DESIGN AND REALIZATION OF MULTI-MATERIAL AND MULTI-PROCESS DEPOSITION METHOD

Abstract

Traditional rapid prototyping (RP) technologies have been widely used to create freeform prototypes ready to work as functional objects. Although RP technologies are flexible for making free-form objects, each RP technology can only produce very limited products as only certain materials are allowed. In order to manufacture a wider range of components a new RP method called MMMPDM (Multi Material and Multi Process Deposition Method) is being implemented. The system is capable of using more than one material to produce parts with specific requirements that cannot be met by a single material, such as with graded composition and locally controlled properties. This paper reports on the design and realization of a Multi Materials and Multi Processes Deposition Machine.