What is Rapid Prototyping?

The rapid prototyping process that is used by RapidPro Manufacturing is a layer-additive process. A software program slices a 3-D CAD model into thin cross-sections or layers. A laser beam traces each layer onto the surface of a vat of liquid photopolymeric material which solidifies when exposed to ultraviolet light. The solidified layer is then lowered into the vat so that another layer of liquid is ready to be exposed to the laser.

This process is repeated until all the cross-sections have been built up into a solid replica of the original CAD model. The process can be held to tolerances of +/- 0.005/inch. The resulting parts are strong enough to be snapped together, drilled and tapped, finished and painted, and built into assemblies. They can also be used as mold patterns for casting parts in a variety of materials.

Why Rapid Prototyping is Important

Machining is a subtractive process. Beginning with a piece of solid stock, a machinist removes material until a desired three-dimensional object is produced. For complex part geometries, this can be a very time-consuming and expensive process. In fact, many parts are too complex to be prototyped in this manner.

Quick product development cycles are essential for companies to compete in today's marketplace. Traditional prototyping methods cannot keep pace with current technology and quicker, more efficient methods must be utilized in order to stay ahead of the competition.

Concepts need to be transformed into solid objects within days instead of weeks. RapidPro Manufacturing's fast concept-to-prototype service, using the latest CAD and rapid prototyping technologies, can accomplish this.

Starting at any stage of the design process, our staff will produce finished prototypes for engineering and market evaluation. Having prototypes in hand allows you to verify your product and ensure that faulty or difficult-to-manufacture designs do not end up in final production.

Working from your files, RapidPro Manufacturing can deliver precision prototype parts in as little as a few days. We can work from most of the common file formats. We can also work from your blueprints or even the proverbial "sketch on the back of a napkin".

You benefit from the shorter time-to-market and reduced development costs that can be achieved using 3-D solid modeling and rapid prototyping. You can utilize our advanced software running on high performance workstations and state-of-the-art prototyping equipment without the capital investment or the expenses of training your staff.

Need more than just one or two prototypes? From single parts we can generate silicone molds to produce multiple parts. We can also interface with local manufacturers who can work directly from our 3-D CAD files to mass-produce the finished product for you.

What Rapid Prototyping Corporation can do for you:

Product Design

• We can assist you with design or enhancements from any point in your design process, starting with a concept, a sketch, a drawing or a CAD file.
• Or we can initiate/deliver a comprehensively designed product from the initial stages of material and component part selection through to the stages of first article inspection and assembly.
• We have extensive experience in plastics, sheet metal, stamping, wire cabling and flex circuit design.

3-D CAD Modeling

• Solid modeling on high performance workstations.
• Conversion of 2-D and 3-D wireframe CAD files from most other systems into 3-D solid models.

Prototyping

• StereoLithography
• Silicone molding of cast polyurethane parts
• Polyurethane molding of cast polyurethane parts
• Machining services