Rapid prototyping (RP)

In plastic part design, technology has given us a variety of prototyping options. Rapid prototyping (RP) includes stereolithography, selective laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, laminated object manufacturing, and three dimensional printing. Each of these builds parts, one-by-one, from 3D-CAD models, joining layers of material to create the finished prototype. Rapid tooling (RT) uses rapid prototyping to create an initial part and then creates, from that part, a mold in which additional parts can be made. Mold materials can range from silicone rubber to composites. A third prototyping option is rapid injection molding (RIM), which works directly from a 3D-CAD model, using CNC machining to mill aluminum molds in which true injection-molded parts can be made. Finally, there is traditional injection molding, which is used primarily for production, but could conceivably be used to create prototypes.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Prototyping
• IDES
• Rapid
• RP
• Tooling
• RT
• injection
• molding
• RIM
• resin
• prospector