Functional testing of prototypes is a critical step in the development of many of today’s products. Results of functional tests allow for verification of proper performance before a product is introduced into the market. The advent of rapid prototyping technologies offers engineers the potential to dramatically reduce the prototype-test-verify cycle and get products to market quickly. However, dimensional and material property limitations of rapid prototypes often prevent them from being used for functional testing without the use of similitude methods to correlate measured prototype behavior with predicted product behavior. The traditional similarity method (TSM), which is based on the Buckingham Π theorem, requires that the dimensionless parameters of the prototype and product systems be identical in order to correlate their states and accurately predict product performance. The requirement of identical dimensionless parameters which is inherent in the TSM is often impossible to realize with the limited properties available from rapid prototyping technologies. In order to overcome this limitation, an empirical similarity method (ESM) has been developed. The general concept of the ESM is introduced along with an implementation procedure. Numerical and experimental examples are presented which demonstrate the feasibility and industrial impact of the ESM in the context of product design.
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January 2005
Technical Papers
An Advanced Method to Correlate Scale Models With Distorted Configurations
Uichung Cho, Senior Engineering Manager,,
Uichung Cho, Senior Engineering Manager,
LG Electronics, 7105 Teya Court, Austin, TX 78749
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Alan J. Dutson,
Alan J. Dutson
Brigham Young University–Idaho, 159 H. Austin Building Rexburg, ID 83460
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Kristin L. Wood, Professor,,
Kristin L. Wood, Professor,
University of Texas, ETC 4.146B Austin, TX 78712
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Richard H. Crawford, Professor,
Richard H. Crawford, Professor,
University of Texas, ETC 4.116, Austin TX 78712
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Uichung Cho, Senior Engineering Manager,
LG Electronics, 7105 Teya Court, Austin, TX 78749
Alan J. Dutson
Brigham Young University–Idaho, 159 H. Austin Building Rexburg, ID 83460
Kristin L. Wood, Professor,
University of Texas, ETC 4.146B Austin, TX 78712
Richard H. Crawford, Professor,
University of Texas, ETC 4.116, Austin TX 78712
Contributed by the Design Theory and Methodology Committee for publication in the JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL DESIGN. Manuscript received September 11, 2003; revised April 22, 2004. Associate Editor: L. C. Schmidt.
J. Mech. Des. Jan 2005, 127(1): 78-85 (8 pages)
Published Online: March 2, 2005
Article history
Received:
September 11, 2003
Revised:
April 22, 2004
Online:
March 2, 2005
Citation
Cho, U., Dutson, A. J., Wood, K. L., and Crawford, R. H. (March 2, 2005). "An Advanced Method to Correlate Scale Models With Distorted Configurations ." ASME. J. Mech. Des. January 2005; 127(1): 78–85. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1825044
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