Rapid Prototype Blog

Archive for January, 2010

The basic principle in fast prototyping is done in broad applications on wide range concept designs. The range covers no bound, but commonly applied to medical, engineering, and commercial discipline. It involves the digital capabilities of computers to do its complex processes. To make it easier to understand, the essence of quick prototyping starts from the word simulation.

Come visit us right here for more Rapid Prototype Info and get two Prototyping Ebooks Inject Mold.
http://www.prototypezone.com/

Fast prototyping starts from drawing boards or papers, whether graphically drawn or written, the concept takes off and digitally represented. An example of this is when sensitive surgical operations involve wasting away one life to execute, the studies are accomplished not just by diagnosing but the whole process has to be simulated with computers.

Say, a cranium ( of the skull ) can be transformed artificially from 3D generated prototyped models in its exact form for planned techniques before the execution takes place. Pre-operations with the use of this system will lessen the danger of failure than the conventional way of imagination only .

Today, in the appearance of vectors, or mathematically computed imagery manipulated by computers, designs can be simulated to scales with awfully minimal error or difference of less than one millimeter. Applied to engineering jobs, mechanical and any other discernible items are pre-designed through fast prototyping.

Clients are in a position to see realistic pictures of simulations, can scrap everything or do changes without wasting unbeatable funds for precise samples, excepting the design payment of the particular stage.

Models are machine prototyped for better visibility and appreciation. Achieved as 3d designs, it is simple to manipulate physical property changes with computers although it makes the whole method fast, reliable and rewarding.

It takes teamwork to achieve fast prototyping and the applying of its guidelines in a particular field. Essentially, almost all of the jobs are done in the design schematic process. It is now part of any sensitive productions to do fast prototyping before deciding on how the project or product will do or die it own future in the market. Or in the event of surgical applications, it helps in the critical steps the specialists will take part in a potentially fatal solution fast prototyping can offer.

As advancements go further, fast prototyping will gear to better enhancements. It’ll always involve extra cost to a company or organizations, but the benefit is something the world can’t let go as a easy life-saving advantage. It is one of the great achievements of the digital age.

Come visit us right here for more Rapid Prototype Info and get two Prototyping Ebooks Inject Mold.
http://www.prototypezone.com/

Utilizing 3D modeling design students can experience various engineering and product development processes as they use computer assisted design (CAD) software to build models from their very foundation. A whole host of projects for the classroom can be enhanced using 3D modeling design, including calculus, chemistry, computer programming and physics. The only limitation on 3d modeling design projects is the imagination of teachers and students.

3D models design Discovery in the Classroom
3D models design Ideal for Student Learning

3D models design Discovery in the Classroom

Using 3d modeling design students can experience the process enabling them to produce prototypes and models as they discover how inkjet nozzles deposit fabrication materials on to a building platform in layers thereby producing a three dimensional model. 3D prototyping in the classroom can reveal how rapid prototyping technology has been used in various industries through hands on design projects. Teachers could educate students using 3D modeling design projects regarding the properties of various polymers, plastics and metals used in the fabrication of models during rapid prototyping. The study of 3D modeling design in the classroom would open up a wide variety of interests as students were able to complete projects from start to finish.

In industry, 3D prototyping requires the talents of many people working in a coordinated manner to reach a desired goal. By organizing students into design teams and using 3D models design formats, students would learn how to contribute and coordinate their activities to reach a common goal as design team members. Comprehensive 3D models design projects would require students to design, plan and implement project objectives and encourage them to cooperatively work toward completion of those objectives. Contributions on many different levels would be possible by all members on a 3D models design team with each one working toward the successful result of producing a working project prototype.

3D models design Ideal for Student Learning

Being introduced to a 3D modeling design project would give students a glimpse into the world of professional design and allow them to discover what it would mean to have a career as a member of a design company. The 3D modeling design project would allow them to see the many roles involved and the skills necessary to be a contributing member of a design team. 3D prototyping projects are an excellent avenue toward releasing a number of skills and ambitions for students. As a design team member students could express creativity, innovation and knowledge as they complete a 3D prototyping project which has drawn from a number of academic disciplines.

3D modeling design projects could be organized to show students the relevancy and dependency of various disciplines that might otherwise seem separate. Students can discover first hand how computer skills, architectural skills and engineering skills all can come together and work to produce a product that is better and more functional then the products before it. 3D modeling is an excellent venue for releasing and innovation and creativity possessed by the students as they strive together to complete projects. A classroom using 3D prototyping projects would benefit both teachers and students by providing an almost unlimited application of skills and knowledge.

3D Printing Prototyping Applications

3 D printing technology also called rapid prototyping is a system utilizing computer assisted design software (CAD) in the creation of three dimensional models. Engineers and designers use 3 D printing to complete prototype production of new design models. Advancing technologies have been steadily developing and many advantages have resulted in advanced hardware, software and fabrication materials used in available rapid prototype systems. 3 D printing advancements today provides for faster and more cost efficient prototypes then the fabrication technologies of the past. 3 dimensional printing advantages include the elimination of expensive prototyping tools and the expense of retaining skilled craftsmen to produce design models. 3D printing has made the process of prototyping convenient, easy and more rapid.

The advantages of using (CAD) software in 3 D printing are numerous in relation to traditional prototyping technology. Traditional prototyping technologies employed plastic formers to create models required large, bulky equipment which required a major investment for the companies. 3 dimensional printing advancements have steadily produced systems that are more compact and cost efficient to purchase and operate. 3 dimensional printing has reduced set up time and simplified operation requirements. This has made them a popular choice for the creating hobby models and toys. 3 dimensional printing advancement is currently being stimulated by the hobby and toy industries that intend on marketing printers to small business and consumers. Requirements for continual 3 D printing technology advancements will be the development of new fabrication materials, applications and markets.

3D Printing and Testing Prototypes

Product development and marketing companies use prototypes and models produced by 3-D printing for the purpose of conducting consumer testing groups. These testing groups are seeking feedback from consumers and manufacturers during the product design process. At this stage of the process data gained is used to affect design changes as a product is prepared for manufacturing and distribution. 3 dimensional printing is a crucial tool for facilitating the design changes and rapidly producing a new product prototype. 3D printing applications for marketing research and development cuts the amount of time necessary for producing prototypes and preparing a product for market.

3 dimensional printing plays an important role in the production of prototypes for research and development testing. Prototypes can be produced, tested and redesigned until the engineering is almost perfect. Instead of gaining performance data on a product after it has gone out into the field of operation; 3D printing allows performance data and redesign to be performed more rapidly, efficiently and cost effectively.

Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off of its first hybrid car for passenger, the S400 Blue HYBRID. Based on the S350, this mild hybrid auto pairs an electric motor/generator and the first lithium-ion battery in a production car with a specially tuned version of the company’s 3.5L V6 driving the wheels through a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Lithium-ion batteries are ideally suited for use in hybrid vehicles to help reducing fuel consumption and thus also CO2 emissions. At the same time, the Daimler engineers are investigating to what degree this technology can be applied to other vehicle concepts, such as electric and fuel cell-powered cars.

Current hybrid vehicles use nickel-metal hydride batteries, but the lithium-ion alternatives are known to offer greater efficiency, as well as a better overall weight-to-power ratio. The problem with integrating the Li-ion technology was in securing their stability—they became far too hot to be a viable option in a hybrid vehicle. Fortunately, Mercedes-Benz has 25 patents it is confident solves the dilemma of battery overheating, whether they stay on target for 2009 is another matter, but we certainly wouldn’t doubt them.

The assist from the electric motor gives the S400 an agile feel and more immediate throttle response, although it doesn’t feel as strong as our V-8-powered base S-class, the 382-hp S550. The kick from the electric motor is limited to only about 15 seconds because of the relatively small lithium-ion battery pack, and the electric motor only works up to 4000 rpm. But the boost is useful for low-speed acceleration and even in passing maneuvers. In all other driving situations, the S400 feels pretty much like a conventional S350.

Although the electric motor cannot power the S400 by itself, it does allow the gasoline engine to shut off when slowing to speeds below 9 mph, when coming to a stop, and when idling. When stopped, and with the gasoline engine asleep, the lithium-ion battery powers the accessories such as air conditioning as well as the electro-hydraulic steering. When the driver lifts his foot off the brake pedal, the gasoline engine whirs quickly to life without any hesitation or odd vibrations.

Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler AG Board of Management and responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development says: “What we have here is a groundbreaking key technology that is going to be a decisive factor for the future success of the automotive industry. That is a tribute to our intensive research efforts, which we have been conducting in this area since 1992.”

With the new S-Class, Daimler has become the first European automobile manufacturer to launch a vehicle with a hybrid engine and the innovative lithium-ion battery. The S 400 Blue HYBRID consumes only 7.9 liters of gasoline per 100 km in the NEDC. This results in very low CO2 emissions of only 190 grams per kilometer, a very low value for this vehicle class and power class, making the S 400 Blue HYBRID the world’s most economical luxury sedan

What’s more important to consumers is that the battery pack is installed in the engine compartment, where it replaces the conventional starter battery. This means that the interior space and boot capacity of the S400 remain unchanged. Additionally, thanks to its compact dimensions and modular design, the additional weight of the overall hybrid system including the comprehensive safety systems is only 75 kg or 165 lbs.

As the implications for 3D solid modeling and rapid prototyping continue to grow the impact for consumers and small businesses to manufacture products continues to grow as well. If a new product is needed by a business of customer a CAD file can be purchased, uploaded and the 3D solid modeling can reproduce it. Maybe a plastic ABS buckle needs replacing or a new product appeals to the consumer, 3D solid modeling has the capability to produce replicas, models or prototypes quickly and easily. Advancements in fabrication materials allow an almost unlimited potential for products with 3D solid modeling technology.

3D Solid Modeling Applications

3D solid modeling technology is on the brink of enhancing product availability for everyone. The technology once used only by manufacturing industries is becoming available for general use and not just for large manufacturers. 3D solid modeling will provide enhanced capabilities for production techniques to be used by the average person. Just imagine that you have a broken fan in your computer and you have no time to purchase another. What to do? With 3D solid modeling technology you can produce an exact replica of the part needed. Once produced you replace the old one with the new and your back in operation. 3D solid modeling can apply prototyping technology in a variety of applications. The technology for 3D solid modeling is computer assisted design software instructing a 3D printer to build models layer by layer on a platform until an exact reproduction according to specifications is produced.

Everyone with kids has games and toys needing repair or replacement parts. These parts could be replaced as 3D solid modeling technology would manufacture a brand new toy or just the piece that needs repairing. 3D solid modeling along with 3D printers has opened up a whole new set of options by allowing consumers to play a role in the design and manufacture of products they wish to purchase. Because of 3D solid modeling consumers will not have to purchase products in colors and designs they don’t want or need. 3D solid modeling will eventually allow the customizing, designing and manufacturing of many products by the same individual who will be purchasing them.

3D Solid Modeling Advantages

The use of 3D solid modeling for businesses is also one of many applications of 3D solid modeling technology. In this application the small business would produce a custom product for the consumer by purchasing or downloading a (CAD) software package for the item they wanted and produce it exactly to the specifications of the customer, many times while they waited. One of many 3D solid modeling printers would then begin to manufacture the customized item for the purchaser.

3D solid modeling offers options such as customizing colors and product materials would be available to the consumer with a 3D solid modeling program. In a short period of time a customized product would be ready for the consumer to take home and use. Think about purchasing a gift and having it made in the store while you wait. Maybe that special train or model car for a grandchild as a gift could be produced by 3D solid modeling technology.

Plastic mold has been developing about 40 years. It occupies a very important position in the plastic molding process. Plastic mold plays a very important part in the mold industry. Mold production technology is also a one of the important symbols of a country’s level in manufacturing process. In the international community, in order to make industrial molds for better development, some countries have propped up the relevant policies. Such as Japan developed a mechanical production of revitalization and make mold as a specific product to be developed in the 80-90 age. The United States has more than 10,000 mould of professional manufacturers the late 1990s. The total output value was more than 100 billion dollars.

In China, the design and yield of mold has been done from 100 years. The proportion of plastic mold in the import and export is as high as 50% to 60% these years.It becomes a comprehensive science and technology. At the same time, people has more and more understanding of polymers and the manufacturing process of the various parameters and change more and more in-depth understanding. The design of mold comes to a new stage as a means of quantify and simulation computer-based. Compared with plastic mold CAD/CAM and the traditional design methods, not only quality, speed and precision but also the mold manufacturing methods and productivity has a significant leap forward. China can supply plastic mould for kinds of pipe fittings, such as PPR PVC PE PB ABS…to the world.The features of molds: high precision, extended service life, short lead time, competitive price, prompt delivery and excellent after-sale service. Since china entered to WTO, it has brought great challenges and brought more opportunities for the plastic mold industry. There is a great advantage on the price because the plastic mold is Zhong Didang products mostly in china. Some products even sell 1/5 to 1/3 on the price of foreign products.

Foreign products impact domestic products weakly, while domestic products are increased in export volume. The High-precision molds were relied on imports mainly before our country entering WTO. At now days, not only highly sophisticated product imports have more convenience, and also encouraging more foreign investment to build factories in China, bringing advanced foreign technology and management experience in mold. The mold of professional training in China has played a role in promoting talent. China’s government has worked out relevant policies to promote industrial development rapid prototype. On China’s actual situation, we should reduce custom about the product that we couldn’t plastic mould independently and perform related preferential policies well. We can accelerate the development of the industry and progress by police guidance.

With the development of the market, the diversification of molding methods and new plastic materials would be developed in the future. In order to meet the needs of the market, whether plastic mould species, structure, performance or processing are bound to faster development. What’s more such a rapid prototype development must keep pace with the times.

We suggest some basic designing steps to increase speed and facilitate the creation of your wireframe:

1 – Use some sort of grid. For example, 960 framework. This is very commonly used by developers, and give some sense of proportion to your project. It may also help the coders further on. There’s a template of 960 framework on Justinmind’s blog.

Most designers have their own rule of thumb to dispose objects on a blank page. You can also create your templates and import guidelines from your company, client, etc.

2 – Create containers for your objects: headers, navbars, buttons, etc. Just drag them and drop them where they’ll stay. It’s going to help you further on.

Containers can be invisible, too. They help, for example, to hide everything at a click, or to replace content for other content.

3 – When you have everything on its right place, create a template and move your objects there. Then, you can start creating your pages and adding content.

Templates can be very useful when you need to create several similar pages. You put the structure there and it’ll be repeated in every screen you want. You can define which template to use in a determined screen by right-click and defining Properties.

4 – The objects that appear very frequently can be masters or be created directly on the template if they appear on all pages. For example, if you’re creating a website that has the navbar and header on all pages, you can create it on the template and only insert the links once.

Masters can appear anywhere on your screen and change position, while templates are fixed. Another advantage of Masters is that they can be broken in objects, and edited (for example, if you want this specific object to be green, but equal to others in every other aspect).

5 – Create your links by dragging the objects to the pages, or vice-versa.

Bidirectional linking can really help your project. Drop your screens over the links, or the links on the screens in your Screen Panel.

6 – Optional, just for the designer: Change objects properties to match your layout. We recommend inserting the images at the end, to reduce memory usage while working. This will transform your low-fi wireframe: in an interactive mockup.

It’s better to first put the content inside the project, define what goes where, and then create the look. You can also replace containers for images, logos, pictures or special visual effects. It is also possible to embed HTML snippets and code.

With the advent of 3D printing technology the perimeters of design and engineering protocols have changed. Traditional protocols for engineering and design work required long periods of time between stages of development. 3D printer technology has dramatically shortened the time necessary between stages. Before the development of 3D printing technology prototyping required many man hours to produce a working prototype and the time necessary was multiplied each time a design change to the prototype had to be made. This added to the cost of product design and delayed products from moving to the next stage of development. 3D printing technology saves design teams a considerable amount to time and energy to produce prototypes and the application of design changes.

3D Printer Prototypes

3D Printer Prototype Testing

3D Printer Prototypes

With 3D printing technology come many advantages for the production of prototypes. From the conceptual to testing stage the technology has improve production speed, cost, and simplicity. A 3D printing system using rapid prototype technology enhances the design process by producing a 3 dimensional model. The 3D printing system produces an actual model that can be seen and manipulated by designers during various stages of the development process which helps engineers to facilitate prototype corrections and enhancements. Compared to a 3D printer, usual methods of producing prototypes is time consuming, costly and has to be repeated even if the smallest change is made to the design. Using a 3D printing system to enhance product designs is more efficient and cuts a great deal of time off the various stages of product development.

A 3D printer helps to reduce the bottom line cost of research and development by facilitating the prototyping process. Product development is a costly and prototype design and production can add considerable expense to a project. Multiple design changes, failure to meet deadlines and retooling only add to the bottom line expense of the production process. Utilizing a 3D printer will enhance the design process and cut costs where design changes have to be made by eliminating many of the costs associated with prototype production. With a 3D printing system no additional retooling or reengineering is necessary, because changes only have to be made in the computer assisted design software program. The whole process of creating, changing and constructing prototypes is enhanced through the use of 3D printing technology.

3D Printer Prototype Testing

3D printing technology assists in the prototype testing phase by producing prototypes in a more efficient and time sensitive manner. Where redesigning, retooling and recreating prototypes took a considerable amount of time, the 3D printing system can have a redesigned prototype ready for the next phase of testing in a much shorter period of time then conventional methods. Testing often requires product redesign and retesting, by having a swift technology like a 3D printer, testing can continue according to schedule without any undue delays and expense. It is not very often that a product is able to survive the testing phase of product development without some kind of design change. The 3D printer allows designers and engineers to utilize the advanced technology to their advantage and create better products.

Product testing is an important stage of new product development and a 3D printing system can enhance the testing phase and make the results more effective. Because a 3D printer reduces testing costs the process can be that much more effective. No one wants to be the one who tests a product after they have spent a substantial amount of money on it. As 3D printing technology continues to advance the product testing and development phase everyone will benefit from the technology. When a company can reduce research and development costs by using 3D printing technology, every one will benefit from the savings. The costs or savings for the testing, designing and producing of new products is always passed on to the purchaser of those products.

The revolution in industrial design came with the introduction of 3D print technology. All things from a joystick to a cycle which we make use of are designed using 3D print technology.

This is the reason behind the advanced contours, shapes, lines and dynamics of all the new productions. Before the introduction of 3D printing technology the prototypes had to be designed and made by very skilled craftsmen in a pretty sophisticated workshop with a whole lot of tools which were used specially for this purpose.

A perfect wooden 3D modeling required a large number of days even if the job was assigned to a very skilled person relating to this field. There were a lot of delays between the design stages of the project to the prototype stage. The drawings which were finally chosen took a long time to craft into a workable model as the specifications had to be met with in order to avoid any mistakes.

Rapid prototyping solved the problem of too much time consumption in the manufacture of the print 3D model. It developed the prototypes in much lesser time and at a surprisingly low cost. The technology can now be used to print 3D models using your printer with a lot of attention to accuracy and detail.

The consecutive layers are printed to the previous layers to construct an image that can be used for traditional method of wax or with high tech epoxy molding. The reprap or the self replicating rapid prototype that is presently being used will allow the creation of brilliant and unique ideas which are very useful and functional in a short interval of time. The three dimensional models can be constructed in the comforts of your home with the much reduced price of RepRap in comparison to the conventional 3D printers.

Rapid prototyping will soon be reaching a new level as manufacturers of medical equipment, jewelry or industrial designers and automotive engineers will create complex products and other stuff without having the need to have sophisticated infrastructure and equipment. The most well known speculation is that, with the science in hand which can make another version of the original product, the time required for the construction of spare parts will be very less and defective components with a low level of resources. The forecasted future will enable us to make designs and manufacture the same while sitting in our homes.

If you are running a small or a medium scale company you can easily design and construct a prototype almost similar to the actual prototype. The 3D printers have become a lot more affordable nowadays. Instead of approaching the large industrial firms for your requirements you can now reduce the extra expenditure by doing it at the place where you desire all due to this technology.

The 3D print models made by you can have many different physical properties. They can have a wide variety of mechanical components you may not have the need to assemble several different parts separately and then bring them together to get the final product.

Think of your project as a unity. That is why big projects need to use the same font, sizes, colours, styles, etc. Hi-fi wireframes can use widgets and templates to maintain consistency. There are several advantages for projects:

1. The users will know they didn’t leave the site/program. The appearance guarantees that.

Remember your favourite website? You know you’re using it even though you don’t read the content. Why? Because it looks like the other pages you’ve seen. That’s design consistency.

2. Smaller learning curve for final users.

When users learn what your sidebar is for, they expect it always to be there, and its functionality not to change. They learn how to use a website. So, having all the features in the same place and with the same consistency is important.

3. Less work for collaborators, who don’t have to think about design issues.

We all know someone who cannot decide which typography to use, colours, sizes, etc. They can be great coding, or writing, or even correcting things, but don’t necessarily like or are very capable doing design thinking. So, why not let them just do their job, without the pressure to create something beautiful? If they have the templates and the design done, their work will simply be better.

4. Time saver

If you can avoid re-creating repetitive tasks, you’ll finish your project beforehand. So, try to plan ahead the objects, details and features that can be re-used and re-inserted in a sort of framework.

What to do to maintain consistency in a wireframe project?

1 – Create the templates first.

The backgrounds must be done, and everyone involved should know how to use them. That way, nobody will insert a huge image where it won’t fit.

2 – Define design properties like fonts, colour palettes and sizes throughout the document, and pass the instructions to everyone.

Visual guidelines are preferred, with examples.

3 – Create masters and widgets for users, with constant objects.

Logos, buttons, icons, all things that will be used on your project can be inserted into a Widget Library, and you can share them with all your users. Explain them where to find it.

What to avoid when creating consistency?

1 – Don’t create strict rules that destroy creativity.

Even though rules exist, sometimes they can be broken. Even design ones. Don’t break rules every time, but, sometimes it will be the touch of a genius to break them. That’s innovation. If one of your co-workers or even yourself come through a situation where a pre-defined rule is going to be broken, but the project depends on it, break it. So, don’t be the “this-is-not-as-the-manual-says” guy, because everybody will hate you.

2 – Don’t try to invent new rules for the obvious

Internet users are used to links in blue. If you put links the same colour of your normal text, it’s very probable users won’t like or will ignore some links.

3 – Create widgets and templates that will be used only once.

The main reason why we re-use repetitive code and tasks is because they’re repetitive. If you have an innovative use for a wireframe, but won’t never, ever use it again, you don’t need to waste time creating models.