RE: [rp-ml] milling=am?

From: Brent Stucker <brent.stucker_at_usu.edu>
Date: Tue Jan 12 2010 - 18:13:02 EET

Lino,

 

I think the beauty of using the term Additive Manufacturing is that it
unambiguously distinguishes those technologies which add material to make a
part from those which subtract material to make a part. The term Rapid
Prototyping can be used for both additive and subtractive (though is most
commonly understood as additive) and thus encompasses different things. In
addition, I think the terms "Direct Digital Manufacturing" and "Rapid
Manufacturing" are also not limited to additive. Thus, all of these terms
have their place and are useful; but most of the discussion on this list (as
well as in our industry) is focused on additive manufacturing. Thus the use
of AM as the descriptor brings the greatest clarity.

 

As far as whether there is a hierarchy of terminology, within the standards
efforts of the ASTM International F42 Committee on Additive Manufacturing
Technologies, additive manufacturing is used as a generic term for all
"additive" processes, whereas "rapid prototyping" is used within the context
of additive processes to describe a subset of the applications of AM to uses
for Form, Fit or Functional testing. The ASTM F42 committee is not
interested in limiting the use of the term "rapid prototyping" to just
additive processes, but since the context these standards are focused on
additive processes, the use of RP in the F42 effort refer to additive
processes that are used for the 3F's. This may not be a perfect solution,
but I do think it helps us begin to bring clarity.

 

Just my 2 cents worth. Hope this helps.

 

Brent

 

_____________________________________________

Dr. Brent Stucker

brent.stucker@usu.edu

 

From: owner-rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi [mailto:owner-rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi] On Behalf
Of The Creature Company
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 7:02 AM
To: rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi
Subject: [rp-ml] milling=am?

 

I believe we had the discussion before but I have searched the archives and
haven't seems to locate the thread.

 

In the move to rename the technology we use from RP to AM how do we classify
CNC and Milling? CNC and milling are to be subtractive in nature. They
obviously do not fit into the realm of additive manufacturing however they
are a rapid technology.

 

That makes we wonder if the terms RP and AM are not synonymous but set up as
a hierarchy, whereas rapid prototyping includes additive and subtractive
manufacturing. Am I correct in saying that?

 

I have been a bit flustered since I felt the push was not to use the term RP
any more since it's "not cool". Thoughts?

 

Lino
Received on Tue Jan 12 18:16:58 2010

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