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Rapid prototyping (RP) is a design workflow that consists of ideation, prototyping and testing.

It helps designers quickly discover and validate their best ideas.

So what about RP with laser technology?
Yes, it is Laser Rapid Prototyping (LPR), a new manufacturing technology that integrates CAD, CAM, CNC, laser precision machining, and with new materials.

It is commonly known as 3D Printing, but not just 3D Printing.

Compared with traditional manufacturing methods, it has advantages as below: 

1. Prototypes are highly replicable and interchangeable; 
2. Manufacturing process is no limited by the geometry of the manufacturing prototype; 
3. Processing cycle is short, low cost, the general manufacturing cost is reduced by 50%, and the processing cycle is shortened by more than 70%; 
4. Technology integration to realize the integration of design and manufacturing.

Below are main LPR types:

Stereolithography (SLA)	SLA technology is also known as light curing rapid prototyping technology.It uses a bath of photosensitive liquid which is solidified layer-by-layer using a computer-controlled ultra violet (UV) light. 355nm, 405nm, 410nm, ect.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)	Similar to SLA, SLS uses a powder materials instead of photosensitive liquid, in this process a high power laser beam selectively melts and fuses powdered material layer-by-layer.
Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)	LOM is less sophisticated than SLM or SLS, but it does not require specially controlled conditions.  LOM builds up a series of thin laminates that have been accurately cut with high power laser beams or another cutting device to create the CAD pattern design.  Each layer is delivered and bonded on top of the previous one until the part is complete.
Laser cladding forming (LCF)	LCF use a laser beam with a high energy density to make a special properties material  cladding on the base material surface, fusing with the base material to form an alloy cladding layer with completely different composition and properties from the base.
Laser forming (LF)	Laser forming is a highly flexible rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing process, which uses laser-induced thermal distortion to shape sheet metal parts without hard tooling or external forces.  Its advantages include easiness to control, eliminated need for tooling and contact, excellent energy efficiency, variety of applications, and possibility to form hard-to-formed materials.

If you are interested in Laser Rapid Prototyping, SLA/SLS technology, 3D printing, welcome to communication!

Reference:

1. https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/faq-manufacturing-what-is-rapid-prototyping

2. https://www.protosystech.com/rapid-prototyping.htm