Abstract :
Rapid Prototyping
(RP) can be defined as a group of techniques used to quickly fabricate a scale
model of a part or assembly using three-dimensional computer aided design (CAD)
data. What is commonly considered to be the first RP technique, Stereolithography,
was developed by 3D Systems of Valencia, CA, USA. The company was founded in
1986, and since then, a number of different RP techniques have become available.
Rapid Prototyping
has also been referred to as solid free-form manufacturing, computer automated
manufacturing, and layered manufacturing. RP has obvious use as a vehicle for
visualization. In addition, RP models can be used for testing, such as when an airfoil
shape is put into a wind tunnel. RP models can be used to create male models
for tooling, such as silicone rubber molds and investment casts. In some cases,
the RP part can be the final part, but typically the RP material is not strong or
accurate enough. When the RP material is suitable, highly convoluted shapes (including
parts nested within parts) can be produced because of the nature of RP.
What is Rapid
Prototyping?
Rapid Prototyping
is the "process of quickly building and evaluating a series of prototypes"
early and often throughout the design process. Prototypes are usually
incomplete examples of what a final product may look like. Each time a prototype
is used, a formative evaluation gathers information for the next, revised prototype.
This cycle continues to refine the product until the final needs and objectives
are met. The following diagram demonstrates the non-linear nature of Rapid Prototyping.
Why Rapid Prototyping?
The reasons
of Rapid Prototyping are
To
increase effective communication.
To decrease
development time.
To decrease
costly mistakes.
To
minimize sustaining engineering changes.
To
extend product lifetime by adding necessary features and eliminating redundant
features early in the design.
Rapid Prototyping
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. The trends in manufacturing
industries continue to emphasize the following:
• Increasing
number of variants of products.
• Increasing
product complexity.
• Decreasing
product lifetime before obsolescence.
• Decreasing
delivery time.
Rapid Prototyping
improves product development by enabling better communication in a concurrent engineering
environment.
How does Rapid
Prototyping Work?
Rapid Prototyping,
also known as 3D printing, is an additive manufacturing technology. The process
begins with taking a virtual design from modeling or computer aided design (CAD)
software. The 3D printing machine reads the data from the CAD drawing and lays
down successive layers of liquid, powder, or sheet material — building up the physical
model from a series of cross sections. These layers, which correspond to the virtual
cross section from the CAD model, are automatically joined together to create
the final shape.
Rapid Prototyping
uses a standard data interface, implemented as the STL file format, to translate
from the CAD software to the 3D prototyping machine. The STL file approximates
the shape of a part or assembly using triangular facets.
Typically,
Rapid Prototyping systems can produce 3D models within a few hours. Yet, this can
vary widely, depending on the type of machine being used and the size and number
of models being produced.
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