Our rapid prototyping service
Are you looking to jump-start product development? Our rapid prototyping services can help.
Fast design iterations, physical proof-of-concept, scale models—our service is ideal for designers and engineers looking to test their product development ideas.
What we offer
- Wide selection of 3D printers, materials, and processes. Plus, we let you develop, support, and tests these elements in the real world using the most up to date 3D printing technologies
- Team of experienced, highly skilled engineers that can deliver prototypes designed to your exact specifications.
- Simplified online access to an extensive network of worldwide prototyping facilities 24/7 and CNC machining capabilities, with free online quotes, design verification, order history, and all 3D printed prototype design files.
- Network of certified manufacturing partners that give you easy access to diverse machining capabilities to serve all your manufacturing needs.
Our streamlined ordering system that lets you upload designs, specify requirements, and place your order quickly and efficiently.
Plus, our 24/7 global online access to prototyping facilities enables you to take full advantage of today’s cutting-edge prototyping technologies and processes.
What is rapid prototyping?
Rapid prototyping isn’t new. It’s been around for a while. Over the years, it’s proved invaluable to manufacturers.
Simply put, rapid prototyping helps manufacturers quickly fabricate scale models of assemblies, physical parts, or new products using 3D computer-aided design (CAD) data.
Rapid prototype first became available in the 1980s. Back then, manufacturers used these methods to produce models and product prototypes only. But the use of rapid prototyping has evolved dramatically since then.
Today, manufacturers use rapid prototyping also for a broad range of applications, including manufacturing small batches of production quality parts quickly and cost-effectively.
Rapid prototyping starts with the creation of geometric data—either as 3D solid designs made using a CAD workstation or 2D scanning slices using a scanning device.
Some refer to rapid prototyping as solid free-form fabrication, computer-automated manufacturing, or layered manufacturing.
This approach to prototyping helps manufacturers generate real-world customer feedback on designs without expending precious product development resources.
Contact Sales or call us directly on +1 845-402-8321.
Fillauer Composites
Learn how Fillauer Composites rapidly iterated their prosthetics for cost efficiency using Protolabs Network’s rapid prototyping.
Material
Carbon fiber, ABS, Ninjaflex
Product
Prostethic feet
Industry
Medical
How rapid prototyping works
Engineers and designers have a broad range of rapid prototyping processes and traditional manufacturing methods to produce prototypes. Each process has its advantages and disadvantages.
Fused deposition modeling (FDM), for example, is a slower additive process than other processes and has limited suitability for functional testing.
Stereolithography (SLA), on the other hand, produces prototypes not quite as strong as those made from engineering-grade resins, so they also have limited use for functional testing.
We’ll help you decide on the best production process or method for your product development cycle among the following rapid prototyping processes:
- Stereolithography (SLA)
- Selective laser sintering (SLS)
- Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS/SLM)
- Fused deposition modeling (FDM)
- Multi-jet fusion (MJF)
- Material jetting (Poly-jet)
These rapid prototyping processes enable you to produce prototypes of the highest professional quality, including:
- Metal 3D printed prototypes
- Plastic 3D printed prototypes
- 3D printed prototypes
We provide you the ability to produce prototypes right from your CAD files, allowing you to generate real-time product design feedback and concept testing.
Fast, flexible, and more cost-effective than other production methods, rapid prototyping is also ideal for producing small quantities of parts and concept models.
Contact Sales or call us directly on +1 845-402-8321.
Upload your parts to explore available materials
Advantages of rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping provides a competitive advantage in today’s fiercely competitive markets. More importantly, it provides a practical and profitable approach to prototyping that offers you a wide array of critical advantages, such as:
- Streamlines prototype production
- Superior proof of concept results
- Speeds transition to production
- Streamlines product refinement
- Reduces time to market dramatically
- Incorporates modifications instantly
- Realizes design concepts fully
- Saves prototyping cost and time
- Customizes product designs better
- Minimizes design flaws
We’ll help you not only select the best prototyping process for your product development cycle, but also ensure your designs meet your quality expectations.
Plus, our injection molding service allows you to move from prototyping to end-part production seamlessly. We also offer phone, email, and chat support for any concerns or questions you may have whether they concern a precision prototype or end-use part.
Contact Sales or call us directly on +1 845-402-8321.
Get your prototypes into production today
