Why use 3D Rapid prototyping in Design and Manufacturing?
3D printing is an ideal complement to 3D CAD design by offering a fast, low cost alternative to traditional rapid prototyping technologies for building concept and functional prototypes.
Currently 3D printing
materials used to produce prototypes range from resins, polymers and plasters
and there are many new ones to come in the near future. The use of your
prototype will determine which 3D printing material is best for our project. Key
factors that influence the choice of prototype material are lifespan,
complexity of geometry and the durability of the model.
A summary of the prototyping
materials that we offer here at 3D Creation Lab are shown below:
White
detailed material - Acrylic based photopolymer, highly detailed, best
for smaller objects, medium strength, fairly durable, low melting point (50
degrees C), superior surface finish to all other rapid prototyping technologies
due to a layer size of only 0.03mm.
Durable
material – ABS plastic, strong, best for larger models, low detail level,
rigid, low quality surface finish, medium melting point (127 degrees C), layer
size of 0.25mm
Multi-colour
material – Powder based material, high resolution, rigid, brittle, low
strength, surface finish has a sand effect to it, low melting point (60 degrees
C), layer size 0.09 to 0.25mm
Many designers and companies
use prototypes and models for the purpose of product and functionality testing
of new designs they can also be used to obtain customer feedback for new
products. The data collected from these tests is then used to change the
prototype models and improve the product or design.
3D printed prototypes are a
crucial tool for rapidly making cost efficient design modifications before a product
goes to manufacturing where these changes will be extremely costly. The time
and cost savings using rapid prototype models can be as much as two thirds.
3D Rapid prototyping
advancements allow for faster and lower cost prototypes and model fabrication
by eliminating manpower and expensive tooling which allow companies and
inventors to bring there products and designs to market faster than the
competition.
The question is does your
company need an unfair advantage in today’s current economic climate? I am
guessing the answer is yes! If so rapid prototyping technology is what you need.
