• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.1414-1417
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• 2004

A thick-layered RP process, transfer-type variable lamination manufacturing using expandable polystyrene foam (VLMST) has been developed to have the advantageous characteristics such as high building speed, low cost for introduction and maintenance of VLM-ST apparatus, and little staircase surface irregularities of parts. However, VLM-ST has difficulty fabricating an axisymmetric shape and a large-sized freeform shape because of the limited sloping angles and small build size. The objective of this paper is to develop a multi-functional hotwire cutting system using EPS-foam (MHC). MHC employs a four-axis synchronized hotwire cutter with the structure of two XY movable heads and a turntable. In order to examine the applicability of the developed MHC apparatus, an axisymmetric shape, a polyhedral shape and a large-sized freeform shape were fabricated on the apparatus.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.194-202
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• 2005

The objective of this paper is to develop a multi-functional hotwire cutting system (MHC) using EPS-foam block or plate as the working material. Because the MHC apparatus employs a four-axis synchronized hotwire cutter with the structure of two XY movable heads and a turntable, it allows the easy fabrication of various 3D shapes, such as (1) an axisymmetric shape or a sweeping cross-sectioned pillar shape using the hot-strip in the form of sweeping surface and EPS foam block on the turntable, (2) a polyhedral complex shape using the hotwire and EPS foam block on the turntable, and (3) a ruled surface approximated freeform shape using the hotwire and EPS foam plate. In order to examine the applicability of the developed MHC apparatus, an axisymmetric shape, a polyhedral shape and a large-sized freeform shape were fabricated on the apparatus.