Intelligent rapid prototyping with fused deposition modelling

Explains that fused deposition modelling is a rapid prototyping technology by which physical objects are created directly from a CAD model using layer by layer deposition of extruded material. The technology offers the potential of producing parts accurately in a wide range of materials safely and quickly. In using this technology, the designer is often confronted with a host of conflicting options including achieving desired accuracy, optimizing building time and cost and fulfilling functionality requirements. Presents a methodology for resolving these problems through the development of an intelligent rapid prototyping syste integrating distributed blackboard technologies with different knowledge based systems and feature based design technologies.