快速原型技術（RP）越來越被認為是一種在削減產品周期的戰斗中的重要技術。在世界各地，RP技術在縮短上市時間和降低產品開發成本方面都發揮著巨大的作用。隨著該領域的許多研究正在進行中，為了充分利用RP工藝的最新進展，跟上活動的步伐是至關重要的。這一國際知名的信息資源主要側重于制造環境中的快速產品開發，同時也涵蓋了醫學和建筑等其他領域的應用，為這一充滿活力和激動人心的領域提供了真正的全球視角。

Rapid prototyping (RP) is increasingly being recognised as a significant technique in the battle to trim product cycles. All over the world, RP techniques are having a dramatic effect on reducing time to market, as well as cutting the costs of product development. With much research under way in the field, it is vital to keep pace with activities in order to take full advantage of the latest advances in RP processes. Focusing primarily on rapid product development in a manufacturing environment, but also covering applications within other areas such as medicine and construction, this internationally acclaimed information resource provides truly global perspectives on this dynamic and exciting area.