Integrated Decision Support System for Selection of RP Processes

This paper describes an ‘Integrated Decision Support System for the Selection of RP Processes (IDSSSRP)’. The basic methodology proposed in the IDSSSRP is a Sigma approach towards benchmarking of the Rapid Prototyping (RP) processes. It characterizes a RP process by using benchmarking and the sigma approach to assess its capability compared to its potential. Although the six-sigma approach has basically been a management concept and the success of its implementation has been on process time reduction and quality improvement, this paper adopts the use of six-sigma tools and benchmarking in the characterization of RP processes. Apart from geometrical benchmarks, other benchmarks include mechanical benchmarks and process benchmarks. Benchmarking individual RP processes facilitates standardization and reduces variability in the prototypes produced by the processes. Following standardizations of geometrical, mechanical and process benchmarks, a saturated database can then become very useful in providing decision support to the end user on a particular process as well as a source of information for benchmarking new RP machines. A case study of the benchmarking process developed on the Direct Metal Laser Sintering-Selective Laser Sintering (DMLS-SLS) RP process is presented using the proposed approach. This paper also outlines the working and implementation of a web-based decision support system based on the IDSSSRP.Mechanical Engineerin

Rapid Prototyping of 3D Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Using a Four-Axis Multiple-Dispenser Robotic System

A desktop rapid prototyping (RP) system has been developed to fabricate scaffolds for tissue engineering (TE) applications. The system is a computer-controlled four-axis machine with a multiple-dispenser head. This paper presents the scaffold fabrication process to build free-form scaffolds from relevant features extracted from given CT-scan images for TE applications. This involves obtaining the required geometric data for the scaffold in the form of a solid model from CT-scan images. The extracted scaffold model is then sliced into consecutive two-dimensional (2D) layers to generate appropriately formatted data for the desktop RP system to fabricate the scaffolds. The basic material processing involves the sequential dispensing of two or more materials to form a strand. The four-axis system enables strands to be laid in a different direction at each layer to form suitable interlacing 3D free-form scaffold structures. The multipledispenser head also allows the introduction of living cells and additional materials during the scaffold building. The building of the scaffolds with the desktop RP system is described based on the sequential dispensing of chitosan dissolved in acetic acid and sodium hydroxide solution. Neutralization of the acetic acid by the sodium hydroxide results in a precipitate to form a gellike chitosan strand.Mechanical Engineerin

Secure CAD model retrieval and data consistency: Issues in role-based visualization

Computer-Aided Design and Applications31-4139-14

Modelling, Analysis and Fabrication of Below-knee Prosthetic Sockets Using Rapid Prototyping

10.1002/0470033983.ch10Advanced Manufacturing Technology for Medical Applications: Reverse Engineering, Software Conversion and Rapid Prototyping207-22

Effect and control of hatch length on material properties in the direct metal laser sintering process

10.1243/095440505X7957Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture219115-25PIBM

Adaptive vertex quantization for mesh compression

Computer-Aided Design and Applications41-6219-22

Collaborative product assembly design and assembly planning: Methodologies and applications

10.1533/9780857093882Collaborative Product Assembly Design and Assembly Planning: Methodologies and Applications

Evaluation of product assemblability in different assembly sequences using the tolerancing approach

10.1080/00207540600579656International Journal of Production Research44235037-5063IJPR

Evaluation of product assemblability in different assembly sequences

Proceedings of the IEEE International Symposium on Assembly and Task Planning2005168-17