Rapid prototyping applications at Sandia National Laboratories

Conference · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:10121864

Atwood, C L; McCarty, G D; Pardo, B T; Bryce, E A

In an effort to reduce the cycle time for producing prototypical mechanical and electro-mechanical components, Sandia National Laboratories has integrated rapid prototyping processes into the design and manufacturing process. The processes currently in operation within the Rapid Prototyping Laboratory are Stereolithography (SL), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), and Direct Shell Production Casting (DSPC). These emerging technologies have proven to be valuable tools for reducing lead times and fabrication costs. Sandia uses the SL and SLS processes to support internal product development efforts. Their primary use is to fabricate patterns for investment casting in support of a Sandia-managed program called FASTCAST that integrates computational technologies and experimental data into the investment casting process. These processes are also used in the design iteration process to produce proof-of-concept models, hands-on models for design reviews, fit-check models, visual aids for manufacturing, and functional parts in assemblies. The DSPC process is currently being developed as a method of fabricating ceramic investment casting molds directly from a CAD solid model. Sandia is an Alpha machine test site for this process. This presentation will provide an overview of the SL and SLS processes and an update of our experience and success in integrating these technologies into the product development cycle. It will also provide a lead-in for a tour of the Rapid Prototyping Laboratory, where these processes will be demonstrated.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 10121864
• Report Number(s): SAND--94-0179C; CONF-941055--1; ON: DE94006360; BR: GB0103012
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420200
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990100
CASTING
DESIGN
FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND TECHNIQUES
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
MANAGEMENT
MANUFACTURING
PROCESS CONTROL
SINTERING