Rapid Prototyping Using Machining

Rapid prototyping (RP), in its generic sense, should be referred to as manufacturing processes that can create prototype parts rapidly. With the invention of a new set of manufacturing processes, the term "Rapid Prototyping" has been used in reference to layer manufacturing (LM) and solid freeform fabrication (SFF) techniques such as stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), and fused deposition modeling (FDM). The purpose of this paper is twofold. The first is to make clear the distinction between solid freeform fabrication and traditional 3- and 5-axis CNC machining techniques, and then to compare their strengths and weaknesses. With an understanding of their capabilities and limitations, we will discuss in more detail the use of CNC machining as a rapid prototyping technique.