2. • A prototype is a basic working model, mock-up or a simple simulation of the product
which leads us to create a minimal viable product to final product and variations.
• A prototype could be a working model, representational (non-working) model, miniature
or a scale model, video or a photo demonstration based on the factors like a problem to
be solved, the mandate of the end customer, investor/industry requirements or
prototype that best satisfies the purpose.
3. • Rapid prototyping is a fast design process that involves an idea,
prototyping, and testing of a physical part, model, or building using a
3D computer-aided design (CAD). The building of the part, model, or
assembly is typically accomplished through additive manufacturing
which is also known as 3D printing.
• Rapid Prototyping technology employs various engineering e.g.
computer control and software techniques including laser, optical
scanning, photosensitive polymers, material extrusion and deposition,
powder metallurgy etc. to directly produce a physical model layer by
layer (Layer Manufacturing) in accordance with the geometrical data
delivered from a 3D CAD model.
4. • Prototyping can improve the quality of requirements and specifications provided
to developers.
• Reduced time and costs.
• Users are actively involved in the development.
• Quicker user feedback is available leading to better solutions.
• Errors can be detected much earlier.
• Missing functionality can be identified easily.
ADVANTAGES OF RP
• High precision RP machines are still expensive.
• RP systems are difficult to build parts with accuracy under +/- 0.02mm and wall
thickness under 0.5mm.
• The physical properties of the RP parts are normally inferior to those samples that
made in proper materials and by the traditional tooling.
• The RP parts are not comparable to (CNC) prototype parts in the surface
finishing, strength, elasticity, reflective index and other material physical
properties.
DISADVANTAGES OF RP
6. SLS is a rapid prototyping (RP) process that builds models from a wide
variety of materials using an additive fabrication method.
The build media for SLS comes in powder form, which is fused together
by a powerful carbon dioxide laser to form the final product.
The SLS process begins, like most other RP processes, with the standard
.STL CAD file format, which is exported now by most 3D CAD packages
7. The Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process was developed by The University
of Texas in Austin, and was commercialized by DTM, Corporation out of
Austin, TX in 1987 with support from B.F. Goodrich.
The first SLS system was shipped in 1992, and there are currently several
systems in use worldwide.
Dr.Joe Beaman
Carl R. Deckard