The prototype can be divided into two types according to the production method:
The first is the manual prototype, according to the literal meaning, we can know that this kind of prototype is made out by pure manual.
The second is the numerical control prototype, which is mainly designed by numerical control machine. It is directly made by machine not through any handwork. Since the difference of the equipment for CNC machine, the numerical control prototype can be divided into two types:
The first is laser rapid prototyping, also called RP. This prototype is made out by CNC laser with rapid prototyping characteristics.
The second is machining center prototype, also called
CNC prototype, which is made by CNC machine.
RP is mainly produced by rapid prototyping technology, which makes use of accumulation principle of rapid prototyping. Therefore, the drawback of the RP is that the finished prototype is relatively rough and have requirements on the wall thickness of the product, for example, the thickness is too thin to produce.
Compare to the RP, the
CNC prototype produced by machining center can better reflect the drawing information and it is very precise, the quality of the product is very high. After sprayed on the surface, the luster effect is better than the molded product. Therefore,
CNC prototype will gradually become the mainstream of the market.
