| The newest trend is called rapid prototyping. | | | | Many other kinds of prototypes don't carry the real |
| Advancements in machining speed and flexibility | | | | properties that the customer is trying to simulate. Most |
| combined with sophisticated electronic computer | | | | rapid prototypes are made from the raw material |
| interfaces allow for cost-effective, exact metal sample | | | | intended for the final product, which makes it identical |
| parts or molds for plastic injection parts. | | | | to what is actually going to be put in production. |
| Technical and application engineers at Makino, a global | | | | Customers can get a hardened steel or prehardened |
| provider of advanced machining technology, say that | | | | steel part or mold in five or six weeks versus 10 or 12 |
| such advanced machining technology permits | | | | weeks from previous processes. This is a timesavings |
| companies to cut manufacturing steps. These | | | | they appreciate in an effort to get their product to |
| eliminated steps are primarily created because steel | | | | market faster and less expensively. |
| can now be milled as quickly and cost-effectively as | | | | Technological advancements like CAD and other |
| aluminum or other lighter materials. | | | | sophisticated computer interfaces can positively |
| Such progress allows mold builders and other | | | | combine with state-of-the-art machine tools that are |
| manufacturers to actually develop applications which | | | | accurate, rigid and stable in order to achieve maximum |
| can be utilized immediately to make more products. | | | | results. Customers can save up to two-thirds of the |
| This allows their customers to get new products to | | | | total time originally required by more traditional mold |
| market faster. | | | | building processes. |