Rapid prototyping fabricated by UV resin spray nozzles

Abstract

Rapid prototyping (RP) processes produce parts layer by layer directly from 3D CAD models. Different kinds of rapid prototyping machine (RPM) have been developed with different mechanisms or materials. In this paper, a novel and economic way to build the RP by means of injection nozzles with ultra violet (UV) resins is proposed. The in‐house made RPM is constructed with two nozzles. The acrylic series is for body material and the PU series is for the supporting material. There are obvious boundaries since material properties are different. Therefore, supports can be easily removed from the main body after formation. The different diameter of nozzles can be chosen in the system, and the nozzles are also disposable. Besides, an interface system generating the direct slicing from 3D CAD models and nozzle paths for all layers is developed through PowerSOLUTION (Delcam International, Birmingham, UK) macro commands.

Citation

Chang, C.C. (2004), "Rapid prototyping fabricated by UV resin spray nozzles", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 136-145. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552540410527006