Rapid prototyping deals with different technologies aiming at the physical realization of a prototype starting from the object mathematical definition on a CAD 3D model. Technologies used allow the idea implementation in a few days (from which the adjective “rapid” comes from). Processing time are short and this is crucial in most sectors that use prototyping such as aviation, automotive, aerospace and medical.
In all these cases, prototypes are an important part of the designing process, since they allow testing the object considered without times and costs linked to its final realization implementing final techniques and materials. Its realization speed allows designers to make and test more versions of the product in a short period in order to reduce the time off market more and more (which is a well-known critical success factor for all the companies working in more and more competitive markets).
Rapid prototyping ensures the model realization using different kinds of technologies:
- Additive: the prototype is built from scratch, unifying materials directly starting from different 3D models. The process consists in a layers overlap.
- Subtractive: the process starts from a whole block from which material is removed through specific machines until we obtain the desired shape.
- Fusion: combining both additive and subtractive technologies, we realise a prototype called sacrifical from which comes a plaster cast. Such cast is then filled with casted low melting metal alloys, which becomes a copy of the sacrifical when solidified.
Additive technologies allows the realisation of highly complex prototypes: following a construction by overlapping of layers there are no limits as far as the geometry is concerned.
PARTEC offers its clients many different options, which relies on additive technologies, such as sintering, FDM and stereolithography whose process tolerance is ±0.15 mm. Vacuum casting represent the most suitable choice when models in series are required.
Thanks to after-treatment finishes, we can add additional physics and aesthetic proprieties, to increase similarity with final product or acquire capabilities that are more accurate.
Since 1999, PARTEC supports companies that want to shape their ideas into winning products.
Contact us to discover more about our techniques and abilities.