There is a lot of mixed terms and information that can get lost in translation when you are dealing with rapid tooling China services. Many developers lack a clear idea about the tasks that take place in rapid tooling and the ones that happen in rapid prototyping. Our purpose is to disclose as much as we can about these procedures so you can learn to differentiate them properly. One of the few things both seems to have in common is their reason to be. Two main factors coincide in the rise of these tooling methods in the modern world: the ever increasing costs of services that get replaced by new, inexpensive technology and the costs of materials needed to create new products. Once these two needs merged, they offered an opening to the evolution of manufacturing.

Manufacturing 101

Let’s take a few steps back to get a little more insight: when a developer comes with a new project to a manufacturing company, all aspects of it should be examined from the design stage to the creation of the prototype. This has to happen in this specific order since each step has the means to reveal more details about the product that can save a lot of money to the developers. The pre-production of the project involves the use of 3D technology to get down every single detail concerning the product. CAD models are encouraged to get as much insight as possible about the functionality of the product. Once the science has been established, it’s time to create the prototype.

This is How Rapid Prototype Works

Rapid Prototyping is the most popular method to create a finished version of a product these days. 3D printers take care of most of the job. The most significant advantage this prototyping method has is the ability to create a fully functional version of the product using the same raw materials that will be used in the production cycle once the prototype gets approval. Since this 3D printed prototypes are created with the same specs as the original CAD generated plans, testing functionality is not an issue at all and it also a way to save time. If the chain of command regarding revision and approval is not too long, the product should be good to go in a matter of days.

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cnc machining, *picture from centralaz.edu

This is How Rapid Tooling Bridges the Cycle

After the approval is given, this is where rapid tooling comes into play. The main catch of this manufacturing process is the creation of a product in reduced time cycles using the machinery at the disposal of the manufacturer. Working out the design flaws of these products certainly provides an extra edge since there should be no room for mistakes. Reputed rapid tooling China services will comply with your order without issues and deliver them in a shortened timespan that will give you a competitive advantage in your particular niche of the market. This is the essential how-to that bridges rapid prototyping and rapid tooling. Other details need to be worked out before embracing a project but following these steps is crucial to anything to come to fruition.

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rapid tooling, *picture form 3de.net