Manufacturing Network: Rapid Prototyping

What is Rapid Prototyping?

Rapid prototyping (RP) refers to technologies that automatically create solid physical models from CAD data. This allows a designer to design a part in a CAD program (such as SolidWorks, Rhino 3D, or Pro/Engineer), and then have this part created from the data in the program through an automated process. Examples

Above, SolidWorks model and the finished part (which was created on a Stratasys Dimension modeling machine, from ABS plastic).

Purpose

Rapid Prototyping can serve a variety of purposes for a designer. Parts from a Rapid Prototyping machine can be used to create;

• injection mold inserts,
• investment casting patterns,
• hard tool production,
• and final production runs
  (if a small number of parts is required).

Unlike machining, Rapid Prototyping is an additive process. This means that the part is built from the bottom up, a single layer at a time. This allows parts to have very complex geometry while still maintaining a high degree of dimensional accuracy. These additive processes can build parts in a variety of materials, from Wax, Plastic, or even Metal.