Feature Focus: Rapid Prototyping: Rapid Evolution

This article highlights the striking facts about rapid prototyping; a process that fabricates physical objects directly from computer-aided design sources. The use of rapid prototyping as a replacement for injection molding is still the overwhelming exception and may always be limited to a very narrow niche. Three-dimensional printing has also seen the introduction of materials that improve the durability and appearance of conceptual prototype parts. Z Corp. of Burlington is incorporating new pigments into its binders for its starch- and plaster-based materials. The pigments result in truer and brighter colors and replace the dyes that were previously incorporated into the liquid binders. The company has recently introduced a urethane infiltrant that increases part strength significantly and allows parts with delicate geometries to be.