Rapid Prototyping Types
Ordinarily when you resort to any type of prototyping, your aim is to find out the perfect model for your upcoming products. The prototyping process gives you a manufacturing lead to carry on your production in the right manner. There are however different types of prototyping processes.
Providers of prototypes often use the solid freeform fabrication methods. Some of them also use double materials instead of one during the construction phases. The first one is the part material while the second one is the support material. The role played by the support material is to provide strength and support for overhanging features. Once the structure is completed and bits put in place, the support material is removed using heat. Sometimes the support material is also dissolved using some type of solvents or water.
Others deploy the traditional method of injection molding. The method is less expensive in comparison. Especially those who are manufacturing polymer products and that too in large quantities, may find the method pretty useful. However, if you are producing products in small quantities, as in case of the prototypes, additive fabrication could be faster as well as less expensive.
The latest trend in the market is the rapid manufacturing. This is a lead forward from the process of rapid prototyping. It is just like Upload your STL file today and receive your part tomorrow. After all every technology has undergone some type of improvement or other through evolutionary processes and rapid prototyping is no exception to this common rule.
Explore posts in the same categories: Industry and Manufacturing