Rapid Prototyping in Industry
What is Rapid prototyping? Rapid prototyping (RP), also known as additive manufacturing, is a crucial in product development stage. In this process, the prototype is developed as fast as possible directly from CAD model using diverse manufacturing technique. In order to reach the desired features of a certain part, prototyping can be repeated many times during the design process.
Rapid Prototyping in a simple form is the creation of a prototype easily and quickly to evaluate the features and functions of a part. Thus, Rapid Prototyping is the introductory version of the product used in the evaluation of the design.
Why Rapid Prototyping is Important?
Nowadays, competitiveness between customers in the market became intense; hence, leading the companies to develop and introduce new products to the market. Faster product development is essential for the company to survive in the market.
Rapid Prototyping can reach the below objectives:
- Develop new products fast.- Design validation early from fit, from and function perspectives. - Product verification at the final stages against technical specifications and other objectives. - Rapid Prototyping allows the functionality testing in order to test the objectives of the whole concept and finalize the product specifications.- Prototypes involves customers in user experience to get feedback.
Role of Prototyping
Experimentation and Learning: Questions and doubts concerning certain issues of the design can be addressed by studying and learning the prototype. Testing and Proofing: Prototypes are use to test and proof ideas in product development process. Communication and interaction: Prototypes are not only used to communicate data within the product development team, but also between clients. Synthesis and Integration: A prototype can also be used to synthesize the entire product concept by bringing the various components and sub-assemblies together to ensure that they will work together. Scheduling and Markers: Prototyping also serves to help in the scheduling of the product development process and is usually used as markers for the end or start of the various phases of the development effort.
Rapid Prototyping Advantages
-Reduce design and development time -Reduce overall product development cost -Elimination or risk reduction -Allows functionality testing -Improve user involvement during design stages of new product -Ability to evaluate human factors
Rapid Prototyping Disadvantages
-Lack of accuracy -Added initial cost -Expensive and not economical -Reduced material properties like surface finish -Require skilled labour -Limited material range
Rapid Prototyping Application
-Automotive industry -Aerospace industry -Consumer goods -Toy industry -Medical
