Rapid Prototyping Service
Your specialist rapid prototyping specialist, based in Plymouth, but also servicing the UK from the Midlands down to Cornwall.
What is Rapid Prototyping
Occasionally, it is beneficial to have rapid prototypes made prior to you having your mould tool built. This enables you to trial your components fit and function, and can help get your project completed faster in the long run. These prototypes give the customer critical information and help them decide on the final design. They can also be turned around within a matter of days. The process involves creating a working model before beginning the design and development process. The prototype will look and feel exactly like the finished product but with limited functionality. They allow our customers to use them for trialling and photo shoots, or product launches, while the mould tool is being built, which again saves time.
Rapid Prototyping for Injection Moulding
Rapid prototyping is the process of quickly making a preliminary version of a product to test design ideas, and get data that will help improve future product runs. The process can include a variety of manufacturing technologies, but the most common one is 3D printing. 3D printing is popular because of its affordability and quick turnaround, in comparison to other options, like CNC machining. If you are unsure of your design, you may want to have one component produced at a time and tweak and repeat until it is acceptable. Alternatively, you may have multiple designs of a prototype to be produced at the same time and pick the most suitable one. The two processes we supply for 3D prototypes are SLA (stereolithography) and SLS (selective laser sintering)
Prototyping – The Process
SLA (stereolithography): This process uses laser to cure a liquid resin, to form plastic components with a high resolution and accuracy. SLA is good for tight tolerances and highly detailed features. It also uses a variety of materials. SLA 3D printing is mainly used for parts requiring high accuracy and features as small as 0.07mm; good surface quality; and cosmetic prototypes.
SLS (selective laser sintering): – This process uses high-powered lasers to fuse small particles of polymer powder and is ideal for complex geometry. Good for thin walls and undercuts with excellent mechanical characteristics and resembles injection moulded parts.
