Rapid Prototyping

Rapid Prototyping

Rapid Prototyping is the process where a 3D CAD design model is directly manufactured in a machine without any tooling using an additive process. Generally the rapid prototyping machine builds up the part by adding layers of material that can be a variety materials including plastic, resins, starch powder, paper or metal powder.

Rapid Prototyping is also known as Additive Manufacturing for more information on our Additive Manufacturing systems visit:

• V-Flash - Low cost 3D printer
• ProJet - Personal 3D printers 
• ProJet - Professional 3D printers 
• Arcam - Electron Beam Melting

Rapid Tooling

 

The introduction of rapid tooling has given companies from a wide range of industries a major opportunity to increase their market share by launching new products more quickly. The process involves manufacturing a soft metal tool, commonly aluminium, so that samples can be made in the same material as the final product.

To gain the full benefit of this process, it is essential to have a CADCAM system that provides the flexibility to accept any CAD data, and rapidly generate a tool, or toolpath to manufacture the tool. Delcam’s hybrid modeling approach gives the designers the ability to easily generate shut faces using the much acclaimed PowerSHAPE Die Wizard, and rapidly generate efficient toolpaths using the proven cutting strategies of PowerMILL.

 

Rapid Machining

Sometimes CNC machining is the preferred option for Rapid Prototyping. This can apply in cases when the model has large free-form shapes, not a lot of fine detail, no ribs, or needs to be manufactured in metal or steel. PowerMILL offers a full range of cutting strategies to enable efficient toolpaths to be generated in an extremely rapid manner. PowerMILL’s proven gouge protection works to ensure that all toolpaths, in 3 or 5 axis, can be run first time with complete confidence.