subject: Rapid Prototyping Applications in the 21st Century [print this page] Rapid Prototyping Applications in the 21st Century
Rapid prototyping applications have exploded in the 21st century. This impressive technology also known as 3D printing applications has taken product creation to a new level. It is now possible to create a prototype and the ability to create the design in a timely fashion. Models are created using rapid prototyping applications with the use of inkjet technology. This technology is powerful because of the ability to create something new from scratch. 3D printing is a type of additive manufacturing technology which is the process of fusing materials to make things from 3D model data, typically layer upon layer, contrasting from subtractive manufacturing methodologies. Rapid prototyping applications until recently were too expensive for most businesses. Nowadays, it's becoming less expensive, more accessible and easier to use than ever before.
Reasons to Choose Rapid Prototyping Applications
Rapid prototyping applications provide noticeable quality and details to models.
While wax and other forms can be used to create models, they aren't reliable at pinpointing mistakes in prototypes.
Using 3D printing, the sections of your model should align themselves together. If they don't fit together, you've made a mistake that would have cost a lot of money if you were using wax or handmade models to fix.
Rapid prototyping applications enable you to get the job done in a timely manner and your design can get immediate feedback. Instead of taking a few weeks or month to finish a model, 3D printing can save your company a lot of time and money.
Outsourced models will cost much than using in-house made 3D models created by 3D printing.
3D printing is also easy to use and quicker than many regular printers. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to use 3D printing and no specialized training is necessary to get started with 3D printing.
All you need is a computer and software to use rapid prototyping applications. 3D printing allows you to make models faster and with more details.
How Do Rapid Prototyping Applications Work?
Rapid prototyping applications or 3D printing applications create a solid physical structure of a product instead of a 2D layout. The prototypes can be used in different ways. The machine is fed an image by special graphics applications and the printer will show the image. In addition, the printer will use a fine powder such as cornstarch, plaster or resin to create a 3D model that built layer by layer through cross-sections. Stereolithography is one of the most common rapid prototyping methods. It makes use of a computer controlled UV laser to solidify a photo curable liquid resin to create 3D models from CAD designs.
