Rapid prototyping comes in different forms to speed up new product development

At the Festo AG & Co. KG (festo.com) headquarters in Esslingen, Germany, rapid prototyping methods of stereolithography, fused deposition modeling (FDM), laser sintering or laser melting to produce a component by means of layering are being exploited to speed products to market.

These technologies provide excellent, quick results – often within hours. Conventional prototyping by combined milling, eroding and turning, or CNC and EDM methods, are slower but nonetheless can create realistic product or tooling prototypes in a few days.

What are your needs for rapid prototyping? The Journal of Rapid Injection Molding and CNC Prototyping published by Proto Labs (protomold.com/parts) notes that the same 3D CAD solid model file can produce the "same" part on either an FDM, CNC machining or injection molding process. Respectively, the processes require hours, days or weeks, according to Proto Labs.

''Clearly, the molded and CNC machined parts have an advantage in strength and appearance. Additive processes certainly have their place in the development process..., however, may not be suitable once testing begins,'' said the Journal.

Les Payne, executive director of the Canadian Tooling and Machining Association (ctma.com), traveled to Detroit earlier this year for the Rapid 2007 Conference & Exhibition to explore Canada's role in RP.

''Boeing representatives visited the CMTA booth and expressed an interest in expanding their purchasing credits by sourcing increased amounts of work in Canada for rapid prototyping, composites and resin transfer molding,'' Payne said in CMTA View, the association newsletter.

Mike Edwards, Editor, DPN Magazine medwards@clbmedia.ca
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USEFUL SITES

CAD-neutral PLM. SpaceClaim Corp. (spaceclaim.com) is said to provide a CAD-neutral interoperability platform that improve 3D collaboration and communication between remote design teams.

Fasteners. Drawing files for PennEngineering fastener (pemnet.com) products can now be dropped into MCAD systems like AutoCAD, Inventor, SolidWorks, Pro/ENGINEER, Solid Edge and CATIA.

Video CAD news. CADCAMNETtv provides online video news covering current events in the CAD industry (cadcamnet.tv).

Bearings. Hartford Technologies, a supplier of precision ball and bearing products, has announced its website includes precision needles, rollers, pins and shafts, as well as ABEC bearings (hartfordtechnologies.com).

       
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        DPNCANADA.COM EXCLUSIVES

Inspection, error proofing sensor. Balluff has introduced what it calls a new class of sensors – an optical sensor – that fills the gap between conventional discrete sensors and vision systems. Sharpshooter is said to be a true optical sensor that combines the flexibility of a vision system and the simplicity of a photoelectric sensor.

Current sensor amplifier. Linear Technology has announced the LT6106, said to be a low cost, high side current sense amplifier that can resolve small differential signals from common mode voltages up to 36 V.

Power and signal connector consolidation. ITT Electronic Components has developed an interconnect system that eliminates up to five different proprietary power and signal cable connectors.

  

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Coming soon in the Nov/Dec
issue of DPN:

• Document
  management
• Miniaturization
  of handling
  systems
• Modular
  cabinets equate
  design flexibility
• Gasoline
  compression
  engines

Click to see video of Festo automated system for envelope production

Click to see video of Quanser haptic telematic surgery demonstration

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 20-22, 2007. Mississauga, ON. Training in Automation Didactic Course ''Introduction to Pneumatics'' presented by Festo (june.davies@ca.festo.com).

January 20-23, 2008. San Diego, CA. SolidWorks World 2008 conference (solidworks.com) for users of SolidWorks mechanical CAD, analysis and document management software.

March 12-14, 2008. Las Vegas. IFPE 2000 Technical Conference (ifpe.com) covering fluid power, automation and mobile hydraulics.

March 26-27, 2008. Toronto. Advanced Manufacturing Expo, including the Assembly Canada and Canadian High Technology Shows (smecanada.ca/assembly).

May 12-14, 2008. Montreal. Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show, including the National Factory Automation Show (smecanada.ca/montreal).
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