Rapid Prototype Manufacturing

Custom Rapid Prototyping Manufacturing

Custom rapid prototyping manufacturing is an important factor for the development of parts and products. Product engineers and designers use this process to prove concept models using basic tools. However, producing functional prototypes requires the same processes as that of finished products. The use of traditional manufacturing processes such as CNC and injection molding are quite costly. This is due to the setup and tooling that makes low-volume production of custom prototypes impossible. Rapid prototyping comes in as a high-volume low-cost production method that enables companies to turn concepts into realistic proof. It is also less risky and validates ideas. Here is a highlight of what is rapid prototyping and some of its applications.

What Is Custom Rapid Prototyping Manufacturing?

Rapid prototyping is a group of techniques that quickly makes scale models into a physical part. It uses the guidance of a 3D dimensional CAD file. The technique is also synonymous with additive manufacturing. This is because it makes parts through additive fabrication techniques. The steps in rapid prototyping are prototyping, testing, and refining. These steps need the following so that the prototype can improve during testing. It involves getting new ideas and adding to the concept until a final product is ready for production. At Creatingway, we consider rapid prototyping good for getting important insights and feedback early on matters concerning your concept. Then you are able to make the necessary changes that would meet most of the user’s needs.

Why Choose Custom Rapid Prototyping Manufacturing?

• Ability to Communicate Ideas Effectively

Physical models allow designers to share their ideas with clients, colleagues, and collaborators. This is impossible with only visual designs on the screen. Rapid prototyping allows actionable and clear user feedback. This is important to creators as they get to understand the user’s needs. Later, they can refine and improve the design concept from the feedback.

• Allows Testing to Minimize Design Flaws

Early Discovery and fixing of design flaws are crucial in product design on manufacturing. It helps companies avoid the costly revisions needed on finding design flaws late. Additionally, engineers can test out prototypes as if they were final products. This is because they look and perform like final products. The risk of manufacturability and usability issues is lower. This is even before the part moves into full-scale production.

• Saves Time and Cost

3D printing has no need for costly tooling setup. We can use the same equipment to produce different geometric parts. Additionally, in-house prototyping eliminates long lead times and high costs mostly linked with outsourcing. It also ensures the product made is error-free. Thus, the cost of fixing an issue post-release does not occur. It is usually three to four times more than when the product was at the design stage.

• Allows Exploration of New Ideas And Concepts

Rapid prototyping manufacturing is a quick option for testing out any new idea or concept. Perhaps a team member figured out a market gap or wants to refine a feature of an existing product. The process allows testing out this new idea if it works. It also allows user testing to find the true value to customers. Feedback from consumers is valuable in later effecting more changes to the concept.

Rapid Prototyping Applications

• Concept Models

Concept models are also known as proof of concept prototype function in demonstrating an idea to stakeholders. It helps product designers prove the assumptions and ideas. They can also test out the product’s viability. In order to get a good concept model design is requiring speed. That is in generating ideas, then building and later evaluating its physical form. This relies less on usability and the quality of the part. What matters is if it works according to its concept. The Ideal tool for making concept models is a 3D printer. It has an unmatched turnaround time in converting a computer file to a physical prototype. Therefore, it allows designers to test more concepts within a short period. They also save on space since they require a small setup area.

• Functional Prototypes

Functional prototypes function in representing accurately finished products. This is after the product has proceeded to subsequent stages. Details increasingly become more important. A functional prototype makes it easier to confirm design, function, and manufacturability. This is important before moving production that needs investment in costly tools. The production stage also has a limited chance of making changes due to cost and time. Advanced 3D printing technology can match injection molding capabilities. This is in terms of characteristics, feel and look of parts made. Also, several materials can simulate the fine details and textures of parts. For instance, low friction rigid soft-touch clear and robust components.

At Creatingway, we can also perform secondary processes on the 3D printed parts. For example, sanding, electroplating, polishing, and painting. This allows accurate replication of the visual attributes of the final part. Prototypes allow engineers to test out usability and functionality. They can see how parts will behave under conditions and stress of in-field use. Also, high-performance prototypes can withstand mechanical, chemical, and thermal stresses.

• Pre-Production and Manufacturing

A great prototype only achieves half the goal. We aim to produce a design that is both repeatable and economically manufactural. A DFM is able to strike a balance between functionality and aesthetics. This is while keeping the specifications of the end part. It also lowers manufacturing process costs. This is by keeping the cost per part below the needed level. 3D printing allows tolerance testing. This is important before reaching the actual manufacturing process. Therefore, it is essential to perform comprehensive field and in-house testing before any mass production.

Custom Rapid Prototyping Manufacturing Materials

The material option of custom rapid prototyping manufacturing varies with every stage. The early stages focus on speed and getting a rough idea of the concept. Therefore, inexpensive plastic is the best option for this stage. Also, it does not matter how the quality will appear. The characteristics of the low-cost part should be low infill with thicker layers. This speeds up print time. It also allows the creation of a rough but ready prototype. Several changes can be made when necessary due to the low cost of material used. However, with each refined step, it requires a better-quality material as we proceed to a functional prototype. Therefore, once perfected, we can consider fabricating the final part using metal. This allows your part to enter the market faster and more improved than the concept design.

Start Your Rapid Prototype Projects Today

With a variety of rapid prototype manufacturing services and a range of finishing surface processes to choose from and guaranteed quality due to our inspection standard, you can fully trust you will receive great parts every time. Once you send us your 3D CAD file, one of our project engineers will check your design for manufacturability evaluation to ensure that the part can be made to your expectations and budget. Contact us for a free quote now!

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