Resumo (PT):
Abstract (EN):
In Portugal, product development in decorative ceramic industry is usually done using
traditional methodologies. In most of the cases use manual modelling, that is very slow, highly
inaccurate and demands skilled persons, which are difficult to find and too much time consuming to
train. These methodologies, highly misadjusted to the new marketing demands, tend to decrease
companies competitiveness.
This paper explains some of the work that has been done at INEGI, seeking the introduction of new
methodologies for product development of decorative ceramic components, using CAD 3D design
or engineering tools.
Traditionally in the Portuguese ceramic industry, only few products are developed using CAD 3D
tools. Considering that CAD 3D files are used since the beginning of the project, it is possible to
accelerate the optimization of the geometry, producing, by different rapid prototyping technologies,
solid models, like the ones obtained with SLA, SLS and LOM processes. However, more important
than this first stage, is the prototype production tools based on LOM rapid prototyping models,
which offer important time and money savings. On future mass production, the prototype files used
for RP tools generation, can also be used in a more accurate and high quality CNC tools production.
Language:
English
Type (Professor's evaluation):
Scientific
No. of pages:
5