Rapid prototyping is a method used for fast manufacturing of physical components or assemblies with the use of 3-dimensional design. Through rapid prototyping, engineers and designers can make good products. That is better than digital designs and physical prototypes with a fast and cost-effective workflow. If you read any rapid manufacturing guide, this technology stands out because of its fast and cost-effective workflow in terms of prototype creation.
What is Rapid Prototyping?
Prototyping is the development of a sample or prototype. The prototyping process can be viewed as a as a step-by-step process for finishing a product. The prototype is part of a finished project, such as a site application or a complicated software application. This process helps each early feedback of developers and especially end users by having a strong effect on communication during the development process.
Manufacturers can make high-precision rapid prototypes with the use of CAD data through an innovative rapid prototyping process. The prototypes are not only made to look like end products but also function like them.
In the rapid prototyping process, design and function can be configured quickly and easily, offering companies a larger range of benefits. With rapid production of prototypes, rapid prototyping technology comes with 3D printing applications, CNC machining, and some other manufacturing methods that make high-fidelity prototypes.
How does rapid prototyping work?
Rapid prototyping (RP) comes with different types of manufacturing processes, but most of them use layer-by-layer additive manufacturing. Other prototyping methods used are high-speed milling, casting, molding, and extrusion.
additive manufacturing, common rapid prototyping processes, and other rapid prototyping techniques used to make prototypes. These methods are
Milling processes:
- This method involves shaping block material into the required shape through milling, grinding, CNC machining, or turning.
Chipless shaping:
- This process comes with mold to make up from liquid or semi-liquid materials, through casting, pressure sintering, or molding.
Rapid Prototyping Tools
Software Tools
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CAD Software
CAD software make design of product to ready to manufacturing condition. Software is used to make, view, and simulate models for 2D printing or making using traditionally manufactured tools. Here are some outlined 3D CAD software used for rapid prototyping:
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AutoCAD
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Autodesk Inventor
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SolidWorks
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Simulation Software
It helps to test and analyze the design of the product before making a physical prototype. It helps developers find problems, optimizes operations, and reduces the different physical variations needed. Some famous software used for this work are SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, and Autodesk CFD.
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Slicing software for 3D printing
This type of software makes digital patterns in detail for 3D printers. It defines parameters such as 3D model layer thickness and supported structures. and infill designs. Cura is a common type of open-source slicing software due to its easy-to-use feature interface and different customization features. Famous types are Simplify3D and Slic3r.
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Computer-Aided Manufacturing Software
CAM software covers the CAD model in guidelines for CNC machines. The software defines tool paths, cutting speed, and related factors for subtractive manufacturing. The most commonly used CAM software for the manufacturing industry is Mastercam. It comes with a strong focus on CNC machining and provides features for making complicated prototypes. Fusion 360 and GibbsCAM software options are also often used.
Hardware Tools
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FDM printers
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SLA machines
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SLS machines
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CNC machines.
Rapid prototyping vs. prototyping
Prototyping is the main part of the product development process. Product designers make makeshift models with the use of basic tools, but making functional prototypes and production-quality components requires the same process as the result of completed products.
Conventional manufacturing processes such as injection molding require high-cost tooling and setup, which makes low-volume, custom prototypes prohibitively expensive.
While rapid prototyping helps make fast designs into real products, Through the use of rapid prototyping, engineers can make prototypes directly from digital models made on CAD software faster than older techniques.
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