This paper introduces a prototype system, SketchingMetal, that enables individuals with no manufacturing expertise to quickly design a restricted domain of precise, manufacturable, three-dimensional geometric models. Unlike previous systems that generate plastic prototypes from more general geometric models, models created with SketchingMetal can be manufactured automatically as functional mach...

This paper presents the idea of creating cells while reducing part-level sequence-dependent setup time in general cellular manufacturing systems (CMS). Setup time reduction in CMS has gained modest attention in the literature. This could be attributed to the fact that the fundamental problem in cell formation in CMS has been mainly related to material handling and machine utilization while setu...

Plastic parts are often coated to fulfill the desired functional requirements during product life. This may be for decorative purposes only, but also for functions such as improved tribology, wear and humidity resistance, UVand light stability, hygienic and biofilm resistance. Moving SLS towards Rapid Manufacturing (RM) and making those parts competitive with parts produced by other techniques ...

Mechanical design of viscoelastic parts fabricated using additive manufacturing technologies are under consideration. Such a design is of great importance for obtaining final products with desired shape and strength which are determined by their stress-strain state. Mathematical model of model of viscoelastic solid which grows due to the process of additive manufacturing is proposed. Complete s...

Industrial and consumer applications of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) are explored. The state-of-the-art and development in RFID technology is reviewed. A currently operative smart parts based manufacturing system is described which uses RFID as the key technology. The role of RFID in the emerging Wireless Internet Manufacturing field is highlighted.

Purpose: This paper explores the capabilities of genetic algorithms in handling optimization of the critical issues mentioned above for the purpose of manufacturing process planning in reconfigurable manufacturing activities. Two modified genetic algorithms are devised and employed to provide the best approximate process planning solution. Modifications included adapting genetic operators to th...

Technologies of Rapid Prototyping (RP) represents the rapid production of 3D physical parts using by additive manufacturing technology. The start these techniques became available in the late 1980s and were used to produce 3D models and prototype parts. Today they are used for a much wider range of applications and are even used to manufacture production-quality parts in relatively small number...

Mesoscopic additive/subtractive material processing (Meso A/SMP) is a solid freeform fabrication technique capable of producing engineering parts in mesoscopic (100 micron to several millimeters) scales. This process integrates silicon processing, electroplating, hot pressing, casting, and traditional machining methods to provide opportunities for 3D layer fabrication and parallel production, a...

Rapid Prototyping (RP) presents the automatic production of physical parts using by additive manufacturing technology. The start techniques for Rapid Prototyping became available in the late 1980s and were used to produce models and prototype parts. Today they are used for a much wider range of applications and are even used to manufacture productionquality parts in relatively small numbers. Ra...

The Ceramic On-Demand Extrusion (CODE) process is a novel additive manufacturing process for fabricating dense ceramic components from aqueous pastes of high solids loading. In this study, 3 mol% Y2O3 stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) parts were fabricated using the CODE process. The parts were then dried in a humidity controlled environmental chamber and sintered under atmosp...