How to Take Full Advantage of Rapid Prototyping

1. How to Take Full Advantage of Rapid Prototyping Among the many products and services we offer at Rock West is rapid prototyping. Through our prototyping services, we help both existing companies and new startups turn their concepts into reality by combining their specs with our skills, knowledge, and composites expertise. Suffice it to say that prototyping is a vital component in manufacturing. Long before a company is ready to start selling products to consumers, they have gone through an extensive prototyping program intended to perfect everything from the product itself to how it is manufactured. Our years as a provider of rapid prototyping services have given us great insight into how we can help companies reach the finish line with their new products. We tend to look at rapid prototyping as driven by four primary things: 1. Clear, Simple Concepts Prototyping is designed to identify areas of concern in a product design. It works best in this regard when we start with clear, simple concepts. For example, what is the product in question supposed to accomplish? Why is it being manufactured? How simple can we make the design without compromising functionality, strength, etc.? We have learned over the years that beginning a rapid prototyping program with an overly complex design only muddies the waters. Complex designs create more areas of concern than simple designs. Thus, it is better to start with a simple design and add to it as necessary.

2. 2. Genuine, Real-World Feedback Building prototypes from CAD drawings only goes so far. At some point, products have to be put into the hands of people who can use them in the real world. Feedback from such real-world use is extremely valuable. It tells designers and engineers what needs to be changed and what can be left as is. Some companies go right to their customers for feedback. Others, especially startups, rely on their own people to take products home and test them. At any rate, real-world feedback is priceless. 3. A Willingness to Refine By its very nature, rapid prototyping is intended to get a product from the concept stage to mass production. There is plenty of room for refining both product and process along the way. Unfortunately, this is where far too many projects fall apart. If those in charge are not receptive to refinements, a prototyping program is already in danger. Decision makers help their own cause by being willing to embrace refinements as they come along. The more refined a product becomes, the more suitable it will be for its eventual buyers. In terms refining manufacturing processes, the goal is to facilitate large-scale manufacturing at the cheapest possible cost. You can only get there through refining your processes. 4. Repeatability The final component of a rapid prototyping program is repeatability. When all is said and done – after all the prototypes are built and testing has been completed – you should have a part and manufacturing process that can be repeated over and over again. A lack of repeatability dooms a project's success. Repeatability is that which makes it possible to manufacture consistent parts. It is what allows for large-scale production at a profit. If you cannot repeat the success of your prototyping program on a large scale, what's the point? Rapid prototyping is something we very much believe in. If you are looking to get products from the concept stage to full production, we invite you to contact us here at Rock West Composites. Our experienced prototyping team is ready to assist. We can help you get your part to full-scale production or, if need be, provide short run production as well.