engleski

Rapid prototyping technology in personalized chocolate products

Brief Introduction: This paper describes a practical and simple approach to designing personalized chocolate products using engineering software for 3D design and rapid prototyping techniques. Advanced technologies reduce production time, costs and even allow production of custom made products on demand. The feasibility of this approach was verified with development of a new personalized product, a box of chocolates that resembles the university crest. Materials and methods: Advanced engineering software for 3D design has been used to design and model a university crest. The model was manufactured on a rapid prototyping machine, i.e. ZCorp 450 3D printer. After cleaning and fixing with Z - Bond adhesive physical model was ready for mold manufacturing. RTV silicone was used to form the mold by casting around the 3D printed model. After silicone curing the mold was ready for chocolate production. Also the packaging for the personalized chocolate was designed in graphic design software CorelDraw. Results: In very short period of time a completely personalized box of chocolates has been designed and reproduced using advanced engineering technologies like 3D design and additive manufacturing. Conclusion: Custom made products in food industry today maybe should occur through a departure from conventional approaches and traditional materials and designs. Application of Rapid Prototyping technologies in new product development as compared to the conventional approach, depending on the size of production can provide savings in the amount of 50 – 90% of used resources. Some disadvantages like high costs and limited choice of materials will probably be overcomed in future so the rapid prototyping technology will meet all the requirements set by production in the chocolate manufacturing industry.

personalized chocolate production; 3D design; rapid prototyping

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