Rapid Prototyping Dictionary

CAD - Computer-Aided Design

CAE - Computer-Aided Engineering

CAGD - Computer-Aided Geometric Design

CAM - Computer-Aided Manufacturing

CNC - Computer Numerical Control

Computer-aided design - Use of IT in the design of products

Computer-aided engineering - Uses information technology to support engineers.

Computer-aided manufacturing - Software used to acheive he finished product.

FDM - Fused Deposition Modeling

Fused Deposition Modeling - Builds a part by placing melted plastic unto a platform.

GF Nylon - Glass Fiber/Filled Nylon.

Photopolymer - Polymer that becomes solid when exposed to light.

Photopolymer Phase machines - Uses UV lamp mounted in print head to cure each layer.

Plating - Applying metal to a product.

Polyurethane - Type of thermoplastic.

PU - Polyurethane

Rapid manufacturing - Automatic process to acheive final product.

Rapid Prototyping - Technologies using CAD data to produce models of products.

Rapid tooling - Automatically building tools or molds.

Selective Laser Sintering - Technology using a laser to produce models.

SLA - Stereolithography

SLS - Selective Laser Sintering

Stereolithography - Technology that builds parts using photopolymers.

STL - Type of file format

Thermoplastic - Type of plastic that melts to a liquid and resolidifies when cooled.

UV - ultraviolet light.

Vacuum Casting - Mold is formed by suspending model in a vat of liquid silicone or room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) rubber.