Title: Conventional machining methods for rapid prototyping and direct manufacturing

Authors: Zhi Yang, Richard A. Wysk, Sanjay Joshi, Matthew C. Frank, Joseph E. Petrzelka

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ' Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ' Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ' Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA. ' Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA

Abstract: The material and product accuracy limitations of rapid prototyped products can often prevent the use of rapid prototyping (RP) processes for production of final end-use products. Conventional machining processes are well-developed technologies with the capability of employing a wide range of materials in the creation of highly accurate components. This paper presents an overview of how conventional machining processes can be used for RP and direct manufacturing processes. The methodologies of computer numerical control machining for rapid prototyping (CNC-RP) and wire electronic discharge machining for rapid prototyping (WEDM-RP) are presented in this paper. A general discussion of selection criteria and cost comparisons among both current additive RP and conventional machining approaches to rapid manufacturing are also presented.

Keywords: rapid prototyping; RP; computer numerical control; CNC machining; CNC-RP; wire EDM; electronic discharge machining; WEDM-RP; direct manufacturing; selection criteria; cost comparison; rapid manufacturing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAPIDM.2009.028931

International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing, 2009 Vol.1 No.1, pp.41 - 64

Published online: 14 Oct 2009 *

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