as a prototype method to simulate
die castings. The mold is created
from pattern, with several intermediate steps. Metal is cast into the mold, and like investment casting, the
mold is destroyed to yield the metal casting.
PolySteel™ A trade name and proprietary
rapid tooling material by Dynamic Tooling, used in the casting of mold
cores and cavities with patterns typically made from rapid prototype
equipment. The material has a high content of steel particles in the
epoxy matrix.
post processing A common practice required
with most, or all rapid prototype systems, refers to clean-up procedures
required on most RP models after they are removed from the RP machine. May require mechanical or
chemical removal of support structures, powder removal and surface finishing.
PPD Point wise Powder Deposition
pre-production unit A product that looks and works like the intended final
product, but is made either by hand of in pilot facilities rather than
by the final production process.
primitives The lowest state of a solid model. A solid of surface that is not derived from other elements, such as
a box, cone, cylinder, etc. Primitives
are used by the CSG modeling method.
product data All engineering
data necessary to define the geometry, the function, and the behavior
of a product over its entire life span, including logistic elements
for quality, reliability, maintainability, topology, relationship, tolerances,
attributes, and features necessary to define the item completely for
the purpose of design, analysis, manufacture, test, and inspection.
production tooling 1) Hardened tooling intended to create large volumes (quantities) of parts. The molds should last the life of the products produced.
2) Typically machined from steel, production tools are used for the
mass production manufacturing of wax, polymer or die cast components.
These tools can typically make over 1 million parts or cycles.
ProMetal™ A rapid tooling process commercialized
by Extrude Hone, Inc., using laser sintered powder metallurgy. The process
technology is based on the MIT 3D printing technology. The process generates
a “green” part by fusing the polymer binder with the laser. The parts
must then be debound and sintered to make the complete tool. This process
can create conformal cooling channels, which is desirable for improved
molding process performance.
prototype A physical model of a new part or product. Depending upon the purpose, prototypes may be non-working, functionally
working, or both functionally and aesthetically complete. Derived from latin for “first form”.
prototype tooling Short life tooling used in the fabrication of molded,
stamping and dies and other parts. This tooling approach has a low life
expectancy compared to hardened production tooling. Prototype tools
can yield from 1 to as many as 50,000 parts depending on methods and
materials utilized.
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Quadra™ A Rapid prototyping system by Objet, based on ink-jet technology and
photo polymerization.
Quadrax Laser
Technologies Inc. Mark 1000 by Quadrax Laser Technologies Inc. (company merged to 3D Systems in 1992)
Quick Cast™ A trade name of 3D Systems
for a stereolithography build style that reduces the mass of the pattern
to accommodate the investment
casting process.
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Rapid
Freezing
Prototyping (RFP) Rapid Freezing Prototyping (RFP) by New Jersey Institute of Technology
rapid prototyping (RP) An additive
process which uses specialized equipment to grow parts in a layering
process. The process uses a numerical data set representing the 3D geometry,
such as a stereolithography file, to grow the part by layering. Each RP equipment supplier has proprietary software
to slice the geometry into layers for use in the equipment. RP processes
use different manufacturing approaches using metals, polymers, paper
and other materials to generate the free form fabricated parts.
RapidTool™ A rapid tooling process from
DTM Corp. that utilizes laser sintering and powdered metal.
rapid tooling Digitally-driven tooling that decreases time
and/or expense in securing prototype parts in production intended materials. Commonly uses rapid prototyping to directly or indirectly produce
the desired core and cavity.
raster A two-dimensional array of pixels which when displayed form an
image or representation of an original document.
RBC RoboCasting
redlining (CAD) 1) Facility for annotating on-screen documents
by transmitting overlaid comments and sketches. 2) Process of marking
documentation for requested changes to part, tooling or specification
documentation.
RSLA Refrigerative
rendering (CAD) The process of adding shading, colors, reflectivity,
textures, etc., to a solid model to make it appear realistic.
reverse engineering 1) Process of re-creating an existing product or part into CAD data
and determining the manufacturing process. 2) The process of analyzing
an existing physical component to enable the fabrication of similar
or exact geometry. In rapid prototyping, the process often requires
the conversion of physical coordinates to digital CAD data by a variety
of techniques, which can then be modified or used to rapid prototype
copies of the part.
RFP (Request for Proposal) A bid package, submitted to potential
vendors, that solicits price and delivery information for a program
or project.
RFQ (Request
for Quotation) Similar to an RFP, but generally used when requesting
individual parts.
Roders (RP OEM) Albrecht
Roders GmbH & Co
KG
.
RPBPS Rapid Pattern Based Powder
Sintering
RPA/SME (Rapid Prototyping Association of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers
)
rp-ml (Rapid Prototyping mailing List
) An Internet forum for the online discussion of topics related to rapid
prototyping.
rubber plaster mold (See plaster mold casting)
process
rugby process A product development process in which stages
are partially or heavily overlapped rather than sequential with crisp
demarcations between one stage and another.
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Selective Area Laser
Deposition (SALD) Selective Area Laser Deposition
(SALD) by
Selective Laser Reaction
Sintering (SLRS) Selective Laser
Reaction Sintering (SLRS) by
SALDVI Selective Area Deposition and
Vapor Infiltration
Sanders Prototype (RP OEM) Sanders Prototype, Inc.
now known as Solidscape, Inc. A manufacturer of systems, based
on ink jet technology, which deposit wax. (
Schroff Development (RP OEM) Schroff Development Corp
. A manufacturer of paper lamination systems. (
SCS (Solid
Creation System) A version of stereolithography equipment by Sony/D-MEC.
Selective Laser Sintering
of Ceramics Selective Laser Sintering of Ceramics by Rheinisch-Westfalische Technische Hochschule Aachen
service bureau 1) Company or group of companies providing engineering, prototyping
or manufacturing support to other companies who do not have the capability.
2) For rapid prototyping, a commercial entity that specializes in providing
rapid prototyping and peripheral services to a customer base.
SGC (Solid Ground Curing) A patented RP process
by Cubital
. The process utilizes a UV sensitive
photopolymer and solidifies complete layers at a time by use of a mask.
Shape Deposition
Manufacturing
(SDM) Shape Deposition
Manufacturing (SDM) by
shell A solid model defined by a surface, thickness, and surface normals,
such as formed sheet metal.
short run tooling Tooling created for low volume
(i.e. normally less than 100 samples) production
silicone rubber tooling A soft tooling technique which
often utilizes room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) rubber materials to
tools from machined or rapid prototype patterns. Commonly used to produce small
lots (25 to 100 pieces) in urethane materials.
SL (StereoLithography) A process that builds
an object, a layer at a time, by curing photosensitive resin with a
laser-generated beam of ultraviolet radiation.
SLM (Selective Laser Melting)
SLPR Selective Laser Powder Re-melting
SLS (Selective
Laser Sintering) A patented rapid prototyping
process by DTM
Corporation using a
laser to fuse powdered materials and build an object layer-by-layer.
Selective Laser Sintering
of Ceramics Selective Laser Sintering of Ceramics by
Rheinisch-Westfalische Technische Hochschule Aachen
SMP (Symmetric Multi-Processing)
solid modeling 3D CAD modeling technique that represents all
physical characteristics of an object, including volume, mass, and weight. Defines a closed volume, preferred over surface models for RP.
Solidscape, Inc. (RP OEM) formerly known as Sanders
Prototype, Inc.. Manufacturers of rapid prototyping
equipment. Their process is based on ink-jet technology. The
process deposits a polymer/wax along with a support structure producing
small accurate RP models. (
Soliform A stereolithography system
from Teijin
Seiki.
Somos™ 1) The name of the business
unit of DSM Desotech that offers materials for stereolighobraphy and
other rapid prototyping systems. Also the brand name of materials from this company. The original name for the RP technology developed
by DuPontâ and later licensed to Aaroflex (U.S.) and Teijin Seiki (
Sony/D-MEC (RP OEM) Sony/D-MEC LTD. A manufacturer of stereolithography
equipment. (
SOUP (Solid Object
Ultraviolet Plotter) A version of stereolithography equipment by NTT Data/CMET.
spin casting 1) A process using rubber molds to create low temperature metal castings
of parts. The mold is rotated while the material is poured into the
center. Centrifugal force helps fill and pack out the mold as the molten
material is poured and kept rotating until the material solidifies.
2) Often used in the jewelry industry, this casting technique relies
on rotational forces in a spinning mold to push the molten metal into
a thin or small feature areas of a shell. 3) Molds are placed
radially from a center pour cup. The entire assembly is spun while a
molten metal or liquid is introduced to the pour cup. This allows centrifugal
force to enhance the filling of the molds.
Sprayform™ A trade name and technology
owned by the Ford Motor Company. This process uses wire arc spray onto
a ceramic mold pattern to generate metal tooling.
spray metal tooling A process for creating prototype or bridge tooling through metal deposition onto a pattern using wire arc spray, vacuum plasma deposition or similar technique. After creation of the metal tool face, epoxy or other materials are used to backfill the tool to add strength.
Stereolithography A process that builds an object,
a layer at a time, by curing photosensitive resin with a laser-generated
beam of ultraviolet radiation. Originally applied to the technology of 3D Systems,
the term has broadened to include all technologies that process prototypes
in this manner.
Stereos Stereolithography equipment by EOS
.
STL A neutral
file format used that is exported from CAD systems for use as input
to rapid prototyping equipment. The
file contains point data for the vertices of the triangular facets that combine to approximate
the shape of an object. Acronym is derived from the word StereoLithography.
Many 3D CAD and solid modeling sotware suppliers support this format
in binary and ASCII formats.
Stratasys (RP OEM) Stratasys, Inc.
Manufacturer of FDM
(fused deposition modeling) rapid prototyping equipment. (
surface A boundary defining an exterior face of a solid model. The surface is typically defined beyond the
limits of the face. Enlarging
the extent of the face still yields a valid face on the solid.
support structure Most free form systems
(
surface modeling A CAD modeling method that defines a part by its innermost and outermost boundries. The model does not contain any mass between the boundries.
Swiftool
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TALC (Technology Adoption Life Cycle) A business model that describes the adoption of technology
through an analysis of purchasing traits.
TDP (technical data package) Product data management information
typically accompanying a request for proposal package going to vendors,
adequate to support acquisition of an item.
Teijin Seiki (RP OEM) Teijin Seiki Co. Ltd. A manufacturer of Soliform
stereolithography equipment. (
Therics TheriForm 3D printer, for pharmaceutical and medical applications, Also, manufactures medicine (time release pills)
ThermoJet™ RP system from 3D Systems. Uses Multi-Jet Modeling (MJM)
technology.
time to market The length of time it takes to develop a new
product from an early idea to initial market sales. Precise definitions of start and end point vary.
tooling A generic term used to describe the “tooling“ used in the mass
production of parts and assemblies. Examples are; injection molds, die
cast dies, stamping dies, casting patterns, welding fixtures and other
equipment used in the manufacture of parts.
TruSurf TruSurf
by Gilmore Engineers Pty Ltd
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Ushio (RP OEM) Ushio
(UniRapid Inc.) A manufacturer of stereolithography equipment. (
UV (UltraViolet
radiation) Often used in the curing of photopolymer resins.
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Vantico A Manufacturer of CibaToolâ materials for the stereolithography
progress.
virtual prototyping The computer based generation
of 3D geometry for analyzing product design features. Often associated with immersive environments
where the digital data is presented with realism and offers an ability
to interact with the digital design as if it were real.
Voxel A volume cell. It is the 3D equivalent of
the pixel
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Water Works A trade name and patented process
by Stratasys, used in their FDM rapid prototyping equipment that allows
models (or assemblies) to be made with movable parts already assembled.
The support material is dissolved in a water-based solution.
white metal
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Z Corp. (RP OEM) Z Corporation. A Manufacturer of equipment based on the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, (MIT) 3D printing technology. The materials used are a starch like powder bound with a binder
using ink jet printing.(
Zippy Rapid prototyping systems from Kinergy,
based on paper lamination.