Rapid Prototyping Services
Prototyping technologies
FDM - Fused Deposition Modeling
Uses engineering grade thermoplastics such as ABS
Urethane Casting - RTV Molding
Shore A, Shore D, Flame Resistant, UL Rated, Optically Clear as well as food grade materials.
Elastomeric Over Molding
Softer material bonded to a more rigid base material
3D Printing vs. Rapid Prototyping
3D printing includes those technologies which utilize a 3D CAD file to create an object by using a computer control to deposit, join, or solidify material. The material is often added layer by layer to create a 3D object. Example technologies include stereolithography (SLA), Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) also know as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) as well as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).
Rapid Prototyping includes all technologies that allow for the rapid creation of a physical prototype. Example technologies include RTV urethane casting, CNC machining, as well as all the 3D printing technologies.
3D printing is one of many Rapid Prototyping technologies.
History of Rapid Prototyping
Since rapid prototyping is a modern term that encompasses many technologies, we should start with the first "programmable" machine.
The first machine which was programmable was the CNC machine. The first NC (numerically controlled) machines were built in the 1940s and 1950s, based on existing tools that were modified with motors that moved the controls to follow points fed into the system on punched tape. These early servomechanisms were rapidly augmented with analog and digital computers, creating the modern CNC machines we use today.
In 1983, Charles Hull invented the first stereolithography-apparatus (SLA) for which he was granted a patent in 1986. Carl Deckard appllies for a patent for Selective-Laser-Sintering (SLS) in 1987 and a patent was issued in 1989.
3D systems sells the first commercially available machine in 1988.
For additional 3D printing history click on the info link below to go to the ASME website.
