Effective Utilisation of SLA 3D Printing Technology for Prototyping of Interior Instrument Panel

Abstract

This paper presents a detail study of simulating different settings of SLA Printer like Layer Height, Laser Power and observes its effect on time required to manufacture prototype of Automotive Instrument Panel (dashboard). The objective of study is to reduce the prototype manufacturing time without affecting product quality (surface finish, dimensional accuracy, strength, flexibility, no warpage). Due to customers’ pressures and changing expectations about new automotive products every 6 months. The automotive product development cycle has tremendous pressure to reduce the product design and development time so that manufacturing can be done in much faster way. We have identified effective utilization of proper SLA, SLS 3D Printer, with right kind of material, speed, layer height, optimal laser power, and other settings to manufacture prototype of Automotive Instrument Panel (dashboard) in optimum cost, quality, and time. Today customers demand for new and latest products in terms of car design (interior and exterior). Automotive Instrument Panel needs to be attractive, flush, pleasant, lucrative, and stylish, ergonomically designed with infotainment systems and must follow safety norms of Air Bag Inflation. It is very important to rapidly manufacture prototype of newly designed Instrument Panel for atheistic as well as to get feel, touch of leather, fabric on PP, ABS with combination of different colours and textures.