Rapid Prototyping
Rapid prototyping is a product development approach that leverages turnkey manufacturing technologies to quickly produce multiple iterations of a component for testing and evaluation. 3D printing is commonly used for rapid prototyping due to its cost-effectiveness and fast turnaround time of 1-3 business days. Other popular rapid prototyping methods include CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and rapid injection molding.
The core principles of rapid prototyping are speed and affordability, allowing multiple prototype designs to be produced simultaneously or enabling quick revisions of a single prototype with different designs and materials. These prototypes provide valuable insights that assist engineers in making design decisions before progressing to higher fidelity models for functional testing and production.
Metamiracle offers a range of rapid manufacturing processes designed to create prototypes quickly and cost-effectively. Recent advancements in additive manufacturing have made 3D printing a popular choice for engineers seeking rapid prototyping solutions, as it allows parts to be printed swiftly and affordably in various metals and plastics.
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However, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and injection moulding are also viable options depending on the specific needs, such as evaluating prototypes in their final metal material or testing parts with multiple backups.
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3D Printing: The most common rapid prototyping process due to its speed and affordability, ideal for creating prototypes quickly in a variety of materials.
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Sheet Metal Fabrication: Ideal for quick-turn, flat parts, especially when the prototype needs to be evaluated in its final metal material. These parts can often be produced within a week and are cost-effective enough to manufacture multiple prototypes in parallel.
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Injection Moulding: A rapid injection moulding process produces durable, identical parts for testing, along with multiple backup parts. This method is typically used for high-fidelity product evaluations or as bridge tooling for temporary production during a product launch. It offers excellent repeatability and precise final shapes, with a lead time of 3-5 weeks for the initial parts.
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CNC Machining: A great option for prototyping, as it allows for easy design modifications and testing of multiple iterations with high accuracy. CNC machined parts can be produced in a wide range of metals and plastics, with lead times of around 14 days.
