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Flip to reveal answersWhat separates rapid prototyping from additive manufacturing?
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All 4 Flashcards — Rapid prototyping
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Question
What separates rapid prototyping from additive manufacturing?
Answer
Not the machine but the specification. A base model answers one question and is thrown away; a production part must meet a specification, survive its service life and be repeatable.
Question
Why does low volume favour additive production?
Answer
There is no tooling to pay for, so the first part costs what the thousandth costs. Below a few thousand parts that beats moulding.
Question
What is mass customisation?
Answer
Making every unit different at no extra cost. A printer works from a file, so a hearing-aid shell or dental aligner matched to one person costs the same as a standard part.
Question
Where does additive manufacturing still lose?
Answer
At high volume, where moulding makes a part in seconds; on large simple shapes; and anywhere the layer-to-layer weakness or surface finish cannot be accepted.
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Full study notes for Rapid prototyping
Topic 4.1 hub
Manufacturing techniques
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Design Technology exam skills
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