Abstract

 Rapid Prototyping(RP) Technology or layer additive manufacturing is a different kind of manufacturing/fabrication process that enables the direct physical realisation of any three dimensional computer model. RP technology converts the 3D computer data which can be obtained from some dedicated file format directly to a physical model, layer by layer with a very high degree of accuracy. It is fast developing and competitive to traditional model building techniques considering time and degree of detail. The paper deals with the study of emerging and advance RP techniques and their applications. A very brief description of the older techniques like Stereo-lithography, SLS, FDM, SGC, LOM, 3D Printing is given. Largely the paper deals with new techniques viz Rapid Freeze Prototyping, Laser Engineered Net Shaping, Contour Crafting, Selective Inhibition of Sintering, Direct Photo Shaping, Electroplating Fabrication.

Authors and Affiliations