Rapid prototyping versus virtual prototyping in product design and manufacturing

Rapid prototyping (RP) is the production of a physical model from a computer model without the need for any jig or fixture or numerically controlled (NC) programming. This technology has also been referred to as layer manufacturing, material deposit manufacturing, material addition manufacturing, solid freeform manufacturing and three-dimensional printing. In the last decade, a number of RP techniques has been developed. These techniques use different approaches or materials in producing prototypes and they give varying shrinkage, surface finish and accuracy.