【正文】
onal tooling such as patterns ,core boxes, dies, jigs etc. ,bee expensive to alter , and in many cases, may require plete remanufacture. What RPamp。M),have emerged 。the prototype part is produced by adding materials rather than removing materials. This simplifies the 3D part producing processes to 2D layer adding processes so that a part can be produced directly from its puter model. rapid prototyping differs with conventional manufacturing methods by adding material layer by layer until the desired sharp is achieved, immediately reducing or avoiding the loss of material. THE BASIC PROCESS IN RP RP machines process CAD data by slicing the puter model into layers ,each layer being typically thick the machine then uses this data to construct the model layer by layer ,each layer being bonded to the previous until a solid object is formed. Due to this laminated method of construction a stepped surface is developed on curved faces, the removal of which is essential if maximum advantage of the process is to be realized. Schematic representation of the stepped construction, which requires post processing, is on the above . DEVELOPMENT More recent developments have been prompted by problems caused by the expansion of the model where it is used as a disposable pattern (like the wax pattern in the lost wax process), Where the resin model is produced to form solid walls, expansion during the “burningout” stage weakens the ceramic shell, and can cause failure in the firing and/or casting stages. The pany, 3D System GmbH, has developed a machine and software, which together allow for the model to be constructed in the form of a honeyb. The honeyb structure collapses in on itself during “burningout” thus avoiding the problems of expansion. Each pocket of the honeyb structure is connected to its neighbor by a small hole that allows for the uncured resin to be drained prior using. Other methods of producing tooling directly from the rapid prototypesuch as metal spraying –are also being developed, and this seems to