Rapid Prototyping FAQ
What exactly is rapid prototyping?
Rapid prototyping (RP) is a manufacturing process that uses a special CAD (.STL) file to produce a 3D model. Depending on the technology used, a rapid prototyping machine builds the part one layer at a time from plastic, wax, paper or metal droplets that are deposited one layer at a time until a solid replica is generated. It is an additive fabrication process.
What are the benefits of rapid prototyping?
Fabrication of 3d models can be done very accurately and very quickly (and with no labor costs) compared to traditional model-making that uses a machining process.
What is the STL file used in rapid prototyping?
STL is a special 3D CAD file format used to represent the part. It is either an ASCII or binary file that contains a list of the coordinates of the triangular facets that comprise the surface of the part to be built. Here is an example of an STL file that contains one triange:
solid
facet normal 0.00 0.00 1.00
outer loop
vertex 3.00 2.00 1.00
vertex -1.00 2.00 0.00
vertex 0.00 -1.00 1.00
endloop
endfacet
endsolid
What is the difference between rapid prototyping and stereolithography?
Stereolithography is one of several different processes that can be used in a rapid prototyping system. Specifically, sterolithography uses a photosensitive liquid resin (photopolymer) that is hardened with a laser. Other rapid prototyping systems may use ink-jet technology to spray metal droplets, use powder that is heated, or use an electron beam instead of a laser.
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