Rapid Product Development and manufacture is a major focus for companies
wanting to compete in the more open Global Marketplace. This has created
considerable interest in techniques and technologies that help companies introduce
new products more quickly, at lower cost and with greater flexibility. Computer Aided
Design (CAD) and the introduction, in the late 1980s, of a group of technologies
known as 'Rapid Prototyping' have greatly helped this. It is now possible to design
and manufacture objects within a few hours. The next stage is to use these layermanufacturing technologies to manufacture saleable end-use items. However, few
companies have invested in the technology, but many are very interested in
investigating their use. The research portfolio of the RMRG is directed at providing
the future technologies industry will require, and, through the Consortium, is
providing a route that allows partners, and others, to gain the required knowledge
and expertise concerning the technologies and their use.Mechanical Engineerin
