Abstract
This invention relates to a new rapid prototyping and production system and process with the features of flexible material deposition along the tangential directions of the surface of a part to be made, thereby eliminating stair-shape surface due to uniform horizontal layer deposition; increasing the width of material deposition to increase build up rate; applying the principles of traditional forming/joining processes, such as casting, fusion welding, plastic extrusion and injection molding in the fabrication process so that various industrial materials can be processed; applying comparatively low cost heating sources, such as induction heating and arc-heating. Applications include rapid production of metal mold inserts for plastics injection molding and wax injection for investment casting.