In this series of blogs, we will talk about how we make use of modern technological advances to offer a fast turnaround service for our customers in need of prototypes.
Utilising computer-assisted tools and design technologies allows us to quickly make intricate, well designed and repeatable products. This post is about how we utilise technology to manufacture prototypes from a wide range of materials.
With decades of experience in manufacturing prototypes and models for a wide range of clients, we’ve developed the skills to expertly manufacture items out of a wide variety of materials, depending on the client’s needs and the purpose of the product. Alongside our sister company Thompson Precision, who are specialists in high tech precision CNC machining, we can create functional and tactile items for a wide range of industries and purposes. With specialists in electronics, design engineering and metal and plastic fabrication, we can create a wide range of products from our headquarters just outside of London.
While in the past, prototypes may have been crudely manufactured to create a simple visual representation of an item, with the technology available today we can often manufacture a functioning prototype from a variety of materials. We have provided fully functioning prototypes of high-end mechanical and electronic devices, industrial and engineering prototypes and outstanding visual models for client interactions and to be put on display.
3D Printing and CAD/CAM Advances
Recent advances with 3D printing and CAD/CAM technology allows us to manufacture items out of a wide range of materials, directly from CAD files. As most designers will use CAD, this allows us to quickly start on a new project. Even if the designer hasn’t created a CAD, our talented design engineers can make one with the client’s input. With a long history of manufacturing prototypes, we know what can be achieved and can design a project with manufacturing in mind, minimising issues and streamlining the process. Our dedicated 5 axis machine means we don’t need to re-position the item in between processes; this can save the client money and time on delivery.
We have a specialised fast turnaround service for prototypes, as many design and sales teams need quick production of their product for client and design purposes. This has often been utilised by design and engineering companies for projects when a prototype would need to be updated multiple times before mass production. This gives the designers and engineers a chance to correct any issues they may have encountered during the preliminary rounds of prototype manufacture, or any tactile changes after the prototype has been shared with focus groups. This is a quick way for the client to develop and improve an idea without incurring the expensive costs of mass production, and would be too time consuming to manufacture without the technological advances we have engaged with.
We can also utilise the 3D printing technology we’ve utilised so often in the past, both with models and prototypes, to quickly and affordably manufacture both design and mechanical components; this is much cheaper than manufacturing similar items by hand or in a small batch. We have 3D printed components for prototypes including custom springs and small scale engineering projects, as well as intricate designs for cases and enclosures for projects. This sort of varied use shows how we master new technology as it becomes available; we push the boundaries of what we are expected to achieve, and can then offer advanced uses of the technologies to new and existing clients.
Our willingness to utilise the newest technologies and then to pass on this knowledge, as well as the savings in cost, to our clients, illustrates how clients from all industries can benefit from using us for their prototyping needs. For more information, get in touch with us by email at [email protected] or phone us on 01277 365500.