Rapid prototyping is a process in which a physical part is fabricated, at a fast pace, using 3D computer aided design (CAD), and is usually done during the creation of a model, part or the assembly with the aid of additive manufacturing, also referred to as 3D printing.
When people new to manufacturing ask, what is rapid prototyping, they need to understand the difference between a high-fidelity prototype and a low fidelity prototype. When the design sees a close match with the proposed finished product you are dealing with a high fidelity prototype, and when there are notated differences between the final product and the prototype, you are dealing with low fidelity.
Is Rapid Prototyping a Popular Service in Manufacturing?
The term “rapid prototyping” is a relatively new one defining a process of creating prototypes at a faster pace compared to alternative solutions. Rapid prototyping is evolving quickly, as products must meet the functional and visual standards in an engineered product design, and when the process is accelerated, extra steps and considerations must be considered to ensure the process is done correctly with no errors. Manufacturing companies like Laszeray complete complex rapid prototyping projects while taking these main points into account:
- Cost
- Complexity
- Purpose
- Quantity
- Viz
- Quality
Remember that a prototype serves as a preliminary version of the end-product that plays a critical role in critiquing the design while evaluating the working principle and technology in the context of collecting product specs for consideration with actual working systems. Knowing the signs of a company offering the best product design services will enable leadership teams to outsource to the right team to perform rapid prototyping services.
What Kind of Machine Tooling Services are Used in Rapid Prototyping?
In many cases, machining and shaping medals is required in rapid prototyping, and this is when manufacturing companies use machine tooling. When machine tooling is initiated, metals and rigid materials are grinded, cut, bored, or sheared to correct any deformations. The specific type of machine tooling to be used will depend on several factors that include part quantities, part complexity, and the overall quality of the prototype. More than likely, one of these tooling categories will be utilized:
- Jigs
- Fixtures
- Cutting equipment
- Patterns
- Dies
- Gauges
- Molds
Product lifecycle, pricing, output, and quality are all directly impacted by machine tooling, so this is a critical part of rapid prototyping. If the tool does not perform correctly, the product won’t be manufactured properly, and this can cost brands an enormous amount of time and money, while slowing its ability to hit the market.
Are 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping the Same Thing?
To be direct, the answer is “No”. In our contemporary arena of manufacturing, “additive manufacturing” and “3D printing” are terms frequently tossed around when rapid prototyping is being conducted. This is primarily since 3D printing took center stage when it came to making prototypes in a speedy manner. 3D printing is a manufacturing process, while prototyping is the end product or result; 3D printing as a solo entity or in conjunction with other processes can be utilized to garner rapid prototyping.
What are the Advantages of Rapid Prototyping?
Brands partner with product development companies that specialize in rapid prototyping, as this service has several benefits. First, rapid prototyping reduces the overall cost of product development. In addition, rapid prototyping minimizes the time it takes to develop a product, and the time it takes to complete a design. Brands also see value in investing in rapid prototyping because it enables functional testing, reduces risk, improves, and increases the user’s involvement, and it enables engineers to evaluate its ergonomics along with a plethora of other human factors. Rapid prototyping simply improves a product, across the board.
Call Laszeray for the Best Rapid Prototyping Service in the Industry
For more than two decades, Laszeray has been providing rapid prototyping services for product development projects across a wide range of industries. Call us today, and we can go over your plans and the details that revolve around your project and show you how our rapid prototyping services can improve your product, get it to market in a speedy manner, and help you get ahead of your competition.