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2008
Conference Paper
Titel
Multifunctional parts by functionalisation solutions: How to integrate intelligence in rapid parts
Alternative
Multifunktionelle Bauteile durch moderne Funktionalisierungslösungen: Intelligenz in Rapid-Bauteile bringen
Abstract
The first techniques for rapid prototyping became available in the late 1980s and were used to produce models and prototype parts. Today,they are used for a much wider range of applications and are even used to manufacture production quality parts in relatively small numbers. The time and cost savings generated by strategic using Rapid Technologies are considerable and give users significant competitive advantages. The focus of the technology is producting patterns, models and prototypes extremely rapidly and efficiently from polymers, metals and other materials to accelerate product development and to validate, evaluate, optimize, coordinate and clear specific states of product development and selected product features by employing high-performance Rapid processes. Typical lot sizes are of one and small series employing high-performance Rapid processes. Improvment of specific functions like friction, wear, or insulation of the technical surfaces can be realized by application of coatings. Furthermore, additional functionalities to the Rapid products can be realized by so called smart surfaces or surface integrated sensors. Smart surfaces are here defined as a coating system providing functions like force, wear, distace, or temperature sensing. Therefore a functional layer system with tickness in the range of several micron will be locally applied and thus without changing tolerances enable the surface to "feel". Different thin film solution for the detection of applied force, strain, temperature, wear, and distance will be presented in this paper.