| 3D printing and rapid prototyping technology (RPT) | | | | prototyping technology. 3D printing would really |
| is on the verge of enhancing product availability | | | | open up a lot of alternatives for consumers when |
| for consumers. The technology once used only by | | | | it comes to producing just the right toys or |
| manufacturing industries is about to become | | | | models. Many times consumers are faced with |
| available for consumer use in their home or small | | | | purchasing only the products that are currently |
| business. Rapid prototyping technology will give an | | | | available because they lack production abilities. 3D |
| almost unlimited ability for production to the | | | | printers would remove such restrictions for the |
| average consumer. Just imagine that you have | | | | consumer allowing them to produce as many |
| lost a button to your favorite suit or dress and | | | | products as software is available. |
| there’s no time to purchase another. Is there | | | | 3D Printing: The Advantages of Rapid Prototyping |
| a solution? Yes there is, 3D Printing can produce | | | | in the Home |
| an exact replica of the bottom you need! Once | | | | As the implications for 3D printing and rapid |
| produced you sew it on and you are on your | | | | prototyping continue to unfold the ramifications |
| way. 3D printing can apply this rapid prototyping | | | | for the consumer to manufacture products at |
| technology for the consumer and in a variety of | | | | home are immense. If a new household product is |
| applications. The technology for 3D printers is | | | | desired by the consumer they can simply |
| computer assisted design software instructing the | | | | purchase a CAD file upload it and reproduce it. |
| printer to build a 3 dimensional model layer by | | | | Maybe that new kitchen tool seen on television |
| layer until an exact reproduction is produced. Just | | | | appeals to the consumer, 3D printers have the |
| think of the possibilities for consumers that 3D | | | | capability to produce it right in the home. Or |
| printers using rapid prototyping technology | | | | maybe a birthday is coming up and you saw the |
| propose, they are too vast to number. | | | | perfect gift, 3D printers can create that gift with |
| 3D Printing used for 3D Toys and Models | | | | rapid prototyping technology. |
| The use of 3D printing for making toys and | | | | Everyone with kids has toys and models that |
| models for the consumer right in their home is | | | | have missing or broken pieces that the kids |
| only one of many applications of rapid prototyping | | | | don’t use anymore. These items could be |
| technology. In this application the consumer would | | | | restored as 3D printers would be able to |
| purchase or download a (CAD) software package | | | | manufacture a new model or just the piece that |
| for the toy they wanted to produce and upload it | | | | needs replacing. Rapid prototyping technology and |
| into the hard-drive. One of many models of 3D | | | | 3D printings open up a whole host of new options |
| printing could then begin to manufacture the toy | | | | by allowing the consumer to play a larger role in |
| or model for the consumer. Options such as | | | | the design and manufacture of products they |
| customizing monograms or colors for the lucky | | | | wish to purchase. Because of 3D printing, the |
| recipient of the toy would be available to the | | | | days where consumers will have to settle for |
| consumer. In a short period of time a customized | | | | some products they are not 100% thrilled with will |
| toy would be ready for packaging, wrapping and | | | | be coming to an end. 3D printing will subsequently |
| gift giving. That special train or model car that you | | | | allow consumers to customized, design and |
| haven’t been able to locate for purchase | | | | manufacture many products on their own and in |
| could be produced by 3D printing and rapid | | | | their own homes. |