Rapid Prototyping

Prototyping is the process of building a model, which may be used as a basis to build other similar single part models. Rapid Prototyping (RP) means building that model rapidly or fast. With advancing research going on all around the world, RP is distinguished from other manufacturing technologies, in the sense that it utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach to produce multi-part functional objects, which can be assembled in real time, quickly and efficiently.
Employing several technologies, RP is used to create objects in physical space directly from the generated Computer Aided Design (CAD) data.

The benefits of RP are firstly, it can create objects with complex geometrical shapes with an acceptable degree of accuracy; secondly, because it is fast it reduces the time-to-market gap effectively increasing revenue and market share; and thirdly, it requires very little real estate in terms of space and machines.

However there are some limitations also, which are mainly due to the concerns of inaccuracies like stair-stepping, finishes, range of materials, and cost. Stair-stepping is an inevitable result of layering that can only be minimized but cannot be eliminated. The finish depends on the materials, the process used, and generally, the materials have to undergo some form of curing to get the required finish.

The range of materials usually comprise of metals like stainless steel, titanium, etc., ceramics, and numerous plastics. The cost is a major limiting factor when compared to the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technology.

Nevertheless, the benefits outweigh the costs and RP created objects are regularly utilized by engineers, architects, surgeons, artists, and other interested individuals.