Rapid prototyping and rapid tooling - New developments

Innovations with materials, processes and applications have made rapid prototyping and rapid fooling an integral part of plastics product design. Developments include RapidTool(TM)-Long Run(a), a technique where metal powder is laser sintered from CAD data to create a prototype mold. This process allows a prototype mold to be made. and prototype parts to be molded, in less than 2 weeks. The aspects of how RapidTool(TM) prototype molds are made. outlines of experience With benchmarking the process against CNC and epoxy tools, and ''best use'' of the process are detailed. The properties of finished molds made from the sintering coated metal powder are specified showing typical characteristics of mold material, of dimensional tolerances, of cost, and of processing parameters. New developments in rapid tooling in the preliminary stages which may be commercially available within the next year are also introduced.