How many rapid technologies does a company need?

This paper shows the state of the art of rapid technologies and their implementation in the phases of product engineering. To answer the question how many rapid technologies companies need, the potential of technologies has to be evaluated. But it seems that digital and virtual technologies have more importance for the future of rapid technoligies than those which lead to the demonstration of design models only. The main request for physical rapids is coming from the need for physical tests of products. For this, conventional and new mainly laser assisted technologies are needed. Companies have to reorganise the industrial engineering. This is where the digital factory and rapid technologies have to be integrated. Fast engineering,fast prototyping and fast ramp-up of series manufacturing is the need of industrial companies in order to reduce cost and time for the development of innovative products.