What is rapid prototyping?
Rapid prototyping, also known as solid freeform fabrication, is the process of quickly turning product designs into physical parts. Typically CAD (Computer Aided Design) data is processed and sent to a computer controlled prototyping machine where the part is produced a layer at a time. Rapid prototypes allow designers and engineers to hold physical examples of their concepts for early visualization, verification, iteration, and optimization. The samples may also serve as a communication tool to maximize results.
(simple) Rapid prototyping, is the automatic construction of physical objects using solid freeform fabrication. The first techniques for rapid prototyping became available in the 1980s and were used to produce models and prototype parts. Today, they are used for a much wider range of applications and are even used to manufacture production quality parts in relatively small numbers. Rapid prototyping takes virtual designs from computer aided design (CAD) or animation modeling software, transforms them into cross sections, still virtual, and then creates each cross section in physical space, one after the next until the model is finished.
    Next Sequential Page… RP Technology Comparison Chart… What is a 3D Printer?… 3D Printer Choices Below US$20,000… RP Glossary… RP Acronyms… Reverse Engineering Brief Tutorial… RP Terminology Unraveled… Rapid Tooling Brief Tutorial… Rapid Manufacturing… TOUGH APPLICATIONS EASY SOLUTIONS Want to save money without losing quality? Put more functions into fewer parts using Windforms uniquely superior properties. Higher performance LS materials decrease costs. Learn more… –> –> Rapid prototyping is the most common name given to a host of related technologies that are used to fabricate physical objects directly from CAD data sources. These methods are unique in that they add and bond materials in layers to form objects. Such systems are also known by the names additive fabrication, three dimensional printing, solid freeform fabrication (SFF) and layered manufacturing. Today’s additive technologies offer advantages in many applications compared to classical
