Rapid 3D printing prototyping is defined as a collection of technologies used to rapidly produce a scale model of a component or selection of components using CAD (three-dimensional computer-aided design) data.
What this really means is that a computer generated design from a 3D design software package is translated into thin horizontal slices. These layers are created one at a time to create an actual physical model where the layers are automatically joined or merged to create the final model. It is a ‘what you see is what you get’ process where the virtual model is almost identical to the physical model. This gives the technology a fundamental advantage over traditional techniques in that it can create almost any feature or geometric shape, in a myriad of colors and structures.
The word Rapid is relative, as some 3D printed models may take just a few hours to build, while others may take several days. The construction time depends on the size, complexity and the technique used.
There are a variety of methods that can be used to deposit the material and which one is best for your project will depend on what you want from your models. They are:
- Stereolithography (SLA)
- Selective Layer Sintering (SLS)
- 3D printing (3DP)
- Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
All of these techniques require a second material known as a support material, which allows for tapered surfaces and overhangs to be produced as the component grows. These come in a variety of forms which can be powder, liquid, wax, or even the material on the model that needs to be cleaned or removed from the model afterwards. Some machines generate the support structure for you, so you have no control over where it goes, while other machines you have to manually generate the support material using specialized software.
One interesting thing about 3D printing rapid prototyping is that because the models themselves have such a high production value and finish, they can be used as production parts under the right circumstances. I strongly believe this process will become the norm in the future, where high cost and unique parts are processed and printed with a 3D printing rapid prototyping machine, saving on tooling and manufacturing costs.
This really isn’t as far-fetched an idea as you might think. Now there are machines small enough to sit on your desk and big enough to print an entire engine block!