How Today's Model/Prototype Shop Helps Designers Use Rapid Prototyping

This paper looks at the broad field of prototyping, including the specialized portion serviced by the new rapid prototype methods. It describes how model/prototype sources have responded to the need for fast prototyping over the whole spectrum. It describes--in more detail--how the traditional model shop today extends the usefulness of the RP source. It provides examples of how and why new 3D contour shaping by standard CNC milling machines is a very attractive rapid prototype alternative for many applications.