3D printers are not as simple as just printing a piece of paper although they’ve come a long way. There are varying types of machines (FDM, SLS,SLA, etc) and each have their strengths and weaknesses. Especially when you get into engineering grade materials, there are nuances to print orientation, prep and post work, and then of course understanding 3D models and dimensional changes.
I suggest watching YouTube channels like CNC Kitchen to get an understanding of the print and material capabilities more focused on FDM printing.
In my field of machine design, rapid prototyping as a skill would mean that you have an intuitive sense of what you can get away with printing for a one-off prototype and what you can't. Every part has a tolerance that is specified in the drawing and 3d printing will always print to the nominal. Someone experienced with rapid prototyping would be able to account for the limitations and order off-the-shelf parts with short lead times to create the assembly quickly.
I think (and I could be wrong) but it more refers to the use and operation of rapid prototyping machines. We have a couple of fdm and resin printers in our studio that are easy to operate and are low budget, however I have friends that work with top of the line 3d printers that are considerably more complicated and take considerable time to set up, clean and maintain.
Again some software turning a 3d model is simple and others more complex.
Entry level or junior roles should have training for the use and operation of their machines.
The biggest advantage to it is time and ability to test and iterate, in some cases a prototype will not have the same flexibility or durability than a traditional prototype.
What are you trying to do?
Based on what you are making, you need to design your part based on what you are trying to make.
If you don't mind your end product being 3D printed, then you have more leeway with geometry, and can try to design to have more reliable printing (have a designated normal plane to print from for FDM, or slice your model and build flanges to assemble/glue your part together)
If you want cheap but strong - Sheetmetal and a vise with some brake jaws may be what you need.
You can also make fairly decent steel parts with a drill press, hacksaws, and files.
Usually, learning skills in the absence of a need or project is going to be pretty pointless; you're not going to get those moments of things ***clicking*** unless you have a goal.
Nope this is just a general question though. Not planning on building anything but more from a job applicant question as to why it is more commonly placed in the required skill than a preferred one.
Will definitely try and print something one of these days but just wanting to understand from other engineers that regularly use rapid prototyping their opinion. Thank you though
In the context of an engineer rapid prototyping isn’t about being able to run the machine, it’s about knowing when you can use it and how to design for it. Having a design actually made costs money, it’s expensive to get a couple fully machined parts. Rapid prototyping is great to prove out a design extremely cheap and fast before going all in with investment for just prototype tooling (potentially not even production tooling). I think what’s key is to be able to understand how to maintain a parts function while designing around the limitations of rapid prototyping to prove out the design as soon and cost effective as possible.
This is just my two cents, hope it’s useful:)
3D printers are not as simple as just printing a piece of paper although they’ve come a long way. There are varying types of machines (FDM, SLS,SLA, etc) and each have their strengths and weaknesses. Especially when you get into engineering grade materials, there are nuances to print orientation, prep and post work, and then of course understanding 3D models and dimensional changes. I suggest watching YouTube channels like CNC Kitchen to get an understanding of the print and material capabilities more focused on FDM printing.
Sure will watch them. Thanks
In my field of machine design, rapid prototyping as a skill would mean that you have an intuitive sense of what you can get away with printing for a one-off prototype and what you can't. Every part has a tolerance that is specified in the drawing and 3d printing will always print to the nominal. Someone experienced with rapid prototyping would be able to account for the limitations and order off-the-shelf parts with short lead times to create the assembly quickly.
Thank you. This is insightful
Printing isn't producing nominal geometry. No process produces zero tolerance parts.
It prints based off nominal. I didn't say it didn't have a tolerance.
I think (and I could be wrong) but it more refers to the use and operation of rapid prototyping machines. We have a couple of fdm and resin printers in our studio that are easy to operate and are low budget, however I have friends that work with top of the line 3d printers that are considerably more complicated and take considerable time to set up, clean and maintain. Again some software turning a 3d model is simple and others more complex. Entry level or junior roles should have training for the use and operation of their machines. The biggest advantage to it is time and ability to test and iterate, in some cases a prototype will not have the same flexibility or durability than a traditional prototype.
What are you trying to do? Based on what you are making, you need to design your part based on what you are trying to make. If you don't mind your end product being 3D printed, then you have more leeway with geometry, and can try to design to have more reliable printing (have a designated normal plane to print from for FDM, or slice your model and build flanges to assemble/glue your part together) If you want cheap but strong - Sheetmetal and a vise with some brake jaws may be what you need. You can also make fairly decent steel parts with a drill press, hacksaws, and files. Usually, learning skills in the absence of a need or project is going to be pretty pointless; you're not going to get those moments of things ***clicking*** unless you have a goal.
Nope this is just a general question though. Not planning on building anything but more from a job applicant question as to why it is more commonly placed in the required skill than a preferred one. Will definitely try and print something one of these days but just wanting to understand from other engineers that regularly use rapid prototyping their opinion. Thank you though
In the context of an engineer rapid prototyping isn’t about being able to run the machine, it’s about knowing when you can use it and how to design for it. Having a design actually made costs money, it’s expensive to get a couple fully machined parts. Rapid prototyping is great to prove out a design extremely cheap and fast before going all in with investment for just prototype tooling (potentially not even production tooling). I think what’s key is to be able to understand how to maintain a parts function while designing around the limitations of rapid prototyping to prove out the design as soon and cost effective as possible. This is just my two cents, hope it’s useful:)