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An Experimental And Analytical Study Of Ice Part Fabrication With Rapid Freeze Prototyping, Wei Zhang, Ming-Chuan Leu, Guanghua Sui, Zhiming Ji

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Rapid Freeze Prototyping (RFP) is a new solid freeform fabrication process that builds an ice part by rapidly freezing water layer by layer. In this paper, we will present our recent progress in the development of this novel process. An experimental system has been built for conducting the research. It consists of an XY-table and Z-stroke driven by micro-stepping motors and a water dispensing and deposition subsystem which incorporates a solenoid valve and a syringe pump placed inside a freezer. Simple heat transfer analysis is made to help select proper values of process parameters and predict part building failures. Example …