INTEGRATED RAPID PROTOTYPING SYSTEM (IRPS): DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION STRATEGIES

摘要

Rapid Prototyping (RP) started off as a designer visualization and verification tool. RP is now a promising technology shortening the time-to-market of new products. The Integrated Rapid Prototyping System (IRPS) consists of a powerful CAD system, a 4-axes Laser Scanner for Product Re-engineering, a Laminated Object Machining (LOM) machine and a Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) machine. Eight months after the commissioning of this equipment, 40 projects were carried out for more than 20 multi-national companies as well as small and medium sized enterprises. Some companies showed intense interest in applying this technology either by acquiring equipment or engaging bureau services. This paper explains how Temasek Polytechnic (TP) identified this technology and mapped out the development and industrial application strategies to help industry to understand and apply the RP technology.