Incorporating Rapid Prototyping Into the Engineering Design Curriculum

This article shows how rapid prototyping technology (RPT) can be successfully integrated into the drafting and design curriculum. RPT can add excitement and realism to the curriculum by transforming student;s 3-D CAD designs into 3-D working models in matter of hours. Students can use these prototypes to verify machine part design in terms of form, fit and limited functional testing. At Southwest Texas State University a Helisys Laminated Object Manufacturing rapid prototyping machine has been effectively incorporated into a sophomore level engineering design graphics course. In this paper the instructional modules that are used in this course are described. Additionally, a case study is presented to illustrate the culmination of the course: the creation of a working model of multiple part assembly through use of RPT.