The established commercially available rapid prototyping techniques are now well
known throughout the manufacturing community. They are able to produce high quality,
accurate prototypes, but are limited largely to processing polymer, wax or paper materials.
Where a metal part is required, then a further process step, such as investment casting using
the prototype part as a pattern is required. As a further point most of the above systems are
high capital cost dedicated pieces of equipment.
This paper describes the use of laser machining centres as rapid prototyping tools in
the areas of, laminated prototyping, using both paper and metal, and laser forming.Mechanical Engineerin