Experiments of subtractive and additive fabrication technology applied to prototyping in product design

Abstract

This research proposal aims to investigate the limitations of digital fabrication processes of subtractive and additive rapid prototyping technologies in the production of pure geometric pieces with emphasis in the product design. Based on the demand of product designers in the analysis of concrete solutions applied on the development of new artefacts and the recent growth of digital fabrication, the present project uses virtual manufacturing processes through parametric modeling and polygonal mesh modeling, adaptation of the models by using simulation and conversion tools for its later production in fast prototyping machines with milling, cutting and engraving of laser and fusion and deposition techniques, applied to previously processed materials. Through the research project, it is expected to develop a contribution of practical knowledge in the development of product projects by using the digital fabrication. (AU)