Rapid Prototyping | Ben Knezevic

Technology briefing, 21^th January 2011

This lecture focused in technologies for model making. The processes covered were Rapid prototyping, Laser cutting and Laser etching.

Rapid prototyping is a process in which a 3D object is created in several layers, out of liquid polymer solidified by a laser beam. The process is characterized by high speed, relatively low prices, and the capacity to produce highly complex pieces with intricate forms.
The outcomes can be solid or hollow, transparent or opaque, and be composed by several pieces within each other or freely organic shapes.

The high quality of the outcomes make this technology suitable for either demanding areas such as prosthesis for medicine, or very detailed ones, such as jewelry.

This technology requires specific kind of 3D files, and its use is only justified for producing really complex or detailed models.
The future of this process might well be Rapid production, with final objects being produced in short time.

Laser cutting and etching is a process in which the laser beam burns the surface of the material to create 2D shapes. The substrates range from paper to fabrics, from wood to plastics.
These technologies allow the creation of models as well as finished productions. Laser cutting can be used to create paper models such as packaging, without the expenses of the die cut.

In all the technologies presented the outcomes are directly produced out of digital files, which allows the design to be improved and testing models to be produced in the different stages. Despite all the advantages that these processes present, their use is limited to small series or one-offs model production.

This subject is of great interest for us as designers, as it provides us with the possibility of testing our projects, presenting them to clients, or even using them as models for final production.