Research Questions
What does CAD stand for? Computer Aided Design
What is a prototype? And why is prototyping important? A prototype is a early model built to test a design or process or to be replicated and learned from. It is important to have a prototype so the designer/s can test the safety of the design and the suitability of the design.
What is Rapid-Prototyping? Rapid Prototyping is techniques used to quickly make a scale model of part or assembly using CAD.
Before Rapid-Prototyping, how were prototypes manufactured? Before Rapid-Prototyping, Topography and photosculpture were used to test designs.
What is the difference between a prototype and a production design? A prototype is used to test the design of a certain idea, where as a production design is the final design used to show businesses to have them stock that certain item.
What is the difference between a visual prototype and a functional prototype? A visual prototype is a picture or drawing of what the final design should look like, these are used to show potential customers or businesses. A functional prototype is a model of the design that has been made which works.
What is 3D Printing? 3D printing is a process of making a 3D solid object of any shape designed on a digital model. The 3D printing procedure is made using an additive process, layers of material are laid down in different shapes, slowly creating a 3D object.
What does the term CNC stand for in the design and technology industries? Computer Numerical Control. It means that a computer converts the design produced by CAD, into numbers.
What is an STL file? STL or stereolithography is a certain file used for the CAD software created by a 3D system.