Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing: Fundamentals of Stereolithography

This reference provides complete coverage of a major new technology that generates physical objects directly from a graphical computer database. Known as "Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing" (RP&M), it enables diverse industries to improve product design and part quality, bring products to market faster and reduce product development costs while boosting productivity. Focusing on StereoLithography-based RP&M developed by "3D Systems", which pioneered RP&M, this practical book introduces design and manufacturing engineers to basic RP&M principles, shows step by step how to create a StereoLithography prototype and reveals the accuracy levels that can be attained with this new technology. Case studies illustrate how leading aerospace, automotive, component and medical device manufacturers have gained a competitive edge by applying RP&M. This book also describes various alternate approaches to RP&M.