Historically, the use of the term Rapid Prototyping was broadly used in reference to an array of additive fabrication technologies. In 2009, ASTM International formed ASTM Committee F42 on Additive Manufacturing Technologies. Among other things, F42 is working to establish a common lexicon in the industry.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) – The collective term (“family name”) for those technologies that, in an automatic process, produces three-dimensional objects directly from a digital model by the successive addition of material(s), without the use of specialized tooling. AKA: Additive Fabrication, Solid Freeform Fabrication. Contrast with subtractive and formative manufacturing.

Rapid Prototyping (RP) – The use of AM in the product “design process” from concept to fit and functional testing.

Rapid Tooling (RT) – The use of AM techniques for tool development. This includes, for example, SLA patterns used in investment casting, and RTV. One could also directly fabricate tooling from the inverse CAD part model.

Rapid Manufacturing (RM) – Direct production of “Finished Goods” through the process of Additive Manufacturing. AKA Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM), Direct Part Production.

Whether for concept prototypes, functional prototypes, hybrid tooling, and DDM, additive manufacturing technology will compress time to market and create opportunities for improved quality and efficiency throughout the product development life cycle