3D printing as a tool for predicting the mechanical-functional behavior of components and mechanical systems.

Rapid prototyping is a technology that can automatically construct physical models from Computer Aided Design (CAD) data or is a group of techniques used to quickly fabricate a scale model of a physical part or assembly using three-dimensional computer aided design (CAD) data. This technic allows to minimize the possible human mistakes caused by a bad operator intervention, and represents a significant saving thanks to its accuracy, providing excellent visual aids for communicating ideas with co-workers or customers apart from design testing. The rapid prototyping area, where 3D models are converted into real models through different systems of manufacture, explores the possibilities offered by this technology for an engineer to design systems and devices before its final construction. As result it is observed an ostensible reduction in mechanical systems development times and its components; since functionality and usability of with rapid prototyping these corrections can be made. This document provides information about the use of Rapid Prototyping for specimens' preparation and general configurations for construction of functional models.