What is Rapid Prototyping?

Pain Points
A favorite of consultants used to describe places where an organization is hurting due to poor operating structure, technology or inefficiencies.

Paper Lamination Technology (PLT)
A variant on laminated object manufacturing RP technology from Kira Corp. of Japan. pattern An object or part which possesses the mechanical geometry of a final object or part, but which may not possess the desired mechanical, thermal or other attributes of the final parts. Patterns are used in secondary processes to form tools to make parts for end-uses.

Parametric
An object in a CAD model that can be modified simply by changing the parameters used to create it (e.g., dimensions, design constraints).

PC
Polycarbonate (an amorphous thermoplastic)

PE
Polyethylene (a semicrystalline thermoplastic)

PEEK
Polyether etherketone (a semicrystalline thermoplastic) permeability (1) The passage or diffusion of a vapor, liquid, or solid through a barrier without physically or chemically affecting it. (2) The rate of such passage.

PES
Polyether sulfone (an amorphous thermoplastic)

Petrochemistry
Collective term for industrial, chemical, or physiochemical conversions of petroleum as the basic raw material.

Phenolic Resin
A synthetic resin produced by the condensation of phenol with formaldehyde in base.Phenolic resins form the basis of a family of thermosetting molding materials, laminated sheet, and stoving varnishes. They are also used as impregnating agents and as components of paints, varnishes, lacquers, and adhesives.

Phishing
Phishing is a term used to describe fraudulent e-mail designed to steal your identity. These imposter e-mails may appear to come from reputable companies, but are actually from thieves masquerading as legitimate businesses. The e-mail will ask you to disclose, on a phony Web site or in a phony dialog box, personal information, such as your account data or Social Security number. The thieves then steal that personal information to harm your good name. Depending on the information you may have provided, they can access your accounts, open new ones, steal your funds and even commit crimes-all in your name

Photopolymer
Material systems which change from a liquid to a solid state upon application of light (actinic) radiation. Light sources can be a laser or lamp, but related radiation-curable materials may be made solid by application of microwave or heat-based radiation sources. photopolymers are typically complex mixtures of compounds rather than consisting of a single component. precision See absolute accuracy.

Phthalate Esters
A group of plasticizers produced by the direct action of alcohol on phthalic anhydride. They are the most widely used of all plasticizers, and are generally characterized by moderate cost, good stability, and good all-around properties.

Physical Property
Property that can be observed or measured without changing the identity of a sample of matter.

Plastic (adj)
Pliable and capable of being shaped by pressure. "Plastic" is incorrectly used as the generic work for the industry and its products. plasticate (plastify) Describes the conversion of a plastic material to a thermoplastic condition by the introduction of heat.

Plasticity
The quality of being able to be shaped by plastic flow.

Plasticizer
Chemical agent that bring about softening of plastics.Plasticizing means, in a physical sense, decreasing the glass transition temperature (Tg) of a polymeric material, generally to a point below room temperature so that plastics that are initially hard, rigid, and brittle become soft, flexible, and impact resistant.

Plastics
A group of synthetic polymeric materials, such as resins, that can be used in place of other materials such as glass, wood, and metal.

PMMA
Polymethyl methacrylate (an amorphous thermoplastic)

Pockets of Resistance
Another borrowed military term that describes a person or group that attempts to stall, block or kill a project.

Point Cloud
The collection of points in 3D space resulting from scanning an object; represents the surface of the object.

Polar Molecule
Molecule having regions of positive and negative charge.

Polarity (of plastics)
Formation of electrical charge distributions within the macromolecules produces various polarities.

Polyaddition (step addition)
Chemical reaction in which the reactive groups or ends of monomers react with one another to form polymers, involving the migration of hydrogen atoms (transposition).

Polycondensation (step polymerization)
Similar to polyaddition, except that water or another low-molecular substance is split off in the reaction; involves no migration of atoms or atomic groups, however.

Polyethylene
A thermoplastic material composed solely of ethylene. It is normally a translucent, tough, waxy solid which is unaffected by water and by a large range of chemicals.

Polyethylene (HDPE)
High density polyethylene polymer used in milk, juice, and water containers because it provides a barrier preventing other substances from entering; also has good chemical resistance and can be used for household cleaners.

Polyethylene (LDPE)
Low density polyethylene polymer that is strong, tough, and flexible; used in bags, stretch films, and coatings.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
A clear tough polymer with very good gas and moisture barrier properties; used in soft drink bottles because carbon dioxide cannot pass through it.

Polygonal Model
A model of an object that is created by building triangles from the points in a point cloud; a faceted model of an object.

Polyimide resins
Aromatic polyimides made by reacting pyromellitic dianhydride with aromatic diamines. Characterized by high resistance to thermal stress. Applications include components for internal combustion engines.

Polymer
A high molecular-weight organic compound, natural or synthetic, whose structure can usually be represented by a repeated small unit, the MER; or a substance whose large molecules are composed of many identical repeating units called monomers or MERS. For example, polyethylene, rubber, cellulose. Synthetic polymers are formed by addition or condensation polymerization of monomers. Some polymers are elastomers, some plastics and some are fibers.

Polymer Scientists
Scientists professionally engaged in developing, modifying, studying, and synthesizing polymers and determining various applications for them.

Polymerization
A chemical reaction in which the molecular weight of the molecule formed is a multiple of that of the original substances. When two or more monomers are involved, the process is called copolymerization or heteropolymerization. See also degree of polymerization, and polymer.

Polymers
Long molecular chains (chain molecules) formed from monomers occurring as repetitive "building blocks" or monomer units in these chains ("polymer" is derived from the Greek word for "many parts").

Polymethyl Methacrylate
A thermoplastic polymer synthesized from methyl methacrylate. It is a transparent solid with exceptional optical properties and good resistance to water. It is obtainable in the form of sheets, granules, solutions, and emulsions. It is extensively used for aircraft domes, lighting fixtures, decorative articles, etc.; it is also used in optical instruments and surgical appliances.

Polypropylene (PP)
A tough, lightweight, rigid plastic made by the polymerization of high-purity propylene gas in the presence of an organometallic catalyst at relatively low pressures and temperatures. A polymer having high tensile strength and a high melting point; used in making threaded objects such as bottle caps and containers intended to hold hot substances.

Poly Pro
PolyPro a commonly used term for Polypropylene (PP). Sometimes used as Poly-Pro.

Polystyrene
A water-white thermoplastic produced by the polymerization of styrene (vinyl benzene). The electrical insulating properties of polystyrene are outstandingly good and the material is relatively unaffected by moisture.

Polystyrene (PS)
A hard colorless clear polymer in its crystalline form; has outstanding insulating properties when foamed or expanded; used for egg cartons, coffee cups, and packaging for sensitive products.

Polyurethane Resins
A family of resins produced by reacting diisocyanates in excess with glycols to form polymers having free isocyanate groups. These groups, under the influence of hear or certain catalysts, will react with each other, or with water, glycols, etc., to form a thermoset.

Polyvinyl Acetate
A thermoplastic material composed of polymers of vinyl acetate in the form of a colorless solid. It is obtainable in the form of granules, solutions, lattices, and pastes, and is used extensively in adhesives, for paper and fabric coatings, and in bases for inks and lacquers.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
A thermoplastic polymer synthesized from vinyl chloride; a colorless solid with outstanding resistance to water, alcohols, and concentrated acids and alkalies. It is obtainable in the form of granules, solutions, and pastes. Compounded with plasticizers it yields a flexible material (plastisol) superior to rubber in aging properties. Widely used for cable and wire coverings and in making protective garments.

Polyvinyl Chloride Acetate
A thermoplastic copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate; a colorless solid with good resistance to water, concentrated acids, and alkalies. It is obtainable in the form of granules, solutions, and emulsions. Widely used in protective garments and for cable and wire coverings. Compounded with plasticizers it yields a flexible material superior to rubber in aging properties.

POM
Polyoxymethylene (a semicrystalline thermoplastic), also known as polyacetal.

Portable CMM
A 6- or 7-axis portable articulating CMM arm used for 3D measurement, digitizing, and laser scanning.

Pre-Planned Product Improvement (P31)
A traditional acquisition strategy that provides for adding improved capability to a mature system. ~ Taken from a memorandum f understanding written by US Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, E.C. Aldridge, Jr. in 2002.

Prepregs
Molding compounds consisting of flat or linear glass reinforcements preimpregnated with thermosetting resin compounds; molding compounds prepared in this way are mostly glass fiber mats or glass filament cloths processed to form molded parts or semifinished products by hot-press molding.

ProMetal
1)An application of MIT's Three Dimensional Printing Process to the fabrication of injection molds. Steel powder layers are bonded by photopolymer selectively applied by a wide area inkjet head. tics and accuracy is lower than that available from stereolithography.

2) ProMetal is a division of Ex One corporation headquartered in Irwin, Pennsylvania USA. Ex One corporation, known for innovative technologies, incorporates the ProMetal process to their line of products and services providing an advanced manufacturing solution. See also [R2 and RCT].

Propylene
Monomer from which polypropylene is made.

Proteins
Polymers made from amino acids.

ProtoCast
A DSM Somos resin targeted for the investment casting industry, ProtoCast - AF is a completely antimony-free version of Somos’ top selling WaterShed 11120 resin. The material boasts extremely low ash content and is targeted for use with both fused silica and alumina refractory shell systems. Like ProtoGen(tm) O-XT, ProtoCast - AF is also formulated with Somos Oxetane Advantage chemistry, for high dimensional stability and green strength.

Protofunctional
A DSM Somos registered trademarked for a series of stereolithography resins. For more information about material properties, click here.

ProtoGen O-XT
Based on Somos’ oxetane chemistry (the Oxetane Advantage), ProtoGen O-XT Clear & White resins offer high dimensional stability via low water absorption and high green strength. Other advantages of these new multipurpose materials include faster processing speeds and higher accuracy and heat deflection temperatures (HDT of 70°C with UV-only post-treatment and >100°C with thermal post-treatment). Somos first harnessed oxetane chemistry more than four years ago in order to move ahead of traditional SL acrylate and epoxy chemistries in producing the standard-setting dimensional stability of its ABS-like WaterShed(tm) 11120 and Somos(R) White 14120 resins. Today, Somos’ next generation of oxetane SL materials is designed to further expand the performance parameters of multipurpose SL resins.

PS
Polystyrene

PVC
Polyvinyl chloride (an amorphous thermoplastic)

Pyrolysis
Thermal decomposition of chemical compounds.