virtualization of design and production a thesis - Bilkent University

Fig.11 The rapid prototype of a lighting luminarie.
selection, cost calculations, production duration, the complexity of product
geometry, proper production details, number of the products to be manufactured
creates a constant interaction between design and mass production processes.
Even if existing mass production technologies satisfy the industry greatly in
terms of production speed, production quota and diversity of materials, they still
restrict product designers. The approach of using Rapid Prototyping technology
in mass manufacturing process is promising because of its features such as tool
less and mould less production, being directly digital data, and having a
production logic which provides creating various geometries and details.
Hopkins and Dickens summarize that "The idea of using rapid prototyping (RP)
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