Some chose the term simply because it is the latest buzzword. Others have elected to use rapid prototyping to convey that the company has kept pace with technology or to assure prospects of fast delivery. Rapid prototyping loses even more of its meaning when reviewing applications outside of mechanical engineering and product design. Within the article, the author discussed the advantage of rapid prototyping website designs and structure not exactly what those familiar with SLA, SLS, and FDM would have expected. With such a diversity of definition, the name cannot stand on its own.
People are most comfortable with labels that clearly and concisely provide meaning.
And rapid prototyping is no longer clear or concise. Change is Challenging Even though the definition is varied and the application of the term diverse, rapid prototyping continues to be the commonly used term to describe processes like stereolithography, selective laser sintering and fused deposition modeling. And it will continue to be used to describe these technologies for years to come. Rapid prototyping will not be easily displaced. It is a well established name that is both attractive and commonly used.