StereolithographyThis is a featured page


What is stereolithography?
Stereolithography is the process in which 3-D objects are cut out of a liquid plastic through the help of a laser and platform controlled by a computer software. Another name for stereolithography would be rapid prototyping. A CAD or CAM program is used to first design the object, which will usually be a prototype, on the computer. Afterward, the program uses a software to transfer the design to the stereolithography machine, the machine that makes the prototype. The machine consists of a perforated platform, ultra-violet laser, and liquid plastic. An alternative to liquid plastic could be resin.The software interprets the design and slices it up into layers in which the machine will make the prototype. The platform is submerged in the liquid plastic until the ultra-violet laser hardens the plastic into the needed form. Then, the platform moves up, giving the laser another layer of liquid plastic to work with.
The software interprets the design and slices it up into layers in which the machine will make the prototype. The platform is submerged in the liquid plastic until the ultra-violet laser hardens the plastic into form.

IT SystemsStereolithography Machine
  • CAD (Computer Aided Design) / CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) Program
    The CAD/CAM program enables the creator to model what their object would be like in real life with the convenience of the object being digital, therefore subject to being easily edited and viewed from all sides without the trouble of actually making and editing the prototype by hand.
  • Software
    The software used to transfer the design information from the computer to the stereolithography machine is essential in that it is what tells the machine what to do by correctly interpreting what the computer wants. It is also a key component because it is what actually splits the design into layers of which the laser can understand to "build" the prototype with.
  • Stereolithography Machine
    The machine is the most important IT system of stereolithography because it is what physically makes the object that is needed. The machine can be seen as an expert machine because it specializes in the making of 3-D objects using only the platform, software, and laser. With the help of recent improvements, the machine is now able to produce objects at a much faster rate. Because of this, the stereolithography machine can be used to rapidly produce prototypes. An example is pictured to the right.

Advantages
  • Time
    With the invention of stereolithography comes many advantages. Manufacturers and producers can prototype objects within a few hours of time rather than the days they would have to wait for the prototype AND mold to be made by hand.

  • No Mold
    Without a need for a mold, but rather a design that can be transferred and duplicated easily on the computer, money, time, and effort are saved. Rather than a physical mold, a digital mold is made with the CAD/CAM program.

  • Examples
    Some uses for this rapid prototyping could be in aerospace components, medical devices, and in our very own automobiles.

DisadvantagesStereolithography Machine Perforated Platform
  • Limited Size
    Rapid prototyping technology to date is not as big as it may seem. The perforated platform, though it is what essentially holds and supports the object, is not the only limiting factor here. The platform size can be made bigger to fit and support bigger and bulkier objects and prototypes, but the question lies within the laser and how much it can handle within the specific amount of time that is needed for the prototype to be made.

  • Precision and Accuracy
    This may not seem to be a disadvantage to stereolithography with the rapidly developing technology, but it does remain a huge factor in a manufacturer's decision on whether or not to purchase the system. The precision and accuracy of a machine, though improving, is still a remaining flaw in this technology.
Social/Ethical Issues
  • People and Machines
    An issue regarding stereolithography would be between people and machines. With the new technology out there, those employed to make the same prototype over and over are sure to lose their jobs because of the efficiency of the stereolithography machine by itself. Companies are sure to see the advantages in the machine, but the limits and disadvantages at the moment seem to weigh out the advantages.

  • Reliability
    Another social issue that is involved with stereolithography lies in reliability. Although the current societal mindset is that we can trust machines to do what they are told, stereolithography is still a new and developing technology that still needs improvement. As a result, stereolithography machines are not always reliable in that the prototypes or objects they produce can be scratched, marred, deformed, or just not what was originally designed by the creator.

Sources



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mmmmmmmary 		Latest page update: made by mmmmmmmary , Oct 5 2008, 11:47 PM EDT (about this update About This Update mmmmmmmary Edited by mmmmmmmary

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