What is Rapid Prototyping?

Rapid prototyping is a technology used to create medical models of any complexity directly from digital data such as computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Complex 2D images are converted into 3D models that can be easily manipulated for a complete understanding of the anatomy and pathologies.

Several rapid prototyping technologies exist. The most used ones are 3D printing, stereolithography, fused deposition modelling, and selective laser sintering.

All rapid prototyping techniques are based on the same principle of building prototypes layer by layer from the bottom up.

We chose to use 3D printing in our company for all the benefits it provides:

3D printers are 5 to 10 times faster than other rapid prototyping technologies.

3D printers deliver highly accurate models. All structures including internal can be reproduced just from imaging data.

3D printers operate like 2D inkjet printers. Multiple print-heads support full-colour printing and produce millions of distinct colours. High-quality colour models allow the addition of annotations and bone density maps.

3D printing is the fastest and most cost-effective rapid prototyping technology available to make monochrome or polychrome physical models.