Topic 3: Rapid Prototyping

What is the primary advantage of using rapid prototyping in product development?

• It eliminates the need for computer-aided design (CAD).

• It allows quick and cost-effective testing of physical prototypes.

• It replaces all forms of traditional manufacturing.

• It guarantees that a final product will always be successful.

Which of the following manufacturing techniques is considered additive?

• CNC milling

• Laser cutting

• Injection molding

• Fused deposition modeling (FDM)

A company is designing a complex mechanical part with intricate internal cavities. Which rapid prototyping technique is most suitable?

• CNC machining

• Fused deposition modeling (FDM)

• Laminated object manufacturing (LOM)

• Selective laser sintering (SLS)

What is the function of the Standard Tessellation Language (STL) file in rapid prototyping?

• It provides a physical mold for creating prototypes.

• It acts as a design blueprint for subtractive manufacturing.

• It converts CAD models into a format readable by 3D printers.

• It is a proprietary software used for CNC machining.

Which of the following best describes the process of Stereolithography (SLA)?

• It layers paper or plastic sheets and bonds them together with adhesive.

• It uses a laser to selectively harden a liquid resin layer by layer.

• It extrudes heated plastic filament to build up a 3D model.

• It fuses powdered material using a high-energy laser.

A design team needs to create a low-cost prototype for a simple, one-time functional test. Which rapid prototyping method would be most appropriate?

• Selective laser sintering (SLS)

• Fused deposition modeling (FDM)

• Injection molding

• Stereolithography (SLA)

What is a key environmental benefit of additive manufacturing compared to subtractive manufacturing?

• It always produces 100% biodegradable products.

• It requires less energy to operate machines.

• It generates significantly less material waste.

• It eliminates the need for post-processing.

In Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM), how are layers of material bonded together?

• By using a heated extrusion nozzle

• By a laser selectively fusing powder particles

• By cutting and gluing stacked layers of material

• By injecting liquid resin into a mold

What is a major limitation of fused deposition modeling (FDM) compared to stereolithography (SLA)?

• FDM cannot print in multiple colors.

• FDM has lower surface resolution and rougher finishes.

• FDM materials are always weaker than SLA materials.

• FDM is significantly slower than SLA.

A design team wants to manufacture a large batch of identical plastic parts with high precision. What method would be the best alternative to rapid prototyping for mass production?

• CNC milling

• Injection molding

• Laminated object manufacturing (LOM)

• Selective laser sintering (SLS)