The prototype is called the first edition in some cases. As the name implies, it is based on the appearance drawings and structure of the product before mass production.

The drawings are generally made out of a small number of samples first, which are used to check the appearance of the product or the functional model of the rational structure.

So which industries are the precise users of prototype factories or prototype companies? Using the big data tools of the webmaster’s home, we search for prototypes

With this keyword, it is found that industries such as automobiles, home appliances, electrical appliances, toys, medical equipment, and technology are in high demand. For these

The industry makes prototypes and rapid molds, the common domestic methods are: CNC machining, SLA, SLS, SLM, FDM, vacuum complex mold,

Low-pressure infusion, sheet metal production, we will compare this in terms of definition, materials used, software use, machinable parts, advantages and disadvantages

Several prototype processing methods.

1. CNC machining

CNC machining is a computer numerically controlled machine tool, which is made by cutting a whole plate according to the programmed program by controlling the tool path. It is currently the most widely used in China.

Extensive production methods of prototypes, complicated operation methods, require operators to have rich experience.

Mainly used in the processing of plastic and metal plates. It can be cut on all plates in the market. It is a material reduction technology that can only process

The rounded corners of a certain radian can not be directly processed to make the inner right angles, and it must be realized by wire cutting/sparking and other processes.
2. SLA
SLA is a three-dimensional light-curing molding method, a type of 3D printing technology. The materials used are mostly resin, and ultraviolet rays of specific wavelength and intensity are used.

The laser is focused on the surface of the photosensitive resin to solidify layer by layer, and finally layer by layer is superimposed to form a three-dimensional entity.
All 3D printing is a kind of additive technology, from 0 to 1. SLA is the earliest rapid prototyping manufacturing process with high maturity.

Prototypes are directly made from CAD digital models, fast processing speed, short product production cycle, no cutting tools and molds, can be processed

Prototypes and molds that have complex structures or are difficult to form using traditional methods.
SLA equipment is expensive and requires relatively high factory environment. After the mold is formed, the strength, rigidity, and heat resistance are limited, which is not conducive to long-term storage.
3.SLS
SLS is selective laser melting, a type of 3D printing technology. The current mature process materials are wax powder and plastic powder. Laser beam pairing during printing

The flat powder is selectively sintered, one layer is completed and the powder box is lowered, and then a layer of powder is laser sintered, and all the powder is sintered.

By removing the excess powder, a sintered part can be obtained.
The hand plate mold made by SLS has high strength and good toughness. It can be used to make bearings, gears, precision parts, and electronic parts. Because it does not need support,

The utilization rate of the material is high; but it is polluted during the processing of the prototype; the speed is relatively slow.
4.SLM
SLM is selected area laser melting molding technology. It is the most common technology in metal 3D printing molding. It uses finely focused light spot to quickly

Melting the preset metal powder directly obtains parts with any shape and complete metallurgical bonding, and the obtained production density can reach

99% or more.
In the process of making prototype molds by SLM, because the parts are usually complex, supporting materials need to be printed, and the supports need to be removed after the parts are completed.

And the surface of the part is processed, so the production time will be longer and the cost will be higher.
5.FDM
FDM is the fusion molding method. The materials of FDM are generally thermoplastic materials, such as wax, ABS, nylon, etc., which are fed in filaments. Material in

The nozzle is heated and melted. The nozzle moves along the part's cross-sectional contour and filling trajectory, and at the same time extrudes the molten material, the material solidifies rapidly,

And condense with surrounding materials.
In the process of FDM making prototype molds, the price is relatively low, the materials are safe and harmless, there is no mold cost, and it can be produced in a variety of colors.

However, hollow products cannot be printed.
The FDM processed hand plate mold has obvious stripes, and the molding accuracy is relatively low. It needs to design and manufacture the supporting structure, and the molding time is longer.
6. Vacuum complex mold
Vacuum complex mold is to use the product prototype (such as: SLA or prototype processing) to make a silicone mold in a vacuum state, and in the vacuum state

The PU material is used for pouring, thereby cloning the same replica as the product prototype.
Vacuum lamination is currently the most commonly used prototype copy technology in the world; the technology can be applied to change the material of product prototypes and assemble prototypes

Or conduct small-batch production of products to meet the needs of performance testing, market promotion, inspection, and approval during product development;

Different PU materials can be used to replicate rubber parts, transparent parts, high temperature resistant parts, etc. Common PU materials are more brittle, tough and resistant

The high temperature is relatively poor.
7. Low pressure perfusion
Low-pressure infusion, also known as low-pressure reaction injection molding, is a new process used in the production of rapid molding products. It uses two-component polyurethane materials

After mixing, it is injected into the rapid mold under normal temperature and low pressure environment, and the material is polymerized, crosslinked, cured and other chemical and physical processes.

The process forms a product.
The low-pressure perfusion generation prototype mold has the advantages of high efficiency, short production cycle, simple process and low cost, and is suitable for product development

In the process, small batch trial production, as well as small batch production, simple structure cover parts and large thick wall and uneven wall thickness products production.
8. Sheet metal production
Sheet metal production refers to the processing of metal plates such as steel plates, aluminum plates, and copper plates, including laser cutting, stamping, bending, etc., sheet metal processing

The remarkable characteristic of the raw material is the same thickness of the same part.