Syllabus

Overview of Rapid Product Development: Product Developing Cycle, Components of RPD, Classification of manufacturing processes
Preprocessing: Solid Modeling, Data exchange formats, STL file format, RP Preprocessing
Rapid Prototyping (RP): Introduction to RP, Need of RP Basic Principles of RP, Steps in RP, Process chain in RP in integrated CAD-CAM environment, Advantages of RP, Classifications of different RP techniques, Selection of RP processes, Issues in RP, Emerging trends
RP Techniques: Solid RP, liquid RP techniques and Powder RP Techniques -Process Technology and Comparative study of Selective laser sintering, Selective powder binding, etc.
Rapid Tooling (RT): Introduction to RT, Indirect RT processes –silicon rubber molding, epoxy tooling, spray metal tooling and investment casting. Direct RT processes –laminated tooling, powder metallurgy based technologies, welding based technologies, direct pattern making, emerging trends in RT
Reverse Engineering: Geometric data acquisition, 3D reconstruction
Applications and case studies: Engineering applications, Medical applications

The course addresses the fundamentals of methods and techniques to support engineering design processes, by focusing on the opportunities provided by Reverse Engineering, Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Manufacturing

Knowledge and understanding
Students will
i. acquire basic knowledge about the main opportunities provided by Reverse Engineering and Rapid Prototyping tools, which represents an opportunity to learn how to conduct detailed product design by benefitting from cutting-edge technologies
ii. understand the main differences, pros and cons of the alternative technologies to carry out design tasks supported by 3D-printing devices
iii. acquire knowledge about some important Additive Manufacturing processes used for the fabrication of prototypes and components
iv. be able to identify the advantages and limitations of Reverse Engineering and Additive Manufacturing processes in the overall context of design, manufacturing and industrial design

R. Noorani, Rapid Prototyping: Principles and Applications, John Wiley & Sons, NJ

Ian Gibson, David W. Rosen, Brent Stucker, Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing, Springer Science & Business Media

Raja, Vinesh, Fernandes, Kiran J., Reverse Engineering: an Industrial Perspective, Springer

N. Hopkinson, R. Hague, P., “Rapid Manufacturing: An Industrial Revolution for the Digital Age, Wiley