The Proto-Lab Laboratory performs innovation, research and technology transfer activities to support SMEs in various sectors on national interest in the CAD/CAM technology sphere, with a special focus on CAD 3D modelling, rapid prototyping and reverse engineering, with the aim of raising the technological level and competitiveness of enterprises both from the point of view of product development and production. The aim of the Laboratory is to assess the methodologies to be adopted based on the particular sector and the actual impact of adopting CAD/CAM technologies within SMEs' productive processes and the methods for their correct integration with traditional ones. The flexibility of the technologies considered makes it possible to operate across the sectors driving the country's economy such as fashion accessories, Cultural Heritage, biomedical, mechanics and industrial design.
Example of CAD 3D modelling and prototyping application in the footwear sector
The use of 3D CAD design technologies is increasingly playing a key role in SMEs, owing both to the resulting advantages from the design point of view, and to the ability to interface with rapid prototyping systems to make even complex prototypes with no need for additional equipment. The introduction of these technologies in the company's production system essentially translates into a reduction of design times and costs, quality improvement and increased efficiency, as well as enhanced ability to follow market trends.
The application of the technologies pertaining to the Proto-Lab laboratory such as 3D modelling, rapid prototyping and reverse engineering cut across a variety of fields and is able to provide an important competitive advantage, especially for all those sectors where the shape of models and design are an important aspect. The business sectors of "Made in Italy" such as fashion accessories, footwear, leather ware, goldsmith and jewellery are the ones that may reap the biggest competitive benefits, also in view of the strong craftsmanship component in these sectors. O
Application of advanced 3D CAD modelling for the goldsmith sector
Designing gemstone pavè on double-curved surfaces and support creation
The Proto-Lab laboratory has developed advanced plug-ins resulting in a methodology for arranging 3D models (namely gemstones) on a double-curved surface in an independent manner from the configuration of the surface itself. The application may also be used in the footwear or leather ware sector to develop decorations in the product development stage and in production planning. Furthermore, in view of the increasingly widespread "consumer prototyping" systems, the application example of generative modelling is highlighted to automatically create supports for the rapid prototyping stage, with no need to model them using conventional 3D modelling tools The Proto-Lab laboratory has developed an optimised technology transfer pathway to apply 3D CAD modelling, rapid prototyping and reverse engineering technologies to SMEs and handicraft enterprises in the sector of fashion accessories, allowing them to rapidly integrate these technologies with traditional ones. More than 80% of involved companies currently adopts CAD/CAM technologies to design their models.
Company 121 Gioielli SPA, 14 companies in the goldsmith and jewellery sector in the province of Bologna
With regards to the fashion accessories, goldsmith and jewellery sector: - development of a patented design with the subdivision surface CAD technique - involvement of more than 50 companies of the sector in the use of CAD modelling, rapid prototyping and reverse engineering
Application of CAD 3D modelling and prototyping in the production of knee endoprosthesis