Rise of the machines: Has rapid prototyping evolved faster than the software used to create it? The limitations of computer aided design in rapid prototyping of organic forms

摘要

Industrial design is a highly involved, complex and iterative process. However, it is often ill-defined (Chandrasegaran, Ramani et al. 2013). Advances in computer aided design have significantly reduced time between iterations in the virtual design process. Rapid prototyping offers the opportunity to produce physical iterations quickly and inexpensively. While rapid prototyping has become a useful tool for validation of end product results, its capabilities have been underutilised in the design process and iteration of organic forms. This study proposes a design methodology for the application of rapid prototyping in the iterative design of organic forms, and looks at the limitations dictated by current computer aided design packages.