Rapid Prototyping using the 3D Printer – Part 1

Rapid Prototyping is very common in the design and manufacturing industry as a way of quickly producing realistic models of products being designed or developed by engineers. In the recent past 3Dsoftware such as pro/DESKTOP® and AutoCAD® has made it possible to design a product on the computer. The design can then be viewed at a variety of angles, it can be revolved or disassembled on the computer screen, all without the need to make an expensive model from clay or other modelling materials. Today, thanks to the rapidly developed prototyping machines, an accurate 3D model can be manufactured and handled.

A real model has a number of advantages other a computer model. A real model can be passed around a table for a design team to discuss. It can be given to a focus group or members of the general public so that they can make suggestions as to how it can be improved. A model can also be shown to potential clients so that they can see a real life version of the product they are thinking of buying. However, in the past, making a 3D model has been expensive and required highly skilled engineers/craftspeople to make it.

With the introduction of rapid prototyping machines it is now possible for a company to design a product on CAD software and then output the design to a rapid prototyping machine. The rapid prototyping machine automatically manufactures an accurate and realistic model of the product. Manufacturing using a prototyping machine is much more accurate than a model handmade by a skilled engineer or craftsperson and takes a fraction of the time.
Rapid prototyping machines are used in a wide and varied range of industries. These include, engineering, aerospace, medical modelling, architecture and many more.

Diagram ‘A’ shows a simplified diagram of a Z310 3D printer from Z-Corporation with its top/lid in position. The machine will only work when the lid is closed. Diagram ‘B’ shows the same machine with a section cut away so that the main parts can be seen. The machine is manufacturing a detailed scaled model of a prototype sports car. It completes this task by adding a layer of powered and resin to the model car at every pass of the print head.