The process of rapid prototyping is exactly like it sounds: prototypes of products are quickly produced so that companies can move forward with final production. Having begun in the 1980’s, rapid prototyping is relatively new. But in the almost three decades since its inception, it has grown from producing models and prototype parts alone to being used by sculptors for art exhibits and used by manufacturing companies to produce market ready parts in small numbers. In the past, rapid prototyping was conducted using traditional data surveying methods that resulted in 2D drawings that were less accurate than the data results produced by today’s preferred method of data collection for rapid-prototyping: 3D digitization, or laser scanning.
Due to their ability to produce data models that can be directly manufactured from, 3D laser scanning services are primarily associated with the traditional engineering and reverse engineering processes. However, the use of additive manufacturing technology in contemporary rapid-prototyping also requires the aid of laser scanning, particularly in the form of solid CAD models. Laser scanning produces three types of data models: polygon mesh models, surface models and solid CAD models. Polygon mesh models-also known as mesh models-are virtually un-editable, and are typically used for archiving or product visualization. Surface models are more editable than mesh models, but are only editable at their surface, making them ideal for modeling artistic and organic shapes. Solid CAD models, on the other hand, can incorporate design intent.
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What is Stereolithography?
Stereolithography has many names and few of them are 3D layering, 3D printing, solid free-form fabrication, photo-solidification and solid imaging. It is the most common and extensively used form of rapid manufacturing and rapid prototyping. Stereolithography fabricates 3D parts and allows creating solid 3D objects from CAD models with high precision and excellent surface finish within few hours (time depends upon size and complexity). Machines used for Stereolithography are known as Stereolithography Apparatus (SLA).
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Stereolithography provides a quick and simple means to convert CAD models into real objects. This is very useful where time is money. The constraint as mentioned above is that the time to produce three dimensional parts depends upon the size and complexity of the object. The accuracy is very good having tolerance within .004″/inch. The problem again is that SLA devices or machines are too expensive. Photo-curable resin used in Stereolithography can cost as high as $800 per gallon. Then the process involved in SLA produces fumes due to which it requires a well ventilated environment
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Large corporations often have research and development departments where they define new strategies, and prototypes which their company can sell in the market place to consumers. This is how they come up with new services and products to appease their clientele and customers. Without innovation, a large Corporation can become stodgy, slow, and uncompetitive amongst their competition.
Although customers and clients say they want change, the reality is that humans do not want too much change, but they like to have new features, designs, and occasional changes. Of course, once a corporation has gotten too large, often they can no longer do the research and development in-house and feel the need to outsource.
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