RP gestützte Herstellung komplexer transparenter Hohlräume für die Strömungsanalyse

Abstract

Unlike the flow around technical products the interior flow is not understood very well. That’s mainly because of a lack of suitable transparent investigation tunnels that are needed to apply optical methods. The paper proposes a procedure to make precise complex hollow structures from a highly transparent material using masters from generative or Rapid Prototyping processes. Taking two examples from the medical field, the upper human airways and the bronchial tree, the entire process is shown. The 3D Printing build process is illustrated as well as the silicon casting process. Finally the measuring equipment is demonstrated and sample results are given. The process establishes the basis for the investigation and calculation of complex interior flow pattern and therefore contributes to a better understanding and consequently improvement of appropriate technical products.