Development of a cost estimation model for sla prototyping based on volumetric information

Abstract

The Stereo lithography process is a well-known process in South Africa and around the world. Quotations for designers and inventors are issued daily for the growing of a prototype of his/her invention or design. Not all the inventors and designers have access io CAD software to transform their design or invention into a solid model. Because of this they cannot submit an .STL file to a Rapid Prototyping service bureau for a quotation. They can only submit a 2D-sketch to the Rapid Prototyping service bureau for a quotation. This study presents a method of calculating build time estimations within a limit of 10% of the actual build time of a prototype. This is achieved by using basic volumetric shapes, such as cylinders and cones, added together to represent the model in the 2Dsketch. By using this information the build time of the product is then calculated with the aid of models created in TK Solver.