Rapid manufacturing is a process in which computer software is used to produce manufacturing equipment at a large scale in less time. Automated software is connected to the manufacturing equipment to make the process faster. In rapid manufacturing, different methods are applied to make some series parts or prototypes. The selection of the automated software that is to be used in manufacturing the equipment depends upon the type of equipment that is to be made.  Computer Aided drawing software is used to make the design prototypes. These days, 3D printing techniques can also be used. Different materials can be used for rapid manufacturing. The most commonly used materials for rapid manufacturing are glass, ceramics, plastics, or metals. With the advancement in technology, ultraviolet sol-gel has made its way to be used along with the latter mentioned materials. Samples can be taken before the final production of a product. If the sample shows some irregularities, then steps can be taken to optimize the product, and hence précised product can be obtained. Moreover, any irregularity in the product is managed by automated software. This thing has enabled many manufacturing companies to manufacture products in a faster way. It has also enabled them to make the products of desired specifications at relatively low cost.

Types of Rapid Manufacturing:

There are many types of rapid manufacturing but some of the main types include CNC machining, 3D printing, injection molding, and metal fabrication. In metal fabrication, cutting, molding, forming, machining are welding are included. This type of rapid machining is mainly used to manufacture heavy products. Parts for small functioning can also be made by this technique. In Injection Molding, large-volume and heavy-mass products are used. In this method, the solid material is converted into liquid. This liquid is poured into a shape that has desired specifications. The liquid is poured with the help of injection pressure. After injecting the liquid, it is allowed to rest. After some time, the product with desired specifications is achieved. The 3D printing technique is the latest. In this process, the materials are rearranged with the help of a printing device. It is mainly used for plastics but other materials can also be reshaped by this technique. The most commonly used 3D printing types are Fused Deposition Molding (FDM), Selective laser sintering (SLS), and Selective laser melting (SLM). As far as CNC machining is concerned, it uses automated software for the production of different materials. The process of grinding, cutting, welding, molding, and removing unwanted products is done with the help of computer-aided software. In this technique, the cutting is usually done with the help of a laser. The most famous types of CNC machining include milling machines and Water Jet lasers (WJL).  A diverse range of materials can be undertaken by this technique. Plastics, wood, composites, glass, acrylic materials, and very hard materials can be reshaped by this technique.

Which technique is to be used for rapid manufacturing?

Each type of rapid manufacturing has its limitations and benefits. CNC machining can be used for diverse and hard materials but produces a small number of parts. To have a specified internal lattice structure, 3D printing is best to use. Similarly, injection molding produces mass products in a row. Metal fabrication is best suitable to form fabricated metal items.