Rapid Prototyping Practical Applications

Rapid Prototyping (RP) technologies, also known as Desktop Manufacturing (DM), Layer Manufacturing Technologies (LMT), or Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF), has taken the industrial segment by storm with its revolutionary and remarkable production techniques, having applications in several industries, namely, aerospace, biomedical, architecture, education, automotive, appliances, jewelry, consumer electronics, packaging and printing industries.

Rapid Prototyping applications can be broadly grouped into three heads, namely, applications in design; applications in engineering, analysis and planning; and applications in manufacturing and tooling.

The applications in design concern with CAD-model verification with respect to the design specification, the ability to visualize objects, as a physical proof of the mental concept, and as a marketing and presentation model.

The applications in engineering, analysis and planning concern with form and fit models, flow analysis, analysis of stress distribution, pre-series parts, diagnostic and pre-surgical operation planning, and design and fabrication of custom prostheses and implants.

The applications in manufacturing and tooling concern with tooling mold parts (direct soft tools, indirect soft tools, direct hard tools, indirect hard tools); casting (sand-casting, investment casting, evaporative pattern casting, die casting); Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) electrodes; and master models.

The purposes of prototyping closely relate to the areas of applications, and thus, the materials used are of importance.
Unfortunately, the range of materials is small at the present stage but with advancing research and development, with the increase in the range of materials, the increase in the areas of Rapid Prototyping applications shall also witness an upward spiral.