Rapid Prototype Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Technology’

How has technology influenced anything in 3D design crafts?

I have an interest in the relationship between art and technology, especially within the “craft” mediums. Although there has been much debate over the questions of tradition vs innovation, mostly in terms of material and process, what I don’t see being pinned-down is the conceptual implications of technology really being considered in a comparable light to the traditional relationships concept and art-craft have explored. It seams that technologies such as CAD, rapid prototyping, and alt materials have become all the rage, but why? What beyond the superior production capabilities, wonderment, and ease is the reason tech is being so embraced? Believe me, I am not an ardent traditionalist, I want to believe in the power of technology to be a significant consideration in placing art in context with contemporary society, but I just can’t quite put my finger on the reason behind the reasons we are embracing it so extensively. There has to be sophisticated implication, what are yur thoughts?

New from alienscientist: The REAL X-Files Part 2… Reverse Engineer an Alien Spacecraft discovering the amazing science behind Invisibility (Metamaterials), Anti-Gravity (Torsion Field Physics), Nano-photo-optical quantum computers(Quasicrystals), and MORE! Notes: By aligning the photonic band gaps for all visible frequencies it renders the ship invisible to those frequenceis. The ship can also do this for a wide range of selective frequencies… such as radar. Anti-Gravity: This craft uses Superfluid Helium 3 as opposed to the TR-3B and the Nazi Bell craft which use Mercury Plasma centrifuges. Both systems work to produce the same effect. A warped gravitational field around the ship and the creation of an isolated inertial reference frame. Disclaimer: All of the information in this video is the result of over 3 years of my research into witness reports of UFO crash sites, and my attempts as a scientist to reverse engineer the technology based upon them. None of the pictures used in this video depict actual Roswell debris, nor any other debris of proven non-terrestrial origin and intelligent design. The photos are from various websites and college textbooks. Sources Include but not limited to: “Behold a Pale Horse” – William Cooper “Secrets of Antigravity Propulsion” – Dr. Paul laviolette Disclosure Project Eye Witness Reports Bibliography: 50 Years Progress in Crystal Growth – R. Feigelson (Elsevier, 2004) Useful Quasicrystals – J. Dubois (World, 2005) Photonic …

The REAL X-Files Part 2… Reverse Engineer an Alien Spacecraft discovering the amazing science behind Invisibility (Metamaterials), Anti-Gravity (Torsion Field Physics), Nano-photo-optical quantum computers(Quasicrystals), and MORE! Scientists Bend Light Backwards: www.nytimes.com Speed of light in a Metamaterial experimentally proven to exceed “c” in a vacuum: www.physorg.com www.scienceagogo.com Notes: By aligning the photonic band gaps for all visible frequencies it renders the ship invisible to those frequenceis. The ship can also do this for a wide range of selective frequencies… such as radar. Anti-Gravity: This craft uses Superfluid Helium 3 as opposed to the TR-3B and the Nazi Bell craft which use Mercury Plasma centrifuges. Both systems work to produce the same effect. A warped gravitational field around the ship and the creation of an isolated inertial reference frame. Disclaimer: All of the information in this video is the result of over 3 years of my research into witness reports of UFO crash sites, and my attempts as a scientist to reverse engineer the technology based upon them. None of the pictures used in this video depict actual Roswell debris, nor any other debris of proven non-terrestrial origin and intelligent design. The photos are from various websites and college textbooks. Sources Include but not limited to: “Behold a Pale Horse” – William Cooper “Secrets of Antigravity Propulsion” – Dr. Paul laviolette Disclosure Project Eye Witness Reports …

and build their own?

Developments in Formula One but also in normal Cars move almost as fast as the cars themselves. Rapid prototyping is a method which allows new components to be built and tested within a day.

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 3D Printer or rapid prototyping system is a computer assisted manufacturing process where software guides the creation of three dimensional models. In the past model makers had to rely on plastic formers or metal modeling techniques to create replicas, reproductions and prototypes. But now because of the more advanced technologies that have been developed in the area of prototyping a new process known as rapid prototyping manufacturing is available. The 3D printer technology available today allows the hobbyist to create custom designed 3 dimension models simply and easily in the comfort of their own workshop. Long and timely manufacturing processes have been eliminated by the 3D printer and at a reasonable price for the hobbyist.

3D Printer Technology and Model Creation

Traditional modeling techniques available to the hobbyist involved a long list of design steps and an even longer list of manufacturing steps. Imagine having a 3D printer that could reproduce from a computer assisted design (CAD) file a rare model train to add to your collection. The 3D printer would build the model train from the ground up with all the features of the original including the lettering and the correct color of paint. Using liquid polymers extruded from injectors the 3D printer would craft a replica of the train that would be indistinguishable from the original design. By building the train layer upon layer the 3D printer software would calculate the proper length, width and height requirements from the specifications and the rapid prototyping process would produce a completed 3 dimensional model of the train. The 3D printer technology would enhance any hobbyist’s abilities and creativity.

3D Printer Advantages for Model Reproduction

The computer assisted design advantages of the 3D printer are numerous compared to traditional prototyping techniques. Traditional techniques that employed plastic formers to create models required large, bulky and sophisticated equipment which also required a major investment to own and operate. 3D printers however are reasonably sized, compact and much less expensive to own and operate. The set up time and ease of operation has made the 3D printer a popular choice for creating models and replicas. The almost unlimited flexibility and potential applications for the hobbyist to create models with the 3D printer is a distinct advantage of this technology.

Traditional modeling techniques carried some dangers inherent in the process. Some techniques involved hot metals being poured into molds while others heated toxic chemicals which were pressurized and cooled. The technology used in the 3D printer produces no toxic chemicals to harm the hobbyist nor uses any toxins during the prototyping process.

With metal modeling techniques a substantial amount of post production cleanup of the models and work area was needed. With the 3D printer an additional advantage is gained from using the rapid prototyping technology as post production work is drastically reduced. The advantages of the 3D printer for the hobbyist are many including creative flexibility, safety and ease of operation. The innovative designs that the hobbyist will be able to utilize with the 3D printer present a distinct advantage over traditional model and replica processing methods.

3D printing also known as rapid prototyping technology is the design process where computer programming guides the creation of a three dimensional model through the layering of fabrication material. Engineers, designers and technicians would benefit from advanced prototype production. Recently new technologies have been developed producing many advantages for those needing rapid prototype technology. The 3D printers available today are faster, easier and more affordable than previous fabrication technologies. 3D printing has also eliminated the need for expensive tools and skilled craftsmen to produce design prototypes, making the process more affordable, cost efficient and desirable.

3D Printer Technology

The 3D printers technology is quite simple to understand really; computer assisted design software (CAD) directs an inkjet nozzle to extrude small amounts of material in layers to form a three dimensional model. Almost like building a sand castle at the beach. By adding layer upon layer the CAD software is able to calculate length, width and height requirements from design specifications and guide the process toward completion of a 3 dimensional model. Traditional prototypes were built from solid blocks of material and the excess was cut away until the model was produced but with today’s technology the models are built from the ground up with no excess. Of course the sophistication of designs and materials used will impact the time required to produce individual 3D prototypes.

Individual 3D printing needs will differ and so the materials used in prototyping will differ also. In rapid prototyping the materials used can range from plasters, resins and advanced polymers. The choice of design material depends on the required durability, lifespan or sophistication level of the model to be fabricated. Fused deposition modeling techniques use liquid polymers from injectors to create models. In this process the 3D Printer injects photopolymers layer by layer on to a base platform and then the materials are cured with ultraviolet light. Inkjet printing techniques differ as they use granular substances such as plaster, powder or corn starch and combine the materials with an adhesive which bonds the model together to produce a 3D prototype.

3D Printer Advantages

The new technology of 3D printing produces advantages in the areas of speed, cost, and simplicity. Engineers and design technicians can use 3D printing during the conceptual stages of design. A rapid prototype enhances the design process by providing a 3 dimensional model of the design. Having an actual model to see and manipulate during various stages of the design process can help designers and engineers to facilitate prototype corrections, enhancements and project completion.

Also, unlike some prototyping techniques the 3D printing advantage produces no toxic chemicals from the process nor uses any toxins during the process. An additional advantage gained from using rapid prototyping technology is post production work is minimal, only the removal of excess materials produced during the printing process is necessary. The advantages of 3D printing are many including reduced costs, efficiency and safety. As new innovations in 3D printing technology become available so will additional advantages.