RP stands for rapid prototyping. But what is rapid prototyping? Basically, it is a group of methods that are utilized to quickly make a scale model of a specific part or an assembly. It uses CAD - three dimensional designs through computers - and is therefore highly accurate. The very first RP technique ever utilized is believed to be the Stereolithography. This was developed by 3D Systems, a company in Valencia, CA. 3D Systems was founded in 1986 and they were the pioneers of RP technologies.
Other Terminology and What it Is Used For
When you look into rapid prototyping, you may find that you come across different terminologies. Specifically, what is rapid prototyping? You may find some people who describe it as computer automated manufacturing, free form manufacturing or layered manufacturing. So what is rapid prototyping used for? It will come as little surprise that it is used mainly to visualize something that still has to be created. Furthermore, RP modeling can also be used to test certain items or processes. For instance, an airfoil shape can be placed within a wind tunnel. Models for tools can be created through RP technology, including investment casts and silicone rubber molds. There are some occasions where the RP part is actually the final part. However, more often than not, the RP material is not accurate and strong enough for this. If the material is actually suitable, some very convoluted shapes can be produced, including parts that are nested inside other parts. This is thanks to the nature of RP.
Experimental RP Methodologies
There are also a range of experimental RP methodologies. If you are asking "what is rapid prototyping?" you will generally come across some of these examples too. This is often used by small groups of individuals or in new developments. However, generally, RP refers to processes that are commercially available across the board, such as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM), Ink Jet printing techniques and Solid Ground Curing (SGC).
The Reasons of Rapid Prototyping
So what exactly are the reasons for rapid prototyping? Basically, RP exists to increase and improve good communication, to decrease the necessary time for something to be developed, to decrease the amount of expensive mistakes, to minimize the changes in sustaining engineering and to make sure a product's lifetime is increased because new and interesting features can be added. Also, any redundant features that can be found in the design can be removed. In terms of development, corrections are allowed within the product at early stages. Without this technology, a product would be made from start to finish, only finding at the end if any parts of the production process were not designed properly. This would then mean that the entire process had to be restarted and all materials used would have been wasted. Through RP, the number of variants in a product can be increased, the complexity of a product can be increased, the lifetime of a product before it becomes obsolete is much better, and the delivery time of a product is significantly decreased.