SOLID MODELLING WITH RAPID PROTOTYPING

INTRODUCTORY EXAMPLE:

Developing a Solid Model of Volute Casing of Centrifugal Pump

Basic idea of our project is to develop a solid model of "Centrifugal Pump Casing " using rapid prototyping method, as rapid prototyping is fast becomming one of the essential technologies that allows manufacturers to improve product quality and reduce both time to market and the cost of new lines, as part of the current engineering strategy. Rapid prototyping is classified into two methods, one is material addition and another one is material removal. In our present project we are handling this technology with the aid of "PRO-ENGINEER" to develop the desired solid model of given component drawing.

PROBLEM STATEMENT: Input for our project is 2D drawing of volute casing of centrifugal pump of Kirloskar company . We studied the given drawing which contains views of various part details. We will develop 3D drawing of given object drawing with the help of Proengineering Software Package.

There are few more packages like AutoCad, Unigraphics & Ideas. But now we are using Proengineering package in present project. This 3D model is taken as input in the form of quick slices for the processing in the RP machine which gives the required output prototype model. This model is then tessellated and exported as an STL file. By convention the data slices are said to be in the x-y plane and part is built in the z-direction.