The metal casting industry in undergoing significant changes and it is necessary for manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering and design students to recognize these changes. Rapid manufacturing has the potential to revolutionize the metal casting industry by greatly reducing the tooling requirements necessary to produce components. The lead times to produce complex components are being reduced from months to days. A large reduction in the traditional labor requirements for molders,

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... makers, patternmakers, and toolmakers will occur. The numerous advantages of the process are discussed and the major limitations are also presented. The "Third Wave" has arrived in the metal casting industry.