Prototyping and 3D Printing
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The combination of 3D printing and prototyping technologies has revolutionized the industry and many other areas. Turning an idea that is just a thought into a real project requires a process that can be costly and time-consuming. However, 3D printing prototyping ends up allowing the idea to go from paper to reality in a much more efficient and agile way.
Excellent for the dynamic production of prototypes, this technology allows the idea to be designed in CAD software (which allows designers and engineers to create realistic models of assemblies and parts), printed and tested in practice, ensuring greater reliability and priority for the development of your mechanism.
Are you interested and want to know more about prototyping and 3D printing? Then keep reading the text to find out everything! Let’s go!
What is a prototype and what is its purpose?
A prototype is a model of a product or process, built to serve as a reference or test for a specific creation. It can be a manual sketch, demonstrated in physical form or made computational. In general, the prototype is very important in the production of a product or process, especially to demonstrate a concept and to serve as a model for the final object.
Furthermore, it is important to mention that the prototype also allows an analysis of the functionality of a process or product to be carried out before its launch, since in this planning phase it is much simpler to modify an idea before the final creation or even reject it.
Check out some of the machines that can embody a product, project or process below:
3D printing: a 3D printer is nothing more than a device that can materialize three-dimensional objects to create products and prototypes with excellent finishing and 100% customizable;
CNC Router Cutting: this cut is made from vectors. The equipment is focused on making fast, precise cuts with a great finish;
Laser Cutting: this machine is a device capable of reading digital files and performing personalized services with precision and speed.
What is 3D Prototyping and why is it important?
Well, after defining the initial design of the process or product, it is essential to test and, if necessary, change the design so that it can better adapt to the function or needs of the end customer, whether in terms of ergonomics, aesthetics, convenience, weight, or other factors. To do this, it is important to build a prototype that represents the desired characteristic.
In the past, prototypes were produced manually. This changed with the advancement of computer modeling, which allowed the production of virtual prototypes in a much shorter time.
In this sense, the role of 3D printers is extremely important, as they allow the production of several parts in a very short period of time, based on a virtual model. Furthermore, this tool can generate very precise prototypes, which can serve as functional tests for the final products.
Manufacturing products in conventional formats is very time-consuming and tends to be an expensive process, especially when producing just one unit, such as a prototype. Not to mention the fact that there is no point in investing money and time in a product or process, only to later discover that the model is already outdated compared to others already on the market that are more modern and easier to produce.
Therefore, 3D printing comes as an alternative format for the development of prototyping of a process or product. It is possible to develop a dynamic prototyping cycle in which modifications can be made in a short time.
3D prototyping, when compared to conventional processes, ends up making the process more dynamic, allowing for more changes and interactions, in addition to being, of course, cheaper for small quantities. In order to anticipate the image of what will be designed, 3D prototyping directly impacts the expectation of how the product or process in question will result.
expectation of what will be done, ensuring that the final result is, in fact, aligned with the client’s intention and purpose. Obviously, this avoids future changes and unnecessary expenses. Thus, with 3D printing, such projection can go much further, as it is possible to materialize the visualization, creating printed models that are able to follow exactly what was modeled.
3D printing offers significant benefits for rapid prototyping parts. With it, industries can increasingly improve their designs before delivering them to the end customer or sending them into mass production. Used in several sectors, 3D prototyping is undoubtedly one of the activities that has benefited most from the advancement of 3D printing in industry.
What are the main types of 3D printing?
What are the main types of 3D printing?
There are many types of 3D printing. See below for two main ones!
Fused Filament Manufacturing (FDM);
This is a type of 3D printing that uses thermoplastics suitable for production. For this reason, the printed items have excellent chemical, thermal and mechanical attributes.
FDM is used for prototyping, new product development and even in the manufacturing of finished products. In addition, finished FDM objects are extremely durable and functional. With the help of FDM, it is possible to print not only working prototypes, but also ready-to-use products.
Stereolithography (SLA)
Stereolithography has the historical distinction of being the world’s first 3D printing technology. It is a rapid prototyping process. As such, people who use SLA are assured of precision and accuracy.
This type of 3D printing can produce objects from 3D CAD data files (which are computer-generated) in a short amount of time. Machines using this technology produce prototypes, patterns, models, and a variety of unique production parts. SLA printing has become a cost-effective option for a wide range of industries.
Why do 3D prototyping?
Here are some advantages of prototyping your product or process:
- You can see how your project will look with a prototype and even make changes to make it 100% perfect;
- Allows practical testing;
- You can be sure that you are developing exactly the product you want;
- Manufacturing is fast and efficient;
- You save time by quickly producing a model that is true to your ideas;
- You avoid spending on traditional prototypes that have high manufacturing costs;
- It becomes easier to present the product to an investor.
Let’s imagine the following situation so that you can better understand the importance of prototyping: you or your company have an incredible idea for a product. Even if the entire concept has been created, it is necessary to have a truly concrete model before making large investments and sending it into production.
And that’s where the importance of prototyping comes in, as it is a fundamental step for the successful development of a product or project that seeks innovation.
A prototype can be developed at different levels of fidelity and its general objective is to test and provide a basis for efficient validation of the proposed concept. Remember that tests can be aesthetic, conceptual, ergonomic, mechanical and functional. Ultimately, prototyping is the safest way to ensure the quality and success of your final product.
What are the benefits of 3D Printing Prototyping?
The ability to print highly complex parts several times at once, with the right amount of raw material ideal for manufacturing, is one of the great advantages of 3D prototyping. While in the past, a prototype would take days or even weeks to be ready, today it is possible to deliver a physical model in a matter of hours.
The selection of filament types for this type of printing has expanded since the technology became widely used. Today, you can choose from materials that include PETG, PLA, ABS, and even nylon.
The practical benefit of this variety of options when it comes to prototyping is that creators have the opportunity to test different materials when making their parts. Experimenting with different materials can be very interesting if, for example, the mechanical properties of a specific filament are considered, as it may be better suited to a particular product or part.
Furthermore, it is important to note that the same machine can be used to print the part using any variety of filament that the customer wants to try. Creating prototypes with different part geometries can be very useful for designers to understand the trade-offs between aesthetics and function during model testing. After several prototypes have been tested, engineers can reduce their design to the simplest and most necessary for the function of the part.
Personalized consultancy for prototyping and 3D printing
Ideally, you should work with a company that has professional 3D printers of different sizes and technologies, such as VILAGE. Before performing any 3D printing services, VILAGE’s main concern is to help the client choose the best technology, analyze which is the best material to use, define which finish best suits their needs and optimize the geometry that will be printed to improve performance or reduce weight, for example.
The goal is not just to perform the 3D printing service for the customer, but to help them make 3D printing technology truly transform their idea, project or business.
VILAGE has high quality equipment and a network of suppliers to build your prototype, using most market processes, such as:
- 3D printing in FDM and SLA;
- Laser cutting;
- Machining;
- Stamping;
- And many others.
If your project involves special materials, electronic circuit design or other complex features, be sure to contact VILAGE. We have a range of professionals and contacts who can find a way to make your prototype a reality.
VILAGE can transform your project into a tangible and, in most cases, even functional prototype. We use FDM 3D printers and resin, vacuum forming, laser cutting and other processes to ensure that your prototype is faithful, representative and functional, as well as 3D scanners for component digitization and reverse engineering.
VILAGE is committed to excellence in services, with experienced and specialized professionals to carry out all processes with total care and safety.
Because our focus is to guarantee personalized service to our customers, always considering each person’s needs.
Our services are all certified by BSI Brazil in the requirements of operating the Quality Management System in accordance with ISO 9001.
Frequently Asked Questions
We will do everything possible to ensure that your prototype works as designed, but it is quite normal for there to be one or more changes to adapt the design during development. If the initial prototype doesn’t work as desired, we will change the design and continue working to achieve the goal. Yes, there is some time, cost and dedication required to achieve the ideal product, but in the end, the effort and dedication are worth it. Remember that, in order to make a new prototype, there will be a charge for the new parts made.
Potentially yes. Contact us for more details and a full assessment.
Yes, many clients only request the 3D modeling so that they can carry out the patent process. In many cases, the sketches are not enough for our Engineering and Patents department to represent their idea clearly enough, making it necessary for the Product Development department to prepare a model with a little more detail. This way, there is a much greater chance that the INPI examiner will better understand how it works and, consequently, grant the patent.
Most components produced by 3D printing do have a limited size, which varies according to the technique and the equipment used. However, there are mechanisms specifically designed to ensure the attachment of two separate parts, which makes it entirely possible to manufacture components that are much larger than the physical limit of the equipment.
