Stereolithography is the first Rapid Prototyping (or RP) process and is still used 90% of the time. And although this fabrication process is used in Rapid Prototyping, a more current term, Rapid Manufacturing (or RM) is used because quite often the parts created can be used as end use parts. It allows for parts with complex geometries and intricate details to be built with the highest of accuracy.

http://cadmodels.org/?q=Stereolithography

Since the earliest days of rapid prototyping, experts have envisioned the application of the technology in the manufacturing process, and the focus of this vision has been on the initial cost and time savings that are realized when tooling is eliminated. However, the relative impact pales in comparison to the wide ranging advantages that exist when rapid manufacturing is implemented.

It is difficult to imagine a world without plastic injection molded parts. From the smallest keys of a cell phone to the plastic furniture on a porch, plastics are everywhere. New materials are being developed all the time that are stronger, more resistant to chemicals, and function at higher temperatures, allowing designers to utilize injection molded plastics where they would have used metals or ceramics before.

One of the most powerful advantages associated with CAD modeling is the ability to create physical 3D prototypes of the design using the actual CAD model data itself. These prototypes can be used to evaluate the shape of the product for aesthetics or ergonomics, testing and verifying component performance, and to ensure part fits and function before committing to production tooling, such as injection molds and die casting dies.

Due to the advent of collaborative web and information sharing technologies, we as product developers, engineers and manufacturers are seeing a greater number of upstarts, first timers and "newbies" attempting to enter the product development, intellectual property and inventor's arena. There are many potential pitfalls involved in the process of bringing products forward for commercialization and sale. Anyone hoping to simply "invent a better mousetrap" should read this article carefully and consider whether or not they have an economically viable program.