Shape Deposition Manufacturing of Wearable Computers

Abstract

Shape Deposition Manufacturing (SDM) is a solid freefrom fabrication methodology which can fabricate heterogeneous structures, i.e., multi-material structures with embedded components. One application is to build-up electromechanical devices such as conformally shaped computer packages with embedded electronics. The goal is to be able to quickly design and manufacture, in small lots, personalized, rugged units for specialized applications. One example, which is described in this paper, is the manufacture of an underwater computer, the 'Frogman', which is built-up in layers of polyurethane.