Rapid prototyping is the automatic creation of any physical objects using latest prototyping technologies. The term "rapid" is related to the manufacture of a model with modern-day methods. Rapid prototype services became available in 1980s. Additive manufacturing techniques are used for this purpose. Designers do the designing of the prototype and engineers build it.
Rapid prototype services may take few hours to several days to complete the prototype depending on the task size. Additive technology is used for the manufacture of sample and it helps increasing the speed of prototype creation.
There exist many rapid prototype services which provide quality tune-up. Harvest technology is one of such leading services which offer you prototypes made from plastic and metal materials. The Stereolithography creates 3D prototype parts with the help of solid-state laser. Similarly some other services provide different services.
Functional testing is the most common application linked to rapid prototype. The basic requirement of customers is to receive sample which is working perfectly. The customer usually looks for a 3D visualization of its model to get market review and verify the prototype for mistakes.
Mission to achieve with rapid prototyping is every customer's satisfaction. Every customer has its own expectations towards every product. To fulfill everyone's desire is not possible but these rapid prototype services help you deliver the best one may get.
These rapid prototype services save a lot of time and this is also cost effective. No physical tooling of the equipment is needed and that is why it is really economical method. One may initiate some steps to reduce the cost and step includes using proper part orientation and reducing the weight of final parts.
Cost of rapid prototyping varies from various tasks depending on the customer's requirement. Rapid prototyping machine has a broad range of options and the cost changes accordingly. If you are considering 3D visualization of your model, this may cost you comparatively higher price.
If you own the rapid prototyping machine it might cost you even more. If the customer requires high quality prototyping, you may need to hire experts and pay them. Prototyping machine are luxurious and the cost of rapid prototyping depends on the maintenance of these machines as well.
There are many hidden charges which you have to bear in the case of rapid prototyping. So better get awareness and check your balance before purchasing any equipment so that you can avoid any purchase that you can not maintain later.