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All 4 Flashcards — Rapid prototyping
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Question
What is rapid prototyping for?
Answer
Creating physical prototypes quickly, straight from a CAD model, so potential users and design teams can interact with them and give feedback that drives development forward.
Question
SLA — how does it work, and what is it best for?
Answer
A laser cures liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer. It gives the finest detail and smoothest surface of the three, so it suits appearance models. Parts are brittle and need supports.
Question
FDM — how does it work, and what is its main weakness?
Answer
A heated nozzle melts thermoplastic filament and draws each layer. It is by far the cheapest and most available, but has visible layer lines and is weaker across the layers than along them.
Question
SLS — why does it need no support structures?
Answer
The part is built inside a bed of loose polymer powder that the laser fuses selectively. Overhangs rest on powder already present, so nothing has to be printed to support them.
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Full study notes for Rapid prototyping
Topic 2.2 hub
Prototyping techniques
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Design Technology exam skills
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