Rapid Manufacturing can be described as an 'AdditiveFabrication Technique' to manufacture solid objects through the chronologicaldelivery of material and/or energy to precise points in the space for producingthat part. At present, the practice of controlling the process of manufacturingwith the help of computer by making use of mathematical model that has beencreated through the computer's aid is being followed. Rapid manufacturing, ifdone with the help of Parallel Batch Production is capable of providing a hugeadvantage in terms of cost and speed in comparison with alternative techniquesof manufacturing like die casting or Plastic Injection Molding.

Origin: Rapid Manufacturing process was firstdemonstrated at The AUTO FACT show. The venue was Detroit, MI. The year was1987. This creation is attributed to 3D Systems Company. The technologiesavailable now are inclusive of processes such as Laminated ObjectManufacturing, Shape Deposition Manufacturing, and Selective LaserSintering. 

The present scenario: Rapid manufacturingmight involve replacement parts, custom parts, series production, or Short RunProduction. This process can be referred to as Rapid Prototyping only if theuse of the part is for development. Rapid Manufacturing carried out for bigproducts with Layer-based Manufacturing from composite materials, plastics, ormetals is widely used for numerous industrial applications pertaining toaerospace (Boeing) and military (MPH-Optomec) sectors. Micro systemapplications and small products are well known in medicines, sensortechnologies (micro TEC), and diagnostics. Batch production regarding tinyparts by techniques of rapid manufacturing like RMPD give vent to advantagesrelated to time and cost.

Now days, collectibles, consumer products, orthodontics,dentistry, jewelry, motor sports, and automotives are being experimented withrapid manufacturing. Amazing results are expected in future. The world economyis becoming competitive day by day. Manufacturers are facing the challenge todeliver novel customized products faster than before for meeting customerdemands. A late delivery or development might could mean failure of business.Rapid manufacturing has been devised with the objective of shortening the productioncycle and design, and promising to revolutionize the age-old manufacturingprocedures.

The initial process: Before starting with theconstruction of product, a prototype or sample is required quite often as aportion of design cycle, for allowing evaluation, testing, or demonstration ofproposed product. This process is iterative, as a chain of prototypes getsbuilt up. These prototypes can then be used for testing various options.

Rapid Manufacturing is also inclusive of rapid applicationof tools needed for production on a large scale, like jigs, dies, and speciallyshaped molds. Several Layer manufacturing Processes are being developed now, bymaking use of a wide range of materials. Parts produced so far have proven tobe steadily durable. The size has also been increasing. Due to all thesesuccesses, layer manufacturing is the most sought after technique forfabricating the parts for functional prototypes as well as production tools.The process of applying layer manufacturing for making components utilized inproduction can be called Rapid Tooling. It is being applied to investmentcasting, injection molding, and many processes related to mold casting.

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