Title :
Rapid prototyping of large scale aerospace structures
Author :
Thomas, Charles L. ; Gaffney, Thomas M. ; Kaza, Srinivas ; Lee, Cheol H.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Mech. Eng., Utah Univ., Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Abstract :
A new Rapid Prototyping (RP) technique is being developed at the Manufacturing Processes Laboratory at the University of Utah. This alternative RP technique allows engineers to create full scale physical prototypes of their large designs literally overnight. Where existing RP machines are limited to models that fit within a 30"×30"×20" volume, Shape Maker II is capable of producing models with cross sections up to 4\´×8\´ and with relatively unlimited length. A fundamental description of Shape Maker II is given. Results from testing indicate that this machine has utility with fabricating patterns and molds for large scale composite laminates
Keywords :
aerodynamics; aerospace industry; aerospace simulation; finite element analysis; large-scale systems; software prototyping; wind turbines; Shape Maker II; fabricating patterns; full scale physical prototypes; large scale aerospace structures; large scale composite laminates; rapid prototyping; Aerospace engineering; Aerospace materials; Design automation; Design engineering; Fabrication; Large-scale systems; Manufacturing processes; Prototypes; Shape; Solids;
Conference_Titel :
Aerospace Applications Conference, 1996. Proceedings., 1996 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Aspen, CO
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3196-6
DOI :
10.1109/AERO.1996.499663
