Mechanism Design using Rapid Prototyping

In this paper Rapid Prototyping techniques have been used to fabricate mechanisms and evaluate their design faster. Prototypes of revolute, prismatic and spherical joints have been built using the Stereolithography machine SLA 190 of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Rutgers University. In addition, a three legged six degree of freedom rapid prototype of a parallel manipulator has been fabricated. These rapidly prototyped mechanisms and joints have been fabricated in one step, without requiring assembly while they maintained their desired mobility. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first time that multi-joint, multi-degree-of-freedom mechanisms have been rapidly prototyped without requiring any assembly after their fabrication.