3D Info
Rapid prototyping tooling refers to the automatic construction of mechanical models with 3D printing, stereolithography machines or Selective Laser Sintering Systems. Rapid prototyping or 3D printing is a type of computer aided manufacturing (CAM) and is one of the components of rapid manufacturing. Rapid prototyping is as known as Solid Freeform Fabrication.
There are two main methods of rapid prototyping, which are derived from similar approaches in sculpture. In additive prototyping, the machine reads in data from a CAD drawing, and lays down successive millimeter-thick layers of liquid plastic, powdered plastic or some other engineering material, and in this way builds up the model from a long series of cross sections. These layers are fused, (often using a laser) to create the cross section described in the CAD drawing.
Advances in 3D printing technology allow the machine to use multiple materials in the construction of objects. This is important because it can use one material with a high melting point for the finished product, and another material with a low melting point as filler, to separate individual moving parts within the model. After the model is completed, it is heated to the point where the undesired material melts away, and what is left is a functional plastic machine. Although traditional injection molding is still cheaper for manufacturing plastic products, soon rapid prototyping or 3d printing may be used to produce finished goods in a single step.
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