Rapid Prototyping is a group of techniques used to quickly fabricate a scale model of a physical part or assembly using 3D computer aided design (CAD) data. Construction of the part or assembly is usually done using 3D printing or “additive layer manufacturing” technology.

We want also to show you the steps for a prototype's realization. Rapid Prototyping can be compared to the operation of printing a text, just a little bit more complicated. In short here are the steps that lead to the creation of a prototype:

1. Creating a .STL file: realization of a 3D-mathematical model with the resulting creation of a .STL extension file (Standard Triangulation Language).

The STL-model must be developed with a software which also creates brackets, if they're necessary (brackets are model's external elements, but they allow its realization).
2. Managing the .STL file: make sure that the .STL file is errors free
3. Prototype construction (layer by layer technique): send the machine the .STL file: it will proceed with the deposition of material layer by layer until you get the final object
4. Post treatments: remove the printed object from the machine and free it from any material in excess and make any additional finishes.

After the theoretical explanation of Rapid Prototyping's meaning, it's now time to move into the practical part, in order to undertstand how a prototype works and its application in various sectors. The application fields of Rapid Prototyping are many and very different from one to another. We want to show you some of these fields in which Rapid Prototyping works, in order to make clear the vastness of prototype's employment.