Rapid Prototyping

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What Does Rapid Prototyping Mean?

Rapid prototyping is the idea of quickly assembling a physical part, piece or model of a product. This is often done using sophisticated computer-aided design or other assembly software, and physically implemented using 3-D printers.

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Techopedia Explains Rapid Prototyping

Rapid prototyping is an idea made possible by brand-new technologies. Engineers have to quickly develop geometric models and forms, and use advanced physical processes to construct these types of impromptu products. These pieces may be only for demonstration or show, or they may actually relate to a plan for single-instance or longer-term production.

Experts suggest that rapid prototyping helps companies reduce waste, get products to market more quickly and test products in the real world. There is the idea that, since an initial prototype is hardly ever perfect, rapid prototyping makes possible a series of releases that allow for fine-tuning the product.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.