Rapid prototyping technology machines print physical models from virtual designs. These machines layer materials in to super tiny layers-anywhere from about .0006 – .01 inches thick! The benefit to this
type of fabrication is that it’s inexpensive for producing small quantities of a model- typically for testing the fit, form, and function. ”You want to get the idea out of your head and in to your hand as quickly as possible,” says Dave Pierson, Senior Design Engineer for MAGNET. “These rapid prototyping machines make that possible.”
Before these high tech machines, engineers would model these objects on their computer and hope when the parts got made that they worked properly and everything fit together like they envisioned. “I can print something and check and make sure it is perfect before it even gets made at the machine shop,” Pierson says. “I could never go back to design work without these machines.”
MAGNET’s Product Design Studio features a rapid prototyping center with both a fused deposition modeling (FDM) station and a 3D Objet printer. To learn more about MAGNET’s Rapid Prototyping visit our Product Design & Development website.
