history of rapid prototyping

7/31/2019 History of Rapid Prototyping

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History of Rapid Prototyping

Rapid prototyping is quite a recent invention. The first machine of rapid prototyping hit the

markets in the late 1980s. The early rapid prototyping process derived its name from theactivities and the purpose for which the earlier machines were utilized.

What is Rapid Prototyping?

Rapid prototyping refers to physical objects that are automatically constructed with the aid

of additive manufacturing technology.

Rapid prototyping in its earlier days was applied to production of models and prototypeparts. But nowadays with the advancement in technology, rapid prototyping is used widely

for many applications that include manufacturing production-quality parts. The

manufacturing of these quality parts however are very small in numbers. Apart fromindustrial applications, rapid prototyping is also used in sculpting. The application of rapid

prototyping in sculpting is to generate fine arts exhibitions.

Rapid prototyping as mentioned earlier, involves the use of additive manufacturing

technology which actually takes the virtual designs from computer aided design (CAD) oranimation modeling software (AMS).


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These designs are further transformed into thin, virtual, horizontal cross sections and then

the process of creating successive layers continues till the model in complete. On

completion of the model, one may find that the virtual model is almost same as the physicalmodel. Over here a process called WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) takes

place wherein the final product is same as the image created. Once the layers which

correspond to the virtual cross section from CAD are formed, they are either joined orfused automatically to yield the final shape. Additive fabrication has the benefit of creating

any shape or geometric feature.

Working of Rapid Prototyping Machines

CAD software and the rapid prototyping machine are connected with a data interface that iscalled as the STL file format.


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This STL file format enables the approximation of a shape of a part or the entire assembly

using triangular facets. Smaller the facet, higher is the quality surface. One should consider

the meaning of the word rapid as relative, as the construction process of a model with thecontemporary methods can take up a long time which can be several hours to several days.

It actually depends upon the complexity and size of the model. The method used over here

also plays an important role. Sometimes the type of machine being used also influences thetime taken for the creation of a new model though the additive systems are applied. Even

here the size and the number of models to be created play an equally important role.

There are some other techniques that are used in the construction of parts. The technique

used in solid free-form fabrication involves the use of two materials in the construction ofparts. One of it is the building material of that part and the other is the support material.

The use of support material is to provide support to the projecting features during

construction.

In case of manufacturing polymer products in higher quantities, a process called traditional

injection molding is more feasible in terms of cost, but when it comes to manufacturingparts in smaller volumes, the application of additive fabrication is recommended more and

is cost effective.

Prototyping Technologies

Some of the prototyping technologies used in various rapid prototyping machines are as

follows:

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS):

This technology involves the use of high power laser for the fusion of tiny particles of

plastic, metal etc, into a mass that represents a desired 3D object, through the help of a SLS


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machine. This is an additive manufacturing technique. Materials used in this technique are

metal powders and thermoplastics.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM):

This additive manufacturing technology was invented in the late 1980s by S. Scott Crump

and is used for applications like modeling, prototyping and production. This technologyinvolves the use of eutectic metals and thermoplastics.

Stereo lithography (SLA):


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This also is an additive manufacturing technology and is used for production of models,

patterns etc through the Stereo lithography machine. Photo-polymer is the principle

material used in this technique.

Laminated object manufacturing (LOM):


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Paper material is the base material used in this technology. In this method layers of

adhesive-coated plastic, paper or metal laminates are fused together and cut into shape with

the aid of a knife or a laser cutter.

3D Printing:

This too is an additive manufacturing technology and involves the use of various materials.In this technology successive layers of material create a 3D object. 3D printing technology

actually is said to be more affordable, easy to use and speedy than the additivemanufacturing technologies. Though production applications are actually dominated by theadditive manufacturing technologies, 3D has a great potential to prove useful in the

production applications.

Rapid prototyping, is now entering into rapid manufacturing which is more advanced as

compared to rapid prototyping machines as it can be used for large products. This is anadditive fabrication technique, that would be applied to the manufacturing of solid objects.

This process involves the sequential delivery of energy, material (material sometimes may

not be used) to the specified points in space, in order to produce a particular part. Rapidmanufacturing is an advanced form of this technology.

history of rapid prototyping

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