Understanding Additive Manufacturing - Rapid Prototyping, Rapid Tooling, Rapid Manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is the worldwide used term for layer oriented or generative manufacturing which originally was introduced at the end of the 1980s as Rapid Prototyping. Within the last 20 years it has developed dramatically. Today it is not just a valuable tool for making models and prototypes, but a manufacturing method for final parts as well as for mold inserts. It spreads throughout all disciplines and branches of industry, from art to medicine and from car manufacturing to aerospace engineering. AM is about to revolutionize the manufacturing technology in general.

Price: $79.95

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Manufacturing Techniques for Product Design

There are many ways in which a product can be manufactured but most designers know only a handful of techniques. Informative and incredibly easy to use, this bestselling book discusses more than a hundred production methods in detail. Making It appeals not only to product designers but also to interior, furniture, and graphic designers who need access to a range of production methods, as well as to all students of design. This expanded edition includes nine new processes and an all-new section of over 40 finishing techniques.

Price: $35.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing deals with various aspects of joining materials to form parts. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is an automated technique for direct conversion of 3D CAD data into physical objects using a variety of approaches. Manufacturers have been using these technologies in order to reduce development cycle times and get their products to the market quicker, more cost effectively, and with added value due to the incorporation of customizable features. Realizing the potential of AM applications, a large number of processes have been developed allowing the use of various materials ranging from plastics to metals for product development. Authors Ian Gibson, David W. Rosen and Brent Stucker explain these issues, as well as:

• Providing a comprehensive overview of AM technologies plus descriptions of support technologies like software systems and post-processing approaches


• Discussing the wide variety of new and emerging applications like micro-scale AM, medical applications, direct write electronics and Direct Digital Manufacturing of end-use components


• Introducing systematic solutions for process selection and design for AM

Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing is the perfect book for researchers, students, practicing engineers, entrepreneurs, and manufacturing industry professionals interested in additive manufacturing.

Price: $199.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals

Today's product designers are presented with a myriad of choices when creating their work and preparing it for manufacture. They have to be knowledgeable about a vast repertoire of processes, ranging from what used to be known as traditional "crafts" to the latest technology, to enable their designs to be manufactured effectively and efficiently. Information on the internet about such processes is often unreliable, and search engines do not usefully organize material for designers.

This fundamental new resource explores innovative production techniques and materials that are having an impact on the design industry worldwide. Organized into four easily referenced parts—Forming, Cutting, Joining, and Finishing—over seventy manufacturing processes are explained in depth with full technical descriptions; analyses of the typical applications, design opportunities, and considerations each process offers; and information on cost, speed, and environmental impact. The accompanying step-by-step case studies look at a product or component being manufactured at a leading international supplier.

A directory of more than fifty materials includes a detailed technical profile, images of typical applications and finishes, and an overview of each material's design characteristics. With some 1,200 color photographs and technical illustrations, specially commissioned for this book, this is the definitive reference for product designers, 3D designers, engineers, and architects who need a convenient, highly accessible, and practical reference. 1,200 color photographs and illustrations

Price: $95.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Making and Prototyping Architecture

The essential reader on fabrication in architecture for practitioners and producers alike. An original and informative reader on the subject of translating architectural ideas from conceptual propositions to physical manifestations, Manufacturing the Bespoke is an essential resource for students and practitioners of architecture, as well as producers and suppliers of architectural products.

At a time where roles, methods and capabilities within the disciplines of building production are in unprecedented flux, this book:

• Provides a unique and highly current treatment on the subject of fabrication in architecture with its emphasis on contemporary technology, cultural history and theory
  
• A key source book for students and professionals engaged in manufacturing/fabrication projects
  
• Includes extended articles by internationally renowned critics, theorists, educators and designers, such as Mathias Kohler, Nevi Oxman, and Michael Stacey
  
• Articles will examine and refer to key portfolios of the 20th and 21st Century including works by Pierre Charreau, Peter Salter and Rural Studio

Featuring essays from pioneering architects, engineers, academics and designers from around the world on both existing and yet-to-be-built projects, the book covers architecture across the ages.

Price: $55.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Prototyping and Low Volume Production - The Manufacturing Guides

Designers are presented with a myriad of choices when preparing work for manufacture. Whether professionals or students, they must be thoroughly knowledgeable about how their designs can be produced efficiently and effectively.

Here is one the first books in a new series built on the authority of Rob Thompson’s highly acclaimed Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals. Clearly presented and highly detailed, each book is organized into three easily referenced parts: forming, joining, and finishing. An explanation of each manufacturing process provides a full technical description; analysis of typical applications; and information on cost, speed, and environmental impact. Step-by-step case studies show a product or component being manufactured by a leading international supplier. Photographs of geometry, detail, color, and surface finish complete the practical information. 448 color illustrations

Price: $29.95

Click here to buy from Amazon

Making and Prototyping Architecture

The essential reader on fabrication in architecture for practitioners and producers alike

An original and informative reader on the subject of translating architectural ideas from conceptual propositions to physical manifestations, Manufacturing the Bespoke is an essential resource for students and practitioners of architecture, as well as producers and suppliers of architectural products.

At a time where roles, methods and capabilities within the disciplines of building production are in unprecedented flux, this book:

• Provides a unique and highly current treatment on the subject of fabrication in architecture with its emphasis on contemporary technology, cultural history and theory
  
• A key source book for students and professionals engaged in manufacturing/fabrication projects
  
• Includes extended articles by internationally renowned critics, theorists, educators and designers, such as Mathias Kohler, Nevi Oxman, and Michael Stacey
  
• Articles will examine and refer to key portfolios of the 20th and 21st Century including works by Pierre Charreau, Peter Salter and Rural Studio

Featuring essays from pioneering architects, engineers, academics and designers from around the world on both existing and yet-to-be-built projects, the book covers architecture across the ages.

Price: $55.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Making It: Manufacturing Techniques for Product Design

There are many ways in which a product can be manufactured but most designers know only a handful of techniques. Informative and incredibly easy to use, this bestselling book discusses more than a hundred production methods in detail. Making It appeals not only to product designers but also to interior, furniture, and graphic designers who need access to a range of production methods, as well as to all students of design. This expanded edition includes nine new processes and an all-new section of over 40 finishing techniques.

Price: $35.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals

Today's product designers are presented with a myriad of choices when creating their work and preparing it for manufacture. They have to be knowledgeable about a vast repertoire of processes, ranging from what used to be known as traditional "crafts" to the latest technology, to enable their designs to be manufactured effectively and efficiently. Information on the internet about such processes is often unreliable, and search engines do not usefully organize material for designers.

This fundamental new resource explores innovative production techniques and materials that are having an impact on the design industry worldwide. Organized into four easily referenced parts—Forming, Cutting, Joining, and Finishing—over seventy manufacturing processes are explained in depth with full technical descriptions; analyses of the typical applications, design opportunities, and considerations each process offers; and information on cost, speed, and environmental impact. The accompanying step-by-step case studies look at a product or component being manufactured at a leading international supplier.

A directory of more than fifty materials includes a detailed technical profile, images of typical applications and finishes, and an overview of each material's design characteristics. With some 1,200 color photographs and technical illustrations, specially commissioned for this book, this is the definitive reference for product designers, 3D designers, engineers, and architects who need a convenient, highly accessible, and practical reference. 1,200 color photographs and illustrations

Price: $95.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Prototyping and Low-Volume Production (The Manufacturing Guides)

A new series for designers, engineers, architects, and students.

Designers are presented with a myriad of choices when preparing work for manufacture. Whether professionals or students, they must be thoroughly knowledgeable about how their designs can be produced efficiently and effectively.

Here is one the first books in a new series built on the authority of Rob Thompson’s highly acclaimed Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals. Clearly presented and highly detailed, each book is organized into three easily referenced parts: forming, joining, and finishing. An explanation of each manufacturing process provides a full technical description; analysis of typical applications; and information on cost, speed, and environmental impact. Step-by-step case studies show a product or component being manufactured by a leading international supplier. Photographs of geometry, detail, color, and surface finish complete the practical information. 448 color illustrations

Price: $29.95

Click here to buy from Amazon

Sun Manufacturing, Tulsa's Best Tool and Die, Stamping, and Prototyping Company has a New Website!

Sun Manufacturing, Inc. operates out of a 26,000 square-foot facility in Coweta, Oklahoma, just 10 minutes from Tulsa. We are a production metal stamping, precision metal forming, punch press, tool and die design, prototyping, and manufacturing shop that has been supplying quality metal stamping and other products to companies all over the world since 1984. We make a wide range of products and can handle most of your metal stamping needs.

We are dedicated to supplying our customers with parts of the highest quality. At Sun Manufacturing, we maintain a documented quality system that provides traceability to raw material, production, and outside process records.

Our punch press capabilities consist of over 26 punch presses ranging from 22 tons to 275 tons. Our clean pressroom produces over 175 million parts a year. We incorporate Rapid-Air and Servo roll feeds to insure highly accurate and consistent feeds for our progressive tools and progressive die.

We do stainless stamping on material ranging from aluminum to stainless steel, including spring steel, brass, copper, tinplate, and more. We can even work with materials that are galvanized, painted, rubber coated anodized, or even laminated. We are capable of handling most of your exotic metal needs when it comes to our quality metal stamping. Our staff takes pride in keeping a clean, safe working environment.

Our precision tooling department is state of the art. We have an experienced staff of tool and die design experts. We currently have 6 Bridgeport mills, 4 lathes, and a high-tech wire EDM in operation. With the help of our expert staff, we handle all of our precision tooling needs in-house. We also maintain extensive service records on all of our precision tooling. With the use of our wire EDM we have the ability to produce all of our tooling components in-house. This gives us a cost-efficient and timely turn around on tooling service and repair as with new tool production.

We currently have 13 resistance welders ranging from 35 - 50 kVA in operation. We also use plasma seam welding.

Our engineering department is proficient in CAD design and will work with you from start to finish on designing your new tooling or modifying existing tools. They are truly experts in tool and die design and engineering prototypes.

Please peruse our website to find out more about our services including: quality metal stamping, prototyping, precision metal forming, progressive die, and more! We can work with many metals, such as aluminum, spring steel, brass, copper, tinplate, stainless steel, and more. We can also work with treated metals, including those that are galvanized, painted, rubber-coated anodized, or laminated. We are also experts in stainless stamping, precision metal forming and engineering prototypes. We offer local delivery and can handle any of your out of state shipping needs.

Sun Manufacturing is a production metal stamping, precision metal forming, punch press, tool and die design, prototyping, and manufacturing shop that has been supplying quality products and services to companies all over the world since 1984.

View the original article here

Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing deals with various aspects of joining materials to form parts. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is an automated technique for direct conversion of 3D CAD data into physical objects using a variety of approaches. Manufacturers have been using these technologies in order to reduce development cycle times and get their products to the market quicker, more cost effectively, and with added value due to the incorporation of customizable features. Realizing the potential of AM applications, a large number of processes have been developed allowing the use of various materials ranging from plastics to metals for product development.

Authors Ian Gibson, David W. Rosen and Brent Stucker explain these issues, as well as: Providing a comprehensive overview of AM technologies plus descriptions of support technologies like software systems and post-processing approaches Discussing the wide variety of new and emerging applications like micro-scale AM, medical applications, direct write electronics and Direct Digital Manufacturing of end-use components Introducing systematic solutions for process selection and design for AM Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing is the perfect book for researchers, students, practicing engineers, entrepreneurs, and manufacturing industry professionals interested in additive manufacturing.    

Price: $169.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals

An encyclopaedic guide to production techniques and materials for product and industrial designers, engineers, and architects.

Today's product designers are presented with a myriad of choices when creating their work and preparing it for manufacture. They have to be knowledgeable about a vast repertoire of processes, ranging from what used to be known as traditional "crafts" to the latest technology, to enable their designs to be manufactured effectively and efficiently. Information on the internet about such processes is often unreliable, and search engines do not usefully organize material for designers.

This fundamental new resource explores innovative production techniques and materials that are having an impact on the design industry worldwide. Organized into four easily referenced parts—Forming, Cutting, Joining, and Finishing—over seventy manufacturing processes are explained in depth with full technical descriptions; analyses of the typical applications, design opportunities, and considerations each process offers; and information on cost, speed, and environmental impact. The accompanying step-by-step case studies look at a product or component being manufactured at a leading international supplier.

A directory of more than fifty materials includes a detailed technical profile, images of typical applications and finishes, and an overview of each material's design characteristics. With some 1,200 color photographs and technical illustrations, specially commissioned for this book, this is the definitive reference for product designers, 3D designers, engineers, and architects who need a convenient, highly accessible, and practical reference. 1,200 color photographs and illustrations

Price: $95.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Additive manufacturing just got a lot more in the LPE

United Kingdom and Ireland in long established rapid prototyping Bureau LPE announced the production capabilities of the additive after the installation of iPro8000. With Assembly capacity of 750 x 650 x 550 mm increment of iPro 8000 for existing facilities the CCA represents a significant increase in the productive capacity of CCA in the EPL.

Commenting is expanding sales and Marketing Director Campbell Evans said;

"We believe that the introduction of the iPro8000 would have significant implications for a wide range of clients through LPE industry sectors. Large or full size components are no longer required, splitting and communication with the iPro 8000, more than twice our maximum CCA to build a platform.  This increase in the size of the object will not only better economies of scale for large production runs, the CCA will also provide most of the precision and durability of the plastic parts that used to require splitting and joining.

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Laminated Object Manufacturing – LOM Information

The Laminated Object Manufacturing is a new webpage that was just added to the new LOM Prototyping Information Website that has just been released. This new Laminated Object Manufacturing Information Process webpage has all of the information you need to know on LOM Prototyping and LOM Methods and the main information you need to know on Laminated Object Manufacturing Information. You can visit this LOM webpage at:  http://www.prototypezone.com/laminated-object-manufacturing/

Here is an excerpt from the new Laminated Object Manufacturing and LOM Prototyping webpage:

“How does Laminated Object Manufacturing Work? The LMO is used to manufacture 3 – D objects that are cut on the basis of the geometrical data that is available with the system. The laser that is used in the LMO is a carbon dioxide laser that is capable of creating cross sections of 3 – D objects successively, from layers of foil, usually paper. The back of the 3 – D object that is created has a polyethylene coating on it.

The computer with the help of which the LMO runs, has the ability to slice a solid 3 – D model into 2 – D cross sections that are thin. Every cross section would have a thickness that is equivalent to the thickness of each of the materials that is used for the process of prototyping.”

The new Laminated Object Manufacturing Rapid Prototype page is free information to members and non-members and can be found at: http://www.prototypezone.com/. However, users of Prototype Zone who decide to be members can join for free and receive two free E-Books on Rapid Prototyping for a limited time offer. Prototype Zone will be adding new information all the time on Rapid Prototyping so check back often in the forum and blog for the latest information at:  http://www.prototypezone.com/prototype-forum/laminated-ob...

About Prototype Zone: Prototype Zone is the leading information source and community website for all things about Prototyping and Rapid Prototyping. Visit the website to join for free and receive two free ebooks on Rapid Prototyping for a limited time offer.

View the original article here

Sun Manufacturing, Tulsa's Best Tool and Die, Stamping, and Prototyping Company has a New Website!

Sun Manufacturing, Inc. operates out of a 26,000 square-foot facility in Coweta, Oklahoma, just 10 minutes from Tulsa. We are a production metal stamping, precision metal forming, punch press, tool and die design, prototyping, and manufacturing shop that has been supplying quality metal stamping and other products to companies all over the world since 1984. We make a wide range of products and can handle most of your metal stamping needs.

We are dedicated to supplying our customers with parts of the highest quality. At Sun Manufacturing, we maintain a documented quality system that provides traceability to raw material, production, and outside process records. Our punch press capabilities consist of over 26 punch presses ranging from 22 tons to 275 tons. Our clean pressroom produces over 175 million parts a year. We incorporate Rapid-Air and Servo roll feeds to insure highly accurate and consistent feeds for our progressive tools and progressive die.

We do stainless stamping on material ranging from aluminum to stainless steel, including spring steel, brass, copper, tinplate, and more. We can even work with materials that are galvanized, painted, rubber coated anodized, or even laminated. We are capable of handling most of your exotic metal needs when it comes to our quality metal stamping. Our staff takes pride in keeping a clean, safe working environment.

Our precision tooling department is state of the art. We have an experienced staff of tool and die design experts. We currently have 6 Bridgeport mills, 4 lathes, and a high-tech wire EDM in operation. With the help of our expert staff, we handle all of our precision tooling needs in-house. We also maintain extensive service records on all of our precision tooling. With the use of our wire EDM we have the ability to produce all of our tooling components in-house. This gives us a cost-efficient and timely turn around on tooling service and repair as with new tool production.

We currently have 13 resistance welders ranging from 35 - 50 kVA in operation. We also use plasma seam welding. Our engineering department is proficient in CAD design and will work with you from start to finish on designing your new tooling or modifying existing tools. They are truly experts in tool and die design and engineering prototypes.

Please peruse our website to find out more about our services including: quality metal stamping, prototyping, precision metal forming, progressive die, and more! We can work with many metals, such as aluminum, spring steel, brass, copper, tinplate, stainless steel, and more. We can also work with treated metals, including those that are galvanized, painted, rubber-coated anodized, or laminated. We are also experts in stainless stamping, precision metal forming and engineering prototypes. We offer local delivery and can handle any of your out of state shipping needs.

Sun Manufacturing is a production metal stamping, precision metal forming, punch press, tool and die design, prototyping, and manufacturing shop that has been supplying quality products and services to companies all over the world since 1984.

View the original article here

A.P. Extrusion Announces the Expansion of Manufacturing Services With Addition of New 3D Printing

A.P. Extrusion (www.apextrusion.com), a leading custom tubing manufacturer located in Salem, New Hampshire, recently announced that they are expanding their services effectively immediately with the addition of 3D Printing. This new innovative technology, possible with the use of the Dimension 3D Printer, will assist R & D engineering teams in developing new products by easily translating a design schematic or SolidWorks print into a 3D prototype. Given the accuracy of 3D printing, it will assist in eliminating misinterpretation of data, and will produce an ABS prototype model rapidly and inexpensively.

“Our customers will realize benefits immediately as the 3D printing process can create an ABS prototype in hours, where with conventional methods, it used to take days or even weeks. Now, R & D teams will not only have the opportunity to improve the performance of their product, but it will also cut expenses and improve the time it takes to release their new product to the marketplace,” explains John Brusseau, President of A.P. Extrusion.

A.P. Extrusion invested in the Dimension Printer in response to the growing demand of its customers who were looking for more efficient processes to experiment with numerous design iterations without the added expense. In developing a 3D prototype of their product before putting it into full production provides them with the opportunity to explore the functionality and quality of a part early in the development phase, thereby reducing risk of product failure.

Regardless of the simplicity or complexity of a parts’ design, the many applications of 3D printing offer designers and engineers with practical advantages—they can:

?   Develop numerous design concepts to assist design teams in exploring new ideas in product development
?   Evaluate the form, fit and function to ensure all parts are meeting design specifications
?   Identify design flaws early in the product development phase
?   Reduce manufacturing expenses as costly errors are eliminated, also improving time-to-market

A.P. Extrusion’s has the in-house capabilities to create a 3D prototype of plastic parts for a wide range of industries to include but are not limited to medical devices, automotive, pharmaceutical processing, computer equipment, industrial, semiconductor, and food and beverage industry.

Companies interested in learning more about the competitive advantages that 3D printing provides are encouraged to contact A.P. Extrusion for more information at 603.890.1086 or at info@apextrusion.com.

A.P. Extrusion, Inc. located in Salem, New Hampshire, is a New England-based manufacturer of small diameter plastic tubing and a 3D printing service provider. We have over 20 year of experience in the custom, plastic, and medical tubing industries. Our experienced staff of engineers and designers will work with your company to manufacture your prototypes and products. For more information, please contact us at 603.890.1086 or at info@apextrusion.com.

View the original article here

Prototyping and Low-Volume Production (The Manufacturing Guides)

A new series for designers, engineers, architects, and students.

Designers are presented with a myriad of choices when preparing work for manufacture. Whether professionals or students, they must be thoroughly knowledgeable about how their designs can be produced efficiently and effectively.

Here is one the first books in a new series built on the authority of Rob Thompson’s highly acclaimed Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals. Clearly presented and highly detailed, each book is organized into three easily referenced parts: forming, joining, and finishing. An explanation of each manufacturing process provides a full technical description; analysis of typical applications; and information on cost, speed, and environmental impact. Step-by-step case studies show a product or component being manufactured by a leading international supplier. Photographs of geometry, detail, color, and surface finish complete the practical information. 448 color illustrations

Price: $29.95

Click here to buy from Amazon

Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals

An encyclopaedic guide to production techniques and materials for product and industrial designers, engineers, and architects.

Today's product designers are presented with a myriad of choices when creating their work and preparing it for manufacture. They have to be knowledgeable about a vast repertoire of processes, ranging from what used to be known as traditional "crafts" to the latest technology, to enable their designs to be manufactured effectively and efficiently. Information on the internet about such processes is often unreliable, and search engines do not usefully organize material for designers.

This fundamental new resource explores innovative production techniques and materials that are having an impact on the design industry worldwide. Organized into four easily referenced parts—Forming, Cutting, Joining, and Finishing—over seventy manufacturing processes are explained in depth with full technical descriptions; analyses of the typical applications, design opportunities, and considerations each process offers; and information on cost, speed, and environmental impact. The accompanying step-by-step case studies look at a product or component being manufactured at a leading international supplier.

A directory of more than fifty materials includes a detailed technical profile, images of typical applications and finishes, and an overview of each material's design characteristics. With some 1,200 color photographs and technical illustrations, specially commissioned for this book, this is the definitive reference for product designers, 3D designers, engineers, and architects who need a convenient, highly accessible, and practical reference. 1,200 color photographs and illustrations

Price: $95.00

Click here to buy from Amazon

Prototyping and Low-Volume Production (The Manufacturing Guides)

A new series for designers, engineers, architects, and students.

Designers are presented with a myriad of choices when preparing work for manufacture. Whether professionals or students, they must be thoroughly knowledgeable about how their designs can be produced efficiently and effectively.

Here is one the first books in a new series built on the authority of Rob Thompson’s highly acclaimed Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals. Clearly presented and highly detailed, each book is organized into three easily referenced parts: forming, joining, and finishing. An explanation of each manufacturing process provides a full technical description; analysis of typical applications; and information on cost, speed, and environmental impact. Step-by-step case studies show a product or component being manufactured by a leading international supplier. Photographs of geometry, detail, color, and surface finish complete the practical information. 448 color illustrations

Price: $29.95

Click here to buy from Amazon