Rapid Prototyping

Rapid prototyping encompasses a variety of technologies, with additive manufacturing (3D printing) being the most prominent. Other methods include high-speed machining, casting, and molding. The core principle is to accelerate the process of turning a digital design into a physical object. This speed is crucial for an effective iterative design cycle. Instead of waiting weeks or months for a traditionally machined prototype, designers can have a physical model in their hands within hours or days. This allows for immediate physical interaction, ergonomic testing, and assembly verification. In a user-centered design context, these prototypes can be given to users to test handling, aesthetics, and basic functionality. The feedback gathered is then used to modify the CAD model, and a new prototype is printed. This rapid feedback loop drastically reduces development time and cost by identifying design flaws early, long before any investment is made in mass-production tooling. The fidelity of prototypes can range from simple, low-cost visual models to fully functional, high-fidelity prototypes that closely mimic the final product.