Different methods, what you can expect and what the process will accomplish.
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A major step in product development. The information gained from the prototype part is used to refine the product to make it more functional, more useful, more user friendly or just more appealing to the end user. This may take many forms from material selection, surface finishes, geometry changes or changing the design concept.
The selection of the prototyping method is dictated by what needs to be learned from the prototype. It is unlikely the first edition of prototype parts will be satisfactory for marketing purposes. If that were not the case, there would be no sense in going to the expense of prototyping. Modifications to the design or materials should be expected and used to learn from.
Stereolithography (SLA)
A rapid prototyping process that uses a vat of liquid UV-curable photopolymer resin and a UV laser to build parts one layer at a time. SLA rapid prototyping is a great process for concept models, master patterns and tradeshow models.
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Machined Plastic Prototypes (MPP)
A subtractive rapid prototyping process for creating plastic prototypes from production plastics. The material is removed from a solid block plastic using CNC technology. MPP parts are ideal for functional prototypes and end-use applications.
PolyJet
A rapid prototyping process that jets photopolymer materials in ultra-thin layers (16µ) onto a build tray layer by layer until the part is completed. Each photopolymer layer is cured by UV light immediately after it is jetted. PolyJet rapid prototyping is a great process for concept models, master patterns and tradeshow models.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
A rapid prototyping process that uses a high power laser to fuse small particles of powder to build parts one layer at a time. SLS rapid prototyping is a great process for functional testing and for low volume manufacturing.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
A rapid prototyping process that uses a plastic filament of material supplied to an extrusion nozzle. The nozzle is heated to melt the material and can be moved in both horizontal and vertical directions. FDM rapid prototyping is a great process for functional testing and for low volume manufacturing.
Cast Urethane
The process of using silicone molds to create urethane molded parts. Silicone is cast around a master pattern (typically made from stereolithography rapid prototyping). After curing, the mold is then used to form a two-part polyurethane material in the shape of the master. Cast Urethane Molding is a great process for pre-production runs. and low volume manufacturing.
The above information is of a general nature and is intended for a basic understanding of one of the processes we use in the product development stage to help bring our customers products to market. There are exceptions to every process or method depending on the individual application.
