Abstract
Rapid Prototyping(RP) techniques have their unique characteristics according to the working principles: stair-stepped surface of a part due to layer-by-layer stacking, low build speed caused by point-by-point or line-by-line solidification to build one layer, and additional posts processing to improve surface roughness, so high cost is required to introduce and to maintain the RP apparatus. The objective of this study is to develop a new RP process, Variable Lamination Manufacturing by using expandable polystyrene foam sheet as part material(VLM-S), and to design an apparatus for implementation of the process. So, the process parameters and design criterions of the apparatus were defined and the techniques were proposed to satisfy the design criterion. Based on the results, a knob-shape, pyramid shape. and a solid block were fabricated on the apparatus in which unit shape part(USP) was generated for building each layer.
