POSSIBILITY OF MANUFACTURING OF RACE POLYURETHANE BUSHINGS USING RAPID PROTOTYPING AND PROTOTYPE MOLDS

This contribution deals about possibility of manufacturing using rapid prototyping and prototype silicone forms. Rapid prototyping process allows to manufacture prototype parts from various materials, what allows to create prototype forms for prototype molds from thermoplastic and thermoset material. Aim of this research was to obtain new knowledge of preparing prototype parts using rapid prototyping and prototype silicone molds. The parts – bushings of lower control arm and rear camber arm of trailing arm suspension were designed due the dimensions of arms and simulated to maximum calculated stress. After positive result, bushing prototypes were manufactured on Rapid Prototyping machine and stainless steel inserts and wraps on CNC lathe. Prototype form was manufactured from 2-part silicone using prototype inserts. Whole bushings were than tested on race track on track-day vehicle EK9, group Street Modified.