This initial use and assessment is one of the major value-added aspects of
rapid prototyping. The user is able to "touch and feel" the product, and, in turn determine whether it meets their needs or requires further development.
Rapid prototyping also leads to more creative design in process improvement.
Industrially are used many types of
rapid prototyping systems working on different physical principles:
"
Rapid prototyping has traditionally been low-volume, high-margin business, and FigurePrints is the inverse of that," Wohlers said.
Print3D, a global provider of custom
rapid prototyping services, provides CAD users an advanced set of software tools that integrate directly into their modeling environment.
Quickparts Material Advisor Adds New Dimension to
Rapid PrototypingIn fact, a smaller, sometimes desktop version of
rapid prototyping known as 3-D printing has become available, offering "printed" three-dimensional output in color.
Using the combination of 3D CAD design and 3D
rapid prototyping to make a test mould, production trials on a new product can take place within three weeks of an initial idea.
In order to assist customers with their design needs, and to help facilitate their time to market with new products, the company has added stereolithography and
rapid prototyping services to its list of programs.
Mr Baker said: ``Computer aided design software com- bin ed with
rapid prototyping has allowed the business to achieve a niche market as companies typically only conduct either the design or rapid prototype element which often frustrates the customer.
The move to transfer Amsys'
rapid prototyping operation to Fitstogether headquarters is part of the continuing integration process due to be complete by mid 2003.
This new
rapid prototyping process is designed to produce metal parts and mold inserts in a single machine setup, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming multiple machining setups and EDM electrodes.