Shell Assisted Layer Manufacturing (SALM)

This paper presents the technology and some experiments results of a novel Rapid Prototyping/Tooling/Manufacture (RP/RT/RM) process, Shell Assisted Layer Manufacturing (SALM), which is based on layer manufacturing technology (LMT). The SALM process executes two essential steps to develop one layer of the part. Initially, it develops the outer shell (boundaries) of the particular layer of the part using the Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technique and then the shell is filled with UV (Ultraviolet) curable resin. The deposited resin layer is then cured using a UV light source. This procedure is repeated until the complete part is built. The process has the potential to give improved quality, productivity and process speed.