Fidelity is one of the most important parameters to consider when dealing with prototypes, which affect the related costs and performances. Current literature contributions often rely on generic definitions of Fidelity based on the concept of closeness. However, the review performed in this paper revealed that Fidelity is a more complex concept, which considers (at least) eight main dimensions, mutually interrelated, and potentially characterized by many other potential sub-dimensions. The identified set has been applied to an industrial case study were a real engineering prototype has been assessed in terms of Fidelity. In particular, the case study application shows how the different dimensions can be interrelated each other. Furthermore, some important research hints have been highlighted in this paper, where the identified set of Fidelity dimensions paves the way for the related future activities.

During the 3D printing process, around 15 % of the material used is wasted due to the supports and bases to generate the prototypes, attributing a problem for the environment and the economy of the users. Currently, do not exist a machine of low cost with can recycle the ABS and PLA filament of 3D printers and, in this way, reduce the operating costs of this type of machine, which is widely used in different industrial sectors for the manufacture of prototypes. Theories of mechanical design, heat transfer, and numerical analysis were used to calculate and analyze the most important elements to design the thermoforming machine made of recycled ABS and PLA material. Taking this into account, the machine will reduce printing costs, benefiting industries that use this type of material, with which they will be able to recycle and manufacture the printing material, 1 Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander Ocaña, (Colombia). Correo electrónico: ragarcial@ufpso.edu.co orcid: https//orcid....

Durante el proceso de impresión 3D, alrededor del 15 % del material utilizado es desperdiciado, debido a los soportes y bases para generar los prototipos, atribuyendo un problema para el ambiente y la economía de los usuarios. Actualmente, no existe una máquinade bajo costo con la que se pueda reciclar el filamento de acrilonitrilo butadieno estireno (ABS) yácido polilácticoopoliácido láctico (PLA) de las impresoras 3D, y asílograr disminuir los costos de operación de este tipo de máquinas que son de gran uso en sectores industriales para la fabricación de prototipos. Para el diseño de la máquina de termoconformados de material reciclado de ABS y PLA, se utilizaron teorías de diseño mecánico, transferencia de calor y análisis numérico para calcular y analizar los elementos más importantes. Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior, las industrias que utilizan este tipo de polímeros podrán reciclar y fabricar el material de impresión, optimizando, además, el proceso productivo, reduciendo los t...

Design optimization for Additive Manufacturing is demonstrated by the example of an industrial robot link. The part is first redesigned so that its shape details are compatible with the requirements of the Selective Laser Sintering technique. Subsequently, the SIMP method of topology optimization is utilized on commercially available software in order to obtain the optimum design of the part with restrictions applicable to Additive Manufacturing, namely member thickness, symmetry and avoidance of cavities and undercuts. Mass and strain energy are the design responses. The volume was constrained by a fraction of the initial mass. The desired minimization of maximum strain energy is expressed as an objective function. A 7% reduction in the mass of the part was achieved while its strength and stiffness remained unchanged. The process is supported by topology optimization software but it also involves some trial-and-error depending on the designer's experience.

This paper presents the methodology for integrated product development and design. Gears reduction drive was chosen as example. For design process, advance 3D methods and technologies were used, technologies such as: 3D geometric parametric modeling of virtual prototype, simulation of working principles, manufacturing of real prototype using additive manufacturing (3D printing) and usage of augmented reality. In conclusion part of the paper, using results from this research, advantages of integrated product development and design are highlighted, with special focus on influence of this methodology on students education at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in the field ofmechanical power transmissions.

This article, through in approach of Product Development Process (PDP), characterizes the development phases of a new concept of vertical axis wind power turbine. The conceptual model used serves as a guide in the design, management and implementation of product research and development (R&D). The use of a model facilitates the replication, evolution and error handling of a new concept. Product development methodologies were applied in UNIFEI laboratories and the results prove the efficiency of the proposed prototype in comparison to existing technologies.

Purpose This paper aims to argue about the involvement of additive technologies (ATs) in the prototyping issues of designing. More precisely, it reviews the literature contributions focused on the different perspectives of prototyping activities for design purposes, searching for both available knowledge and research needs concerning the correct exploitation of ATs. Design/methodology/approach A two-step literature review has been performed. In the first step, general information has been retrieved about prototyping issues related to design. In the second step, the literature searches were focused on retrieving more detailed information about ATs, concerning each of the main issues identified in the previous step. Extracted information has been analyzed and discussed for understanding the actual coverage of the arguments and for identifying possible research needs. Findings Four generally valid prototyping issues have been identified in the first step of the literature review. For e...

Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies are widely adopted in design practice for prototyping. However, the extent to which practitioners are knowledgeable and experienced in designing components for series production using AM remains poorly understood. This study presents the results of an online survey aimed at uncovering this emerging design activity, with additional evidence provided by semi-structured interviews with 18 designers. One hundred ten practising designers responded. The majority of the respondents remain sceptical about the potential for AM as a process for series production, citing cost and technical capabilities as key barriers. Only 23 reported experience in designing components for series production using AM, with the majority of these designing parts to be produced from plastic. The survey revealed that these designers have developed their own ‘design rules’ based primarily on personal experience. These rules, however, tended to focus on ensuring ‘printability’ and did not provide support for taking advantage of the unique capabilities of AM processes. The designers tended to treat AM processes as a uniform set of production processes, and so the design rules they used were generic and not directed to the capabilities of specific AM processes.