Achieving New Efficiencies in Rapid Prototyping: 3 Case Studies

New 3D printing technology has signaled a far more cost-efficient approach to rapid prototyping, by enabling physical models 3D models to be “printed” directly from CAD files to 3D inkjet-type printers that layer low-cost materials into fully modeled 3D forms. The merging of 3D printing technology with Windows-based computer-aided design represents a paradigm shift for the role prototyping will play in all product development disciplines to come. This paper explores the trend via three case studies on manufacturers Timberland, Black & Decker, and Continental Tire.