Rapid prototyping is the name given to a host of related technologies that are used to fabricate physical objects directly from CAD data sources. These methods are generally similar to each other in that they add and bond materials in layerwise-fashion to form objects. This is directly the opposite of what classical methods such as milling or turning do. Objects are formed in those processes by mechanically removing material. Rapid prototyping is also known by the names of freeform fabrication (FFF), layered manufacturing, automated fabrication and other variants. Sometimes the names of the specific processes themselves are also used synonymously to denote the field as a whole. While additive fabrication seems like a new idea, it isn't. The underpinnings of the technology date back to at least the eighteenth century. Dr. Joseph Beaman has written a fascinating account of RP's early history. His paper includes information about early patents which should be of continuing interest to system developers today. The thrust for much of this seminal work was to develop an automated form of representational sculpture, a subject still much under discussion, but as yet economically unfulfilled. Rapid prototyping isn't necessarily very rapid and doesn't necessarily have to do with prototypes, either. Speed is relative: The processes can shave weeks to months off a design cycle, but still may require many hours to fabricate a single object. Prototypes for design evaluation are often made using these processes, but the technology also is beginning to address the direct production of final useful parts and assemblies, and injection molding and other types of tools.Rapid prototypingis the 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 and layered manufacturing. They offer advantages in many applications compared to classical subtractive fabrication methods such as milling or turning:
Objects can be formed with any geometric complexity or intricacy without the need for elaborate machine setup or final assembly;
Objects can be made from multiple materials, or as composites, or materials can even be varied in a controlled fashion at any location in an object;
PARTS FOR PROTOTYPE AND PRODUCTION - ON DEMAND
Additive fabrication systems reduce the construction of complex objects to a manageable, straightforward, and relatively fast process.
These properties have resulted in their wide use as a way to reduce time to market in manufacturing. Today's systems are heavily used by engineers to better understand and communicate their product designs as well as to make rapid tooling to manufacture those products. Surgeons, architects, artists and individuals from many other disciplines also routinely use the technology.
The names of specific processes themselves are also often used as synonyms for the entire field of rapid prototyping. Among these are stereolithography (SLA for stereolithography apparatus), selective laser sintering (SLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM), laminated object manufacturing (LOM), inkjet-based systems and three dimensional printing (3DP). Each of these technologies - and the many other rapid prototyping processes - has its singular strengths and weaknesses.
As the name “rapid prototypes” suggests, turnaround times are often much faster than using traditional methods for producing metal shapes. A finished part can be created within just a few hours depending upon the size of the desired 3D prototype.
ReplyDeleteRapid Prototyping Services decreases development time by allowing corrections to a product to be made early in the process. By giving engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and purchasing a look at the product early in the design process, mistakes can be corrected and changes can be made while they are still inexpensive.