Abstract

Sandeep Bhattacharjee

ABSTRACT

The research objective is to discuss the development of innovative product development production phase, resulting in a functional prototype with a rapid prototyping method. This project analyzes the advantages of using rapid prototyping technologies for product development process. It compares various fast rapid prototyping systems that are being used, categorizing them by the type of raw material used. It consists of both the theoretical and experimental part. This project goes through a development of the product from idea to functional prototype, making a 3D model, analysis of the components the model contains, prototyping, and post-treatment.This research also deals with the application of rapid manufacturing techniques to save the time as well as the cost of manufacturing of few critical components of automobiles. A case study of Inlet manifold of the engine is taken here to demonstrate the method. While working on this objective the aim will be to reduce the lead time required for tooling required for the conventional block-type investment casting process. There are strong incentives to reduce costs while increasing speed and accuracy in the current market. RP is an ideal method when the components are complex in shape because it substantially compresses the time for developing prototypes, patterns, and tooling. This method is, even more, promising on cost and time front. The capabilities to fabricate freeform surfaces, inbuilt cores, projections and supports are the unbeatable strengths of RP processes. The use of benefits in terms costs have proved that the adoption of RP technology is techno-economically justifiable for the Indian manufacturing industries. Rapid Prototyping has proved to be a cost-effective and time-efficient approach to the development of pattern making, thereby ensuring the possibility for technology transfer in Indian manufacturing industries. In this research, a problem of manufacturing of new products is described. It requires making a prototype with conventional or advanced technologies. The prototype can be fabricated with use of rapid prototyping techniques. This technique can have a great impact on the preparation of manufacturing process. An example of design and fabrication of a prototype with FDM techniques is presented.