Encyclopedia of Technology & Industry Terms
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2D Rendering: Process that industrial designers use to visualize their ideas by putting thoughts on paper with any number of combinations of color markers, pencils and other tools.
3 Dimensional Pringing (3DP): A rapid prototyping process developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Layers of powder are bonded by inkjet to form a part. The term is also used generically as synonym for rapid prototyping.
3D Printing: Refers generally to the low-cost segment of the rapid prototyping machine market. The output of these systems is typically considered adequate for concept and appearance modeling, but may lack the accuracy or other attributes of more costly systems. This terminology is used extensively in the Wohlers Report, but others may not draw as fine a distinction.
3D Rendering: Process that industrial designers use to visualize their ideas by creating three-dimensional images using computer technology. These renderings are used to provide 360-degree views of products or concepts.
Absolute Accuracy: Defined as the difference between an intended final dimension and the actual dimension as determined by a physical measurement of the part. In addition to those for linear dimensions, there are accuracy specifications for such features as hole sizes and flatness.
Appearance Model: A physical example of a new product concept. In the purest sense, a model is a solid rendering of a product. Unlike a typical prototype, a model is required to be neither functional nor representative in materials. A prototype may serve as an appearance model, however, an appearance model is not necessarily a prototype.
Bill of Materials (BOM): A listing of all subassemblies, intermediate parts and raw materials that go into a parent assembly showing the quantity of each required to make an assembly.
Brand: A name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers. The legal term for brand is trademark. A brand may identify one item, a family of items, or all items of that seller.
Breadboard: A proof-of-concept modeling technique that represents how a product will work, but not how a product will look.
Fabrication: Fabrication of a part by adding materials to a substrate or previously formed portions of a part. The most common additive fabrication methods utilize a layered approach, but other geometries are possible. The term is also used generically as a synonym for rapid prototyping.
Advanced Digital Manufacturing: 3D Systems' trade name for direct manufacturing or direct fabrication. Often used in conjunction with the company's now dormant OptoForm technology.
Alloy: A substance having metallic properties and composed of two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal.
Anisotropic: Refers to the fact that parts may have different physical properties depending on which direction measurements are made, and such differences can also arise if the exact same part is made in a different way. This can happen if the building orientation of the part in the machine is changed, and also from the sequence in which the part's elements are fabricated.
ASM: Abbreviation for American Society of Materials International, ASM International
ASTM: Abbreviation for American Society of Testing Methods
Ballistic Partical Manufacturing (BPM): A rapid prototyping process which deposits materials by means of inkjet technology. At one time the term was used to refer to a specific company's technology, BPM, Inc., now defunct, but prior to that it was an early generic term for inkjet-based RP. The term is not often used at present.
Bridge Tooling: Tooling which is typically capable of producing quantities of several tens to several hundreds of parts. That is to say, it "bridges" the quantity between very low volume prototype tooling and full production tooling. In some cases bridge tooling may offer sufficient volume to meet production requirements. Most rapid tooling technologies can be considered bridge tooling because they're not yet capable of truly high quantity production.
Brown Part: A part which has been sintered or had other secondary operations performed on it to bring it from the loosely-bonded, as-formed "green" state. Parts in the brown state are generally dimensionally stable, but are often porous and usually must be infiltrated with another material before use.
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): The use of gaseous precursor molecules to form solid films or powders. The process is widely used in the fabrication of semiconductors.
CNC Mill: (Computer Numerically Controlled) A mill used to create models and prototype parts from a variety of relatively soft materials. The mill uses an assortment of bits and carving tools to subtract material from a solid block.
Color Standard: A small sprayed-out sample of OEM color. This is the established requirement for a given color code. This is the color the car is supposed to be from the factory.
Computer Numberical Control (CNC): Refers to a machine tool which is operated under automatic control, as opposed to manually by an operator.
Computer Aided Design (CAD): Also sometimes called computer-aided drafting, is a computer program which implements the functions of geometric design, drafting and documentation.
Computer Aided Engineering (CAE): A computer program which automates one or more engineering analysis functions to determine the mechanical, thermal, magnetic or other characteristics or state of a system. CAE programs may use a geometry definition from a CAD program as a starting point, and usually utilize some form of finite element analysis (FEA) as the means to perform the analysis.
Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM): A computer program that generates tool paths or other manufacturing data to fabricate tooling, usually by subtractive means. CAM programs may use a geometry definition from a CAD program as a starting point.
Concept Model: A part intended primarily for form or appearance study, but which typically cannot be used to either check fit to other parts, or provide functionality of the final part in an application.
Conformal Cooling: Cooling lines in an injection molding tool that closely follow the geometry of the part to be produced.
Creep: The flow or plastic deformation of metals held for long periods of time at stresses lower than the normal yield strength. The effect is particularly important if the temperature of stressing is in the vicinity of the recrystallization temperature of the metal.
Design Criteria: A formal document containing standards agreed to by key stakeholders. It includes prioritized wants and needs, and is a list used to measure the success of designs relative to the project goals.
Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DMFA): A method fo designing parts and assemblies that makes them easier to put together. Involves techniques such as: top-down Z-Axiz assembly; part consolidation; and elimination of fasteners and asymetrical parts that only go together one way, etc.
Desktop Manufacturing (DTM): An early synonym for rapid prototyping, but no longer in current usage. DTM Corp., now incorporated into 3D Systems, was named after this terminology. Use of DTM as a company name became more common usage than the prior technical definition itself.
Development Change Order (DCO): A document used to implement changes during product development. It spells out the desired change, the reason for the change and the consequences to time to market, development cost, and to the cost of producing the final product.
Direct Fabrication Processes: Generally refers to tooling which is made directly by a rapid prototyping system, as opposed to using the RP part as a pattern in a secondary process.
Direct AIM Tooling: 3D Systems' trade name for a process of producing injection-mold tooling directly by stereolithography. AIM stands for ACES Injection Molding, where ACES stands for Accurate Clear Epoxy Solid, another 3D trade name.
Direct Composit Manufacturing: 3D Systems' trade name for OptoForm technology, a stereolithography process which utilizes paste-like photopolymers to fabricate useable parts.
Direct Manufacturing: A synonym for rapid manufacturing. It refers to parts made directly for end-use by an additive rapid prototyping process.
Directed Metal Deposition (DMD): A rapid laser powder forming process commercialized by POM Group and based on research done at the University of Michigan.
Directed Metal Deposition Systems (DMDS): Optomec's trade name for the LENS ® (Reg. trademark of Sandia National Labs. and Sandia Corp.) process.
Direct Shell Production Casting: Soligen is the exclusive supplier for this specialized version of MIT's three dimensional printing process (3DP). It is used exclusively for investment casting applications.
Directed Light Fabrication: A laser powder forming rapid prototyping process developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Electron Beam Melding: The Electron Beam Melting (EBM) process from Arcam is a powder-based process having a lot in common with selective laser sintering, but replaces the laser with a scanned electron beam to produce fully-dense metal parts.
Engineering Design: A function in the product creation process where a good is configured and specific form is decided.
Engineering Model: The combination of hardware and software intended to demonstrate the simulated functioning of the intended product as currently designed.
Enhanced Product: A form of derivative product. Enhanced products include additional features not previously found on the base platform which provide increased value to consumers.
Extrusion: A manufacturing process that utilizes a softened billet of material which is forced through a shape (or die) to allow for a continuous form much like spaghetti.
Final Machining: A secondary operation in which parts formed by a rapid prototyping method are brought to acceptable final finishes and tolerances typically by subtractive CNC technology.
Functional Schematic: A schematic drawing that is made up of all of the functional elements in a product. It shows the product's functions as well as how material, energy and signal flows through the product.
Finish: A qualitative term for the appearance of a part. For example, technologies based on powders have a sandy or diffuse finish; some inkjet technologies produce a smooth finish due to use of extremely thin layers; sheet-based methods might be considered poorer in finish because stairstepping is more pronounced.
First-to-Market: The first product that creates a new product category or a substantial subdivision of a category.
Flatteing Agent: Material used in paint to dull or eliminate gloss.
Flex Agent: Material added to paint for additional flexibility, usually used for rubber or plastic flexible parts.
Flop: The color of a finish when viewed from a side angle, other than direct.
Freeform Fabrication (FFF): A synonym for rapid prototyping. The term is more precise and wider in scope, and somewhat favored by the academic community. One variant is freeform manufacturing (FFM), but a more common one is solid freeform fabrication (SFF).
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): A thermoplastic extrusion-based rapid prototyping technology provided by Stratasys.
Fused Deposition of Ceramics: Fused deposition modeling using a composite material of thermoplastic or other binder containing ceramic particles or fibers.
Glaze: A very fine polishing material used to gain gloss and shine.
Gloss: Reflectance of light from a painted surface. Measured at different degrees by instruments known as gloss meters.
Grayness: The amount of black or white in a specific color.
Gradient Materials: The use of two or more materials in variable and controlled proportions as a function of the geometry of the fabricated part or object. A transition from one material to another may be abrupt or gradual.
Green Part: A part that has been formed by a rapid prototyping process, but is in a loosely-bonded state. For example, metal or ceramic parts formed by some selective laser sintering systems are in a "green" state when removed from the machine. They are then sintered by a secondary operation to a "brown" state.
Ground Coat: Highly pigmented coat of paint applied before a transparent color to speed hiding.
Guide Coat: A mist coat of a different color, usually primer, to aid in getting a panel sanded straight. A dry contrasting color applied to prime prior to sanding. This coat remains in the low areas and imperfections during the sanding process. When removed, imperfections are eliminated.
Indirect Fabrication Processes: Generally refers to tooling which is made by using an RP-generated part as a pattern for a secondary process as opposed to directly fabricating a tool using the RP process itself.
Industrial Design (ID): The professional service of creating and developing concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value, and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer [Industrial Design Society of America].
Invention: the act of striving to create a new method, solution, process or device by testing or studying an idea or groups of ideas. Invention may or may not result in a desired outcome, that is, a solution may not be reached to the satisfaction of all participants.
ISO-9000: A set of five auditable standards of the International Standards Organization that establishes the role of a quality system in a company and which is used to assess whether the company can be certified as compliant to the standards. ISO-9001 deals specifically with new products.
Initial Graphic Exchange Specification (IGES): A standard neutral format for the exchange of 2D and 3D CAD data. STEP is a follow-on to IGES and stands for Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data.
Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM): Helisys, now defunct and succeeded by Cubic Technologies, was the first producer but also several other manufacturers provide this technology. Layers of paper or other materials are cut and bonded to form a part.
Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM): A laser powder forming rapid prototyping process developed by AeroMet Corporation. It was mainly aimed at producing large parts from reactive materials such as titanium for aerospace applications, but the company became inactive in Oct., 2005.
Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS): A rapid prototyping process which deposits metal powder into a pool of molten metal or other build material formed by a focused laser beam. There are several variants either commercially available or under development. LENS ® was developed by Sandia National Laboratories and commercialized by Optomec. It can also be used for repairing and modifying existing parts and tools. (LENS ® and Laser Engineered Net-Shaping (TM) are registered trademarks of Sandia National Labs. and Sandia Corp.)
Liquid Metal Jet Printing (LMJP): Similar to inkjet printing where individual molten droplets are controlled and printed to specific locations.
Manufacturability: The extent to which a new product can be easily and effectively manufactured at minimum cost and with maximum reliability.
Manufacturing Assembly Proceedure: Procedural documents normally prepared by manufacturing personnel that describe how a component, subassembly or system will be put together to create a final product.
Manufacturing Design: The process of determining the manufacturing process that will be used to make a new product.
Manufacturing Test Specification Procedure: Documents prepared by development and manufacturing personnel that describe the performance specifications of a component, subassembly or system that will be met during the manufacturing process, and that describe the procedure by which the specification will be assessed.
Minimize Feature Size: Refers to the smallest detail of a part that can faithfully be reproduced. Mathematical definitions are usually based on a minimum curvature as a limit, but anecdotal values based on experience are more commonly utilized.
Model Maker: This is an inkjet RP method produced by Solidscape (formerly Sanders Prototypes), and the related company, Sanders International. It produces the highest accuracy and resolution of all RP methods, but is slow and has limited material choices.
Multi-Jet Modeling: This is an inkjet RP method produced by 3D Systems, Inc. It uses a wide area head and is most often used for generating quick concept models. The materials available are wax-like plastics and accuracy is lower than that available from stereolithography.
Non-Product Advantage: Elements of the marketing mix which create competitive advantage other than the product itself. These elements can include marketing communications, distribution, company reputation, technical support and associated services.
Pattern: An object or part which possesses the mechanical geometry of a final object or part, but which may not possess the desired mechanical, thermal or other attributes of the final parts. Patterns are used in secondary processes to form tools to make parts for end-uses.
Photopolymer: Material systems which change from a liquid to a solid state upon application of light (actinic) radiation. Light sources can be a laser or lamp, but related radiation-curable materials may be made solid by application of microwave or heat-based radiation sources. Photopolymers are typically complex mixtures of compounds rather than consisting of a single component.
Post processing: Secondary operations necessary to turn an additively fabricated-part into a useable one. Such operations may include cleaning, removal of supports or unused powder, post-curing and surface finishing operations such as sanding.
Product Development: The overall process of strategy, organization, concept generation, product and marketing plan creation and evaluation, and commercialization of a new product.
Product Development & Management Association: A not-for-profit professional organization whose purpose is to seek out, develop, organize and disseminate leading edge information on the theory and practice of product development and product development processes. The PDMA uses local, national, and international meetings and conferences, educational workshops, a quarterly newsletter (Visions), a bi-monthly scholarly journal (Journal of Product Innovation Management), research proposal and dissertation proposal competitions, and this handbook to achieve its purposes.
Product Development Checklist: A pre-determined list of activities and disciplines responsible for completing those activities used as a guideline to ensure that all the tasks of product development are considered prior commercialization.
Prometal: An application of MIT's Three Dimensional Printing Process to the fabrication of injection molds. Steel powder layers are bonded by photopolymer selectively applied by a wide area inkjet head.
Prototype: A physical model of the new product concept. Depending upon the purpose, prototypes may be non-working, functionally working or both functionally and aesthetically complete. A prototype is typically created to test or prove a functional aspect of a product. A prototype may serve as an appearance model, however, an appearance model is not necessarily a prototype.
QuickCast: 3D Systems' trade name for a stereolithography build style used to make investment casting patterns.
Rapid Manufacturing: Refers to the process of fabricating parts directly for end-use from a rapid prototyping machine. A synonym is direct manufacturing.
Rapid Prototyping: Computer-controlled additive fabrication. Commonly used synonyms for RP are: 3-Dimensional Printing, additive fabrication, freeform fabrication, solid freeform fabrication, stereolithography. Any of a variety of processes which avoids tooling time in producing prototypes or prototype parts and therefore allows (generally non-functioning) prototypes to be produced within hours or days rather than weeks. These prototypes are frequently used to test quickly the product's technical feasibility or consumer interest.
Rapid Tooling: Most often refers to the process of fabricating tools from a rapid prototyping process. Rapid tooling may utilize direct or indirect methods: In direct methods, the part fabricated by the RP machine itself is used as the tool. In indirect methods, the part fabricated by the RP machine is used as a pattern in a secondary process. The resulting part from the secondary process is then used as the tool. In recent years, the term rapid tooling has been borrowed by practitioners of industry-standard methods such as subtractive CNC to refer to the ability to streamline these processes to compete with additive technologies.
Reverse Engineering: The process of measuring an existing part to create a geometric CAD data definition of the part. In common non-technical usage, reverse engineering may also refer to measuring or analyzing a part or a product for the purpose of copying it.
Secondary Operations: Manual or machine-based operations which must be carried out on a part fabricated by a rapid prototyping system before use. Secondary operations may include, post curing, support-removal, sanding, machining, etc.
Secondary Process: Any one of a large number of processes such as rubber molding. Sprayform, EcoTool, etc., that utilize a rapid prototyping-fabricated part as pattern to create a final tool or part.
Selective Laser Melting (SLM): A process similar to selective laser sintering, but which fully melts metal or ceramic powders to directly form fully-dense parts.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): A rapid prototyping technology in which powders are fused layerwise by a laser. The technology produces accurate parts and models in engineering polymers, metals and polymer-coated sand for casting applications. Speed is similar to stereolithography, but material selection is wider.
Stairstepping: A type of inaccuracy, as well as a visual appearance artifact It refers to the stepped appearance of the edges of a part, a consequence of additive fabricating a part in layers of necessarily finite thickness.
Step: A follow-on to the IGES neutral file exchange format. The acronym stands for Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data.
Stereolithography (SL) (SLA): A rapid prototyping process that fabricates a part layerwise by hardening a photopolymer with a guided laser beam.
STL: A file format used in RP to define the geometry of the part to be made. STL files are created by CAD programs by translating their native or neutral files into the STL format. The STL file defines the coordinates of numerous triangular facets that approximate the shape of an object or part.
Subtractive Machining: The fabrication of a part by removing material from a stock shape of material. The stock shape may be a prismatic solid, cylinder, plate, etc. The removal of material may by cutting, turning, electro-discharge or other means. Common machinery such as millers, lathes and drills are subtractive tools.
Tooling: For plastic injection molding, the solid stock of materials that serve as molds for products. Tools are synonymous with molds, although tools typically have a longer lifecycle (number of parts that can be fashioned) than molds made of softer materials. Tools may be developed for production parts or prototype parts. Prototype tools are usually built of less permanent material (such as aluminum) and are used to create a limited number of parts to be used for testing of engineering and manufacturing elements.
Tolerance: The amount by which any characteristic, such as dimensional, chemical, physical or mechanical properties may vary from that specified.
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