What Prototype Do You Need

What Prototype Do You Need The prototyping industry is constantly evolving. Having experienced 25 years of prototyping, starting on a bench with traditional tools and hand skills, to running a company with some of the latest rapid-prototyping technologies, I have witnessed the changes firsthand. When I entered this industry, I would never have predicted the model capabilities of today, and 3D printing has undoubtedly aided that achievement. However, there is a tendency to believe that 3D printing should be used for all prototyping requirements. This overlooks the value that an experienced prototyping company can contribute to product development. When it comes to printing, I believe that a little knowledge is worse than no knowledge at all. It is important to engage with a prototyping company and seek their expert advice based on the desired outcomes of your project; the hand skills of a modelmaker are as relevant today as ever. Rapid-prototype technology has strengthened this skill, and seeking advice will only extend the possibilities. Such advice should be based on all services and techniques, and not just the technology a company possesses in its armoury – it is about using what is available in today’s market to achieve the best outcome. I will expand on some of these additional services and how they stand alongside 3D printing. The invention of 3D printing is not as recent as many may think. A patent was first registered in 1986 by Charles Hull for the first stereolithography machine (or SLA machine as it is now often called). The original output print, although extraordinary for its time, was somewhat difficult to use in many applications. It was brittle and of much lower resolution compared to what clients would expect now. Although the SLA machine remains very similar commercially, today the surface finish of the parts is flawless and the resins are more advanced.

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