Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Rapid manufacturing in minutes: The development of a mask projection stereolithography process for high-speed fabrication

  • University of Southern California

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present a direct digital manufacturing (DDM) process that is an order of magnitude faster than other DDM processes currently available. The developed process is based on a mask-image-projection- based Stereolithography process (MIP-SL), during which a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) controlled projection light cures and cross-links liquid photopolymer resin. In order to achieve high-speed fabrication, we investigated the bottom-up projection system in the MIP-SL process. A set of techniques including film coating and the combination of two-way linear motions have been developed for the quick spreading of liquid resin into uniform thin layers. The process parameters and related settings to achieve the fabrication speed of a few seconds per layer are presented. Additionally, the hardware, software, and material setups developed for fabricating given three-dimensional (3D) digital models are presented. Experimental studies using the developed testbed have been performed to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the presented fast MIP-SL process. The test results illustrate that the newly developed process can build a moderately sized part within minutes instead of hours that are typically required.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationASME 2012 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference Collocated with the 40th North American Manufacturing Research Conf. and in Participation with the Int. Conf., MSEC 2012
Pages405-414
Number of pages10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
EventASME 2012 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference, MSEC 2012 Collocated with the 40th North American Manufacturing Research Conference and in Participation with the International Conference - Notre Dame, IN, United States
Duration: Jun 4 2012Jun 8 2012

Publication series

NameASME 2012 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference Collocated with the 40th North American Manufacturing Research Conference and in Participation with the Int. Conf., MSEC 2012

Conference

ConferenceASME 2012 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference, MSEC 2012 Collocated with the 40th North American Manufacturing Research Conference and in Participation with the International Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNotre Dame, IN
Period06/4/1206/8/12

Keywords

  • Additive manufacturing
  • Digital mask image projection
  • High-speed fabrication
  • Rapid prototyping
  • Stereolithography

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Rapid manufacturing in minutes: The development of a mask projection stereolithography process for high-speed fabrication'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this