What is Rapid Prototyping?
Rapid prototyping (RP) is referred to as a group of specialised technologies that are used to make quick minimum viable product models, assemblies using three-dimensional CAD data, or physical parts. The technology that is implemented to create these prototypes is referred to as additive manufacturing or, interchangeably, 3D printing. The process of prototyping enables companies to swiftly transform their ideas into hyper-realistic models that function exactly as a final product would. This is an integral part of a development process as it aids companies in testing out various ideas as well as reviewing and improving designs as they go, refining and validating ideas efficiently. When implementing the rapid prototyping process, products can be sent down the sales funnel much faster and be presented to stakeholders and investors without hesitation.
The future of RP is certain growth and implementation into all niches and businesses, this process already shows high growth rates over 25% since only 5 years ago, and growing exponentially. This article will expand on the versatility of rapid prototyping, its types, applications, and advantages of application methods in 3D printing.
3D Printing Vs.Rapid Prototyping
Rapid prototyping and 3D printing often get confused for being the same processes, this is untrue, while 3D printing is a mere method of additive manufacturing, RP is the application of this technology. Rapid prototyping can be implemented with any high-quality 3D printer, the Ultimaker S5 pro being a favored option.
3D Printing
3D printing is a method of additive manufacturing, it converts computer files into a physical product by successively adding layers of material. This is the same method that is commonly used in design & technology lessons in schools, a 3D printer can print (almost) anything that comes to mind. There are numerous uses for 3D printing including injection molding, blow molding, and end-use parts (tangible goods sold as products).
Rapid Prototyping
RP is a technique used to quickly create a model of a part or assembly using computer-aided design data (CAD). This construction is usually done using additive manufacturing technologies. The traditional prototyping process starts with the creation of geometric data, either as a 3D workstation or 2D slices using a scanning device. For rapid prototyping, this data has to represent a valid geometric model, especially one whose boundary surfaces enclose a finite volume, contain no roles, and do not fold back on themselves. In layman’s terms, the object must have an ‘inside’.
How to apply rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping is implemented for surgery planning, diagnosis, training, and custom implant design and manufacture, and many more niches. 3D computer-aided design and manufacturing are also used for the design and development of new medical products as they shorten the time to market and help further in research. Below are the three stages of 3D printing and prototyping.
Works-Like Prototypes
During the early stages of technical development, before launching a campaign for funding or publicity, you will probably be able to develop a piece of technology that works to accomplish your vision. This is a works-like prototype. It does the job, but it may not look exactly (or at all) as the final product. It may be nothing more than a development board, a power source, or a wiring mess.
Looks-Like Prototypes
After the development of the works-like prototype, many engineers will go on to create a looks-like prototype in which they will work on getting their piece of technology to look just the way they want and compromise functionality along the way, this way, engineers can gain feedback on the appearance of the product, without testing how it works. Both the works-like and looks-like prototypes are called representational prototypes and are always constructed pre-campaign.
Engineering Prototypes
The engineering prototype is often referred to as a ‘breadboard’ and is used in the early development stage to prove or alter concepts and compare performance. Engineering prototypes are a minimum viable version of the final product that is designed for manufacturing. These are high-fidelity prototypes that look like and function as the final product would. These prototypes should then undergo thorough testing to see how the product will cope with use. It is to be expected that engineers will face some anomalies and have to implement changes.
Prototyping Advantages
The Rapid prototyping methodology has numerous advantages, the most important one being helping eliminate misunderstandings and miscommunications during the development process. It can help improve the quality of requirements and specifications provided to customers. Have a look through the main advantages of rapid prototyping explained in detail below.
Cost & Time Effective
Rapid prototyping is a highly cost & time-effective way to create minimum viable products. 3D printers provide rapid turnaround times for creating physical prototypes, saving time and money during the development process. Additionally, RP (rapid prototyping) produces significantly less material waste, thus making the process cost-effective.
Fast concept implementation
Rapid prototyping enables companies, designers, or engineers to rapidly implement realistic proofs of concepts directly from CAD allowing for low-risk testing of concepts. Presenting a physical product rather than a concept to stakeholders, investors, or customers can make it much easier to get feedback and validation.
Avoid design flaws
Product development usually involves many different prototypes and tests before the final product is decided on. RP allows you to quickly test prototypes that not only look like the final product but also function as the final product would. This enables you to uncover any potential design flaws or mistakes in the early part of the development process and make changes or improvements before deciding on the final product. The cost of fixing design flaws and changing the design will be significantly less the earlier it is detected in the design and manufacturing process so this can help to avoid costly mistakes. Additive-X has previously written about 3D printing and rapid prototyping with BOSEbuild and Ultimaker, covering the many advantages of printing products within just a few hours.
Make on-the-go changes
The design process should involve getting your ideas, testing them out, and making improvements as quickly as possible before deciding on the final product. With rapid prototyping, designers and engineers can implement changes quickly which enables you to refine and validate ideas quickly. A typical process would be to create the design, create a prototype directly from CAD, thoroughly conduct in-house and field testing and receive feedback, create frequent improvements or tweaks, and repeat.
Rapid Prototyping: Tools & Methods
Additive Manufacturing
The technology most commonly used to create rapid prototypes is additive manufacturing. Additive manufacturing uses CAD or 3D object scanners to create physical objects with precise geometric shapes. Unlike traditional manufacturing, this process involves creating the physical by successively adding material layer by layer. The key benefits of using additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping are that it doesn’t require expensive tooling, it provides freedom and it can produce parts with mechanical properties that closely match the parts produced with traditional manufacturing processes.
Tools Comparison
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a method of 3D printing that involves building products by melting and extruding thermoplastic filament and adding this material layer by layer. FDM is commonly used at a consumer level and is often used for basic or simple prototypes. It does, however, have the lowest resolution and accuracy so is not the best choice for complex, intricate designs. FDM works with standard thermoplastics.
Stereolithography (SLA) is a 3D printing technology that converts liquid resin into hard plastic using a laser. SLA has a high resolution and accuracy as well as a smooth surface so this is commonly used to create high-fidelity looks-like prototypes and functional works-like prototypes. SLA works with a variety of resins.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) fuses polymer powder particles with a laser. SLS technology produces strong parts and is commonly used for works-like prototypes, engineering prototypes, and industrial applications. SLS works with engineering thermoplastics and is used for metal and plastic prototyping.
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) uses a metal powder that’s melted with a laser and builds products by layering this. SLM produces strong, complex parts and is most commonly used in aerospace, automotive, and defense industries. SLM works with aluminium, titanium, stainless steel, and cobalt chrome alloys.
The Future of Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing (AM) systems are becoming more popular in the industry. There have been several scientific advances in additive manufacturing which has led to an increased uptake in AM. A key trend in AM is combining traditional manufacturing methods with additive methods. Additive methods can be cost-effective and adaptable to be used in different applications. Another key trend is that there will likely be new materials that will open up opportunities for a wider range of applications. Finally, another trend for AM is the production of final products. AM is commonly used for prototyping, however, we are likely to see an increase in the use of AM for final products.
Rapid Prototyping for your Business
RP is increasingly used in a variety of industries and companies, with 3D printers making the technology much more accessible to businesses. It can provide several benefits for companies including speeding up the product development process and being a cost and time-efficient way to develop new products by shortening the sales funnel and avoiding any unforeseen errors along the way.
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