Rapid prototyping is a process by which a working model or prototype is developed to test the various design ideas, features, concepts, use, functionality and performance. The user can immediately give a feedback to the producer. The technology of rapid prototyping is quite revolutionary and innovative and has found widespread applications in nearly all types of industries. The prototypes can be developed on the basis of past design and its performance and necessary modifications can be made to refine the final product as per the requirements. Rapid prototyping has manifold advantages like reduction of process cost, time and risks, conceptualizing of the actual product, delivery of high quality product, better communications and so on.As it is with all the technologies, there are some disadvantages as well associated with rapid prototyping like communication gaps, high expectations of the users which are not fulfilled and so on. However, the benefits surely do override all the advantages. There are a host of different rapid prototyping technologies.
Rapid Prototyping Technologies: The numerous rapid prototyping technologies may include the various types like additive, formative or subtractive. Initially, rapid prototyping technologies involved only additive processes. The major difference between the various additive technologies is the method in which layers are built for creating parts. Some rapid prototyping technologies melt or soften materials for producing the Layers (FDM, SLS), whereas other technologies lay down liquid material called thermosets and these are later cured by different methods.