PC_(Pro) a novel technology for Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Manufacturing

摘要

stands for Precise Cast Prototyping, which is a combination of casting technologies and milling. This method was developed at Fraunhofer IWS in Dresden, Germany. It is patented in Germany and is applied in the USA under US 10/794,936. The main goal for this development was to shorten the process chain for making plastic prototypes accompanied by higher quality. The casting technology was integrated in a machining center in order to enable a high degree of automation and to avoid an external casting system. This means that Rapid Manufacturing can be easily implemented using such an automated combination of casting and machining. This article describes the PC_(Pro) method by means of the fabrication of sample parts. The advantages and the limitations in comparison to common Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Manufacturing process chains will be discussed. In addition, the manufacturing of a prototype machine is presented.