DeskProto is a state-of-the-art CAM software for Rapid Prototyping. Through the combination of a simple-to-use milling machine and DeskProto the user is able to do modeling in a very easy way. Compared to stereolithography or any other layer oriented system this way of modeling is not only much cheaper but also much faster. No need anymore to wait a number of days, your prototype is ready within hours!
DeskProto
works with STL files which is the standard for Rapid Prototyping. Any current 3D
CAD-system is able to write this type of file.This file contains a geometry-description in the form of small triangles connected at their edges to form a surfae. On the left you can clearly see the triangles. On the right you can see the "rendered" image.
The way it works!
It is not possible to create new "images" in DeskProto. Geometries are created in another 3D-CAD system and are being exported as a STL fiel.
File types such as 3D DXF (made by “3D Studio Max” for example) and VRML files can be used as well.
After importing the STL file the geometry can be rotates, scaled, etc. After entering the desired tools DeskProto will automatically calculate the milling paths. It cannot be simpler!
Send the created file to your 3D milling machine and within a few hours you will have the prototype on your desk. It cannot be faster!
Advantages of Rapid Prototyping
- Saving of time during the design process: an earlier product introduction will give you an important time advantage over the competition (Time to Market).
- Saving of money by automatically creating prototypes instead of by hand.
- Improving product quality by testing and improving the design in an early stage of the design process, long before production tooling.
- Improving communication within the design team and with third parties. The customer can see what he will get and can decide much faster.
Advantages of NC miling vs. layer oriented techniques
- Affordable machines make it possible to create the prototypes in-house, much faster than by a service bureau: interactive prototyping.
- No problems with STL files that contain inconsistencies.
- Large prototypes can be easily produced, using a large CNC milling machine or by combining seperate parts or seperate layers.
- Lower price per prototype
- Free choice of materials
- Free choice of accuracy: a higher accuracy than stereolithography is easy because with NC milling the prototype does not deform after creation.
- Easy transfer to production tooling, which will also be done using NC milling.
Loading of a STL file and generating milling paths.
Advantages of DeskProto versus conventional CAM software
- Easier to be used: while conventional CAM software requires a trained CNC operator to correctly set all parameters, DeskProto can be operated by a designer without CNC training.
- Faster operation: while using conventional CAM software it takes hours of work to create and test the milling paths, DeskProto does the job fast, fully automatically and completely reliable
- Price: DeskProto is much cheaper than any other 3D CAM software
