Shenzhen Kai Gong Model Co., Ltd has Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) & Stereo Lithography Apparatus (SLA) machines, using 3D data in .stl file format. They are perfect for your first functional model.
Rapid prototyping is a group of techniques used to quickly produce a scale model of a physical part or assembly using three-dimensional CAD data. Construction of the part or assembly is usually done using 3D printing or “additive manufacturing” technology. For RP this data must represent a valid geometric model; namely, one whose boundary surfaces enclose a finite volume, contain no holes exposing the interior, and do not fold back on themselves. In other words, the object must have an “inside.” The model is valid if for each point in 3D space the computer can determine uniquely whether that point lies inside, on, or outside the boundary surface of the model.
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Rapid prototyping techniques can help product designers and developers come out with better quality products. Here are just some of the benefits of rapid prototyping:
1. Prototyping is very important at different stages of design. From conceptualization at the task level and determining the feature aspects of a new product, rapid prototyping techniques can help provide designers with a better visual as well as physical understanding of the product and see for themselves how their product will eventually fare out in the market.
2. Prototyping can be used to gain a better understanding of the kind of product required in the early stages of development. It can help designers keep track of the design improvements and possibly test out its effectively with a control group.
3. Rapid prototyping techniques help product developers become more flexible as well as more creative in coming out with new products. It helps widen the room for improvement in terms of product design. Most people may tend to believe that once a good version of an product design is made, they can get easily carried away by thinking that this must be the only or the best possible design solution. By having prototypes made, designers may be able to think of other design approaches that they think will be better for a certain product concept.