The prototype can also be called a sample or template. Some people call it the "first model", which is the first model of a product. In Japan, it is also called a "garage kits". Prototype is the first step to verify the feasibility of a product. It is the most direct and effective way to find out the defects, deficiencies, and shortcomings of the product design, so as to make targeted improvements to the defects.
Usually a product just developed or designed to complete the product are required to do the prototype, the design of the completed product generally can not be perfect, or even unusable, direct production once there are defects will all be scrapped, a great waste of manpower and material resources and time. The prototype is generally a small number of samples, the production cycle is short, the loss of manpower and material resources is small, and the shortcomings of product design can be quickly found, and sufficient basis for product finalization and mass production can be provided.
Principle
Rapid prototyping is a group of techniques used to quickly fabricate a scale model of a physical part or assembly using three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) data. Construction of the part or assembly is usually done using 3D printing or clay modeling technology.
The most common method is to first make a silicone mold and pour it with a polyurethane material in a vacuum state, thereby cloning the same copy of the original template.
Applications
Rapid prototyping is also commonly applied in software engineering to try out new business models and application architectures such as Aerospace, Automotive, Financial Services, Product development, and Healthcare.[8] Aerospace design and industrial teams rely on prototyping in order to create new AM methodologies in the industry. Using SLA they can quickly make multiple versions of their projects in a few days and begin testing quicker.[9] Rapid Prototyping allows designers/developers to provide an accurate idea of how the finished product will turn out before putting too much time and money into the prototype. 3D printing being used for Rapid Prototyping allows for Industrial 3D printing to take place. With this, you could have large-scale moulds to spare parts being pumped out quickly within a short period of time.
