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3D printing and rapid prototyping technology (RPT) is on the verge of improving product availability for consumers. The technology once employed only by manufacturing industries is about to become available for consumer use in their home or small business. Rapid prototyping technology will give an almost unlimited ability for production to the average consumer. Just imagine that you have lost a button to your favorite shirt or dress and there’s no time to purchase another. Is there a solution? Once produced you sew it on and you are on your way. 3D printing is able to apply this rapid prototyping technology for the consumer and in a diversity of applications. The technology for 3D printers is computer aided design software instructing the printer to build a 3 dimensional model layer by layer until an exact reproduction is produced. Just think of the possibilities for customers that 3D printers using rapid prototyping technology proposes, they are too vast to number.

3D Printing used for 3D Toys and Models. The use of 3D printing for making toys and models for the customer right in their home is only one of many applications of rapid prototyping technology. In this application the consumer would buy or download a (CAD) software package for the toy they wanted to make and upload it into the hard-drive. One of many models of 3D printing could then begin to manufacture the toy or model for the consumer. Options for example customizing monograms or colors for the fortunate recipient of the toy would be available to the customer. In a short period of time a customized toy would be ready for packaging, wrapping and gift giving. That special train or model car that you couldn’t locate for purchase could be made by 3D printing and rapid prototyping technology. 3D printing would really open up a lot of alternatives for consumers if it comes to producing just the right toys or models.

3D printing: the advantages of rapid prototyping in the home. As the implications for 3D printing and rapid prototyping continue to unfold the ramifications for the customer to manufacture products at home are immense. If a new household product is desired by the consumer they can simply purchase a CAD file, upload it and reproduce it. Maybe that new kitchen tool seen on television appeals to the consumer, 3D printers have the capability to create it right in the home. Or maybe a birthday is coming up and you saw the ideal gift, 3D printers can create that gift with rapid prototyping technology (more illustrations can be see at www.materialise.com).

As we show it at materialise.com/rapid-prototyping, rapid prototyping technology and 3D printings open up a whole host of new options by allowing the consumer to play a larger role in the design and production of products they wish to purchase. Please visit materialise.com/rapid-prototyping to see how 3D printing allows consumers to customize, design and manufacture a lot of products on their own and in their own homes.