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This book summarizes recent advances in robotics using 3D printers and rapid prototyping as a concept development tool. The book is focused on industrial applications, educational aspects, rehabilitation, and other related topics. In particular, the book is intended to offer the reader a smooth yet deep introduction to the use of 3D printers and rapid prototyping techniques as a solution to robotics and mechatronics problems, highlighting successful case studies.

This book describes a novel system for the simultaneous visual and tactile rendering of product shapes which allows designers to simultaneously touch and see new product shapes during the conceptual phase of product development. This system offers important advantages, including potential cost and time savings, compared with the standard product design process in which digital 3D models and physical prototypes are often repeatedly modified until an optimal design is achieved. The system consists of a tactile display that is able to represent, within a real environment, the shape of a product. Designers can explore the rendered surface by touching curves lying on the product shape, selecting those curves that can be considered style features and evaluating their aesthetic quality. In order to physically represent these selected curves, a flexible surface is modeled by means of servo-actuated modules controlling a physical deforming strip. The tactile display is designed so as to be portable, low cost, modular, and high performing in terms of the types of shape that it can represent.

This edited volume comprises select chapters on advanced technologies for 3D printing and additive manufacturing and how these technologies have changed the face of direct, digital technologies for rapid production of models, prototypes and patterns. Because of its wide applications, 3D printing and additive manufacturing technology has become a powerful new industrial revolution in the field of manufacturing. The evolution of 3D printing and additive manufacturing technologies has changed design, engineering and manufacturing processes across industries such as consumer products, aerospace, medical devices and automotives. The objective of this book is to help designers, R&D personnel, and practicing engineers understand the state-of-the-art developments in the field of 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing.

„Wenn wir Schlittschuh über dünnes Eis laufen, liegt unser Heil nur in der Schnelligkeit.“ meinte Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 82), amerikanischer Philosoph und Dichter. Innovationsorientierte Unternehmen müssen in der Lage sein zu beschleunigen, wenn es drauf ankommt. Sie müssen „die Na se vorn haben“ mit Erfolg versprechenden Neuerungen, um die Konkur renz auf dem überlasteten Eis förmlich stehen zu lassen. Wie sieht das Umfeld in der Forschung und Entwicklung heutzutage aus? Zeit und Kostendruck, eine stark differenzierte Markt bzw. Kun denorientierung, sowie steigende Qualitätsanforderungen sowohl bei den Produkten wie auch den zugehörigen Prozessen bilden herausfordernde und treibende Rahmenbedingungen. Innovationen müssen in diesem turbu lenten und komplexen Umfeld nicht nur zielgerichtet und Ressourcen schonend sondern auch schnell und effizient entwickelt werden. „Wer auf dünnem Eis verharrt, kann schnell einbrechen.“ „Entwicklung und Erprobung innovativer Produkte – Rapid Prototy ping“ ist die Zielsetzung des von der DFG geförderten Sonderforschungs bereichs 374, dessen Ergebnisse in diesem Band beschrieben werden.

1st ed. published as: Rapid prototyping : principles & applications of manufacturing.

Rapid Prototyping of Digital Systems provides an exciting and challenging laboratory component for undergraduate digital logic and computer design courses. The more advanced topics and exercises also make this text useful for upper level courses in digital logic or programmable logic. Design engineers working in industry will want to consider this text for a rapid introduction to PPLD technology and logic synthesis using commercial CAD tools. Rapid Prototyping of Digital Systems includes two tutorials on the Altera CAD tool environment, an overview of programmable logic, and a design library with several easy-to-use input and output functions. These features were developed to help students get started quickly. Early design examples use schematic capture and library components. VHDL is used for more complex designs after a short introduction to VHDL-based synthesis. The approach used in this text reflects contemporary practice in industry more accurately than the more traditional TTL protoboard-based laboratory courses. Designs containing up to twenty thousand gates are possible with the Altera Student Version CAD tools and the UP 1 board. Rapid Prototyping of Digital Systems contains a number of interesting and challenging laboratory projects involving serial communications, state machines with video output, video games and graphics, simple computers, keyboard and mouse interfaces, robotics, and a RISC processor core. These projects were all developed on the student version of the Altera CAD tools and can be implemented on the Altera UP 1 board.