Tag: rapid prototyping

The concept of producing material objects from 3D CAD is commonly known as Rapid Proto-Typing, or ‘RPT’.  It has had quite a short history, but has seen many new technologies introduced in that short time.  The first process, called stereolithography, used a vat of liquid polymer plastic which was hardened in layers by a laser to create a solid plastic object.  The liquid material was a very expensive item, the process very slow, and it needed a controlled environment room.  The cost of both machine and material kept the process to a few bureaux and research institutions.