Rapid Prototype Studies and Applications in İTÜ-FAA

Rapid prototyping (RP) has decreased considerably product development times. The Objet Eden 500 Rapid Prototype Machine is used to produce wind tunnel models quickly and smoothly. It is also used for development studies. For example, various design studies were needed to reach an optimum form for antenna opening mechanism of a Cube Satellite (CubeSat) with strict restrictions. The RP system allowed rapid production of test subjects prior to the final actual metallic mechanism. RP is also used to produce complicated models such as vertical wind tunnel. The smooth surface requirement for an axial fan which is used for gathering data was accomplished with 16 micron layer capability of the RP.