Mastering SolidWorks: The Design Approach, 3rd Edition

Chapter 14

Rapid Prototyping

14.1 Introduction

Design prototyping has long been a common practice in engineering design. Design and manufacturing engineers always want to ensure that a product design as perceived and visualized on paper (or on a CAD/CAM screen) is correct. Prototyping helps eliminates hidden mistakes or surprises that may be discovered during product manufacture—when such surprises are costly. Even if there are no design mistakes, holding a prototype in hand may prompt some design changes, such as changes in dimensions or aspect ratio or relocation of features for ease of access by the intended users and maintenance personnel.

Prototyping is useful in fields other than engineering . Many of us have built prototypes of amateur ...