Changing a drawing into a printed reality is not an easy task. Despite the lengthy time frame that a die caster may allow, maybe six months, the task might still seem daunting. Prototype metal casting makes the job easy. Rapid prototyping technology reduces the lengthy six-month hassle to days.
Rapid prototyping is a technology designers use to create customized 3D models to suit specific prototyping goals. It is a cheap way of creating prototypes without using expensive machinery. Injection molding, computer numerical control machining, and three-dimension printing are the primary technologies used to conduct rapid prototyping.
Three-dimension printing was the first in the evolution of prototyping. Injection molding and CNC machining are new advancements in rapid prototyping. Essentially, all three technologies are equally involving and require high capital to set up the machines used to make prototypes.
How and where is rapid prototyping used?
Medical and Dental
Rapid prototyping techniques are primarily used in the dental and medical fields to prototype biomaterials. Dry powder printing and extrusion-based freeform are techniques used to process the tinniest biomaterials, such as implants used for tooth fixes.
Biosensors are processed through three-dimension printing and stereolithography, which are rapid prototyping methods. Stereolithography entails using a layered fashion to create prototypes, models, and patterns through photochemical procedures.
The biosensors are essential for surveilling patients’ statuses while in the hospital. They collect biological data and turns them into meaningful analytical information to the medical practitioners.
Automotive
Rapid prototyping has been extensively used in the aeronautics, automotive, and aerospace sectors. Various engine castings, cooling vents, handles, knobs, and dashboards are rapidly manufactured through rapid prototyping.
Prototyping is also used for simulation in the automotive sector, with tests carried out with the help of formulated prototypes. In this case, real objects are made into small prototypes and used in place of real objects.
Other forms of automotive applications include mass customizations and integration of different com[onents to unify them.
Benefits of rapid prototyping
Easy fabrication of 3-D models
Rapid prototyping allows easy fabrication of three-dimension models into physical objects with less effort. Designing and creating the models may take days to few weeks. Afterward, different prototype metal castings may be made quickly.
Cost Reduction in product development
Rapid prototyping of new products significantly reduces the amount of money that you would have used to create the same products in large numbers. For instance, the production of metallic parts will require prototype metal castings to attain large-scale production within a short period and at a low cost.
Reduced risk in the creation of products
High production of metal products can be labor-intensive, thus increase chances for accidents among the laborers. Prototype metal casting eliminates this risk since the workers need to use the rapidly manufactured prototypes to create new products, thus high productivity through safe practice.
Increased user engagement
Rapid prototyping has made it easy to any shape or three-dimension model into a usable physical object. Therefore, users may design custom three-dimension models and involve prototyping experts to fabricate the models into objects.
Rapid prototyping can assist in making several objects with significantly reduced effort and resources. Its benefits are cost-effective and sustainable. Most importantly, when opting to use rapid prototyping, involve prototype metal casting experts to provide professional assistance.
