What Are the Tools You Can Use in Rapid Prototyping?

Rapid prototyping becomes a big help to many industries. Several companies are using this process to expedite the duration of a product development. Moreover, different sectors are continuously discovering new ideas on how to apply 3D printing in their business.

 

Speaking of innovation, there are several software that you can use to improve your 3D printing experience. Some of this software helps to ease the reverse engineering process. While others are being used to operate 3D printers and scanners. However, are there any tools that you can use for rapid prototyping? Let us take a look at some of it:

InVision

This tool allows you to upload your design files into the software. Once uploaded, you can create several interactive mock-ups. There are several features here where you can see how your design will perform live.

 

This software is perfect if you are doing a collaborative design. It allows you to make comments and control certain versions of the design. These features eliminate the confusion from the collaborative process. It also gives you more time to be more creative and productive.

 

However, the disadvantage of using this software is you can’t create assets here. Since most of the projects are collaboration, you don’t have full control over the design. You might want to use another software if you wish to create a design on your own.

Framer

This software has extensive vector editing tools where you can easily create bitmaps frames and shapes. Moreover, framer is also a powerful prototyping software when it comes to animation. You can make detailed UX flows and add animated movement.

 

Besides that, this software is also compatible with a lot of files. This means you can import and export several files such as .CSS and .SVG that you can use in other software. 

 

But, the main advantage of Framer is its ability to generate code. You can design in the software’s user interface where it will produce codes for your creations. So, if you are a designer who wants to learn the coding system then this tool is ideal for you.

Adobe XD

Adobe XD is an all around rapid prototyping tool for every designer. You can create a wireframe to easily arrange all the elements of your design. On top of that, you can design the actual layout here. It is more convenient than using different tools for various purposes.

 

The tool is also perfect in collaborative work. Just like InVision, it has a place where you can discuss the design with your team. The only advantage of this is that Adobe created a vast community of designers that you can collaborate with. 

 

The wide range of people who use Adobe products is what makes Adobe XD standout. Surely there’s someone who can answer your questions about design or the software itself. This is the perfect tool for designers who want to improve their skills in designing.

Origami Studio

Origami Studio is the hybrid between the basic prototyping features of Adobe XD and technicality of Framer. Facebook is the developer of this tool to help creators in product innovation. 

 

The tools UI is also worth the look. Designers can easily cut and paste layers. Moreover, it has freeform drawing tools and text editing that allows creators to experiment with the layout of their product.

 

Some of the disadvantages of using this tool is accessibility and collaborative features. Origami studio has a limitation in leaving comments on the project. On the other hand, creators can’t use this software in android and PC without macOS. 

Marvel

The main advantage of using Marvel is its compatibility with other applications like Photoshop. All you need to do is upload the file in Marvel and it will generate codes that you can use in design alteration. It makes the process simpler and more accessible.

 

Besides that, it also works with some popular storage cloud devices like Google Drive and Dropbox. It makes saving your project faster. You can sync your storage with the Marvel tools. This way, you All you need to do is open Marvel and access your storage from there.

Axure

Majority of the aforementioned tools can only work on a particular OS, either Windows or macOS. However, Axure allows you to design any project at any PC that you want. This tool is also perfect if you want to design a product without worrying about codes. You can still produce a high level of visual details despite the lack of technical codes like in other tools.

 

Axure is popular in big companies that have its own designing team. They can easily provide ideas about the project because of the easy access collaboration place for the team. Axure provides high-resolutions diagrams and sketches with the simple push of a button.

Industries Using Rapid Prototyping Services

As mentioned, rapid prototyping provides a lot of benefits to many industries. These industries have been more productive when using additive manufacturing. Let us check some of the major industries that uses rapid prototyping:

Engineering and Architecture

This is the most common user of 3D rapid prototyping. They use this process to create a prototype of their projects like infrastructures and building. Besides that, engineers and architects are also doing blueprints in rapid prototyping tools if they need to make some changes in their design.

Aerospace

Aerospace manufacturers use rapid prototyping in producing airplane parts like wings and engines. It allows them to test the parts first before using it in actual planes. It reduces the risk of any errors that will cost the lives of their passengers.

Maritime

3D printing technology is a new discovery in the maritime industry. Before the introduction of additive manufacturing, boat producers used other complex processes to create boats like CNC manufacturing. Right now, they use rapid prototyping to test the hydroelastic capability of their design. 

Robotics

The robotics industry is an ever changing sector. Yearly, there are a lot of new innovations to make our life easier. These robotic experiments are also expensive. That is why it is important to do a prototype first before approving a design. It allows scientists to see if their product is successful or if they need to change something in the design.

Automotive

There’s a lot of news about defective cars models that causes accidents and casualties. Cars manufacturers end up losing a lot of money by pulling out all of those products. That is why it’s  important to include rapid prototyping as part of the process. You will save yourself a lot of PR nightmare if someone goes array in your design after mass production.

 

Types of Rapid Prototyping

Rapid prototyping is a lot more complicated than you think. It involves a lot of process before arriving at the finished product. With this in mind, there are also types of rapid prototyping depending on the material that you will use. Here are some it:

• Stereolithography (SLA) – one of the most affordable 3D prototyping technique
• Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) – uses heat to sinter powdered filaments
• Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) – uses moving nozzle to release fibers of polymeric materials
• Selective Laser Melting (SLM) – perfect for complex and high-strength parts as it uses metal filament
• Laminated Object Manufacturing (OLM) – affordable like SLA but has a limit when it comes to complex designs
• Digital Light Processing (DLP) – provide a better quality and accurate prototype by using digital light projector

 

Generally speaking, you can use all of these methods to produce a 3D printed prototype of your product. However, make sure that you know the material of your product so you can choose properly. 

 

Rapid Prototyping Companies in the Philippines

There are a lot of companies in the Philippines that offer prototyping service. However, very few have other services outside prototyping. Some don’t have the ability to scan your existing product to perform reverse engineering. Therefore, you need to look for another company to do it for you.

 

Fortunately, 3D2GO is here to cater all of your 3D printing needs. We are the only end-to-end 3D printing company in the Philippines. It means you no longer have to look for another firm to do scanning and designing for you.

 

Here are some of the services we can do for you:

• 3D Scanning
• 3D Designing
• Reverse Engineering
• 3D Printing
• 3D Rapid Prototyping

 

Contact us today and let’s talk about your 3D printing project.