Comparison of different rapid prototyping methods

Abstract

Rapid prototyping technologies for easy production of prototypes, parts and tools are new methods which are developing unbelievably quickly. Successful product development means developing a product of high quality, at lowest cost, in the shortest time, in at a reasonable price. The development of the part and its introduction to market is time consumption process. But "time is money" and therefore could be said that money saving is greatest when time to market is minimalized utmost. The main objective of this article is to give the basic introduction to this problematic and compare two different methods commonly used for prototype parts production. Especially cost and time consumption and final mechanical properties of the produced model.