This book discusses the latest rapid tooling (RT) technologies under development and in use for the timely production of molds and manufacturing tools, and describes current applications within various leading companies.Guides product and manufacturing process development groups on ways to reduce investments of money and time! Advocating the adoption of rapid production and rapid manufacturing methods by documenting genuine benefits, Rapid Toolingsupplies information on how dominant end-use customer segments use RT to enhance product developmentsummarizes major commercial approaches to rapid manufacturingcovers computer-based tools focusing on the use of CAD and CAE simulation to evaluate functionality and means of production covers concept definition, task management, the role of suppliers, initial prototyping, and tooling requirementsaddresses alternatives to conventional machined prototype and product molds and more!Illuminating the problems, challenges, and opportunities associated with significantly reducing the product development cycle, Rapid Tooling is an outstanding reference for manufacturing, materials, industrial, mechanical, quality, and reliability engineers; production and operations managers in manufacturing; estimators; and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in these disciplines.