The Challenges of Rapid Prototyping
Rapid prototyping is a great way to get a preliminary tactile design of the final product. It enables you to visualize your product before you start manufacturing at scale. As the name suggests, rapid prototyping is the fast fabrication of a product with the help of a three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD).
While planning for the final product, you can quickly fabricate a part or even an assembly that goes into the final piece. There are primarily two types of rapid prototyping techniques – additive (3D printing) or subtractive (CNC machining) methods of manufacturing.
Rapid prototyping gives you an immense advantage by giving you the opportunity to understand how your product will perform much earlier in the manufacturing cycle. Consequently, this gives you enough time to tweak the design and implement improvements before final production.
Depending on the manufacturing process you opt for, it is also cost-effective and does not need a lot of staff to manage. Moreover, since rapid prototyping is based on computer-aided design (CAD), human error and budget overruns are minimal.
In a world of cross-border manufacturing and shortening product development, conceptualizing products early on in the product development cycle is absolutely vital to your success. Rapid prototyping can not only help you reduce manufacturing risks but also keep the competition at bay.
That being said, rapid prototyping comes with its own set of unique challenges as well. There are multiple factors that come into play when considering a rapid prototyping method – purpose, cost, complexity, quantity, and quality have a significant impact on prototyping success.
Let’s look at some of the challenges of rapid prototyping –
COST AND AVAILABILITY OF MATERIALS
Rapid prototyping is an excellent way to get a proof of concept. However, it won’t give you an accurate representation of the final product’s feel, finish, color, or texture. When it comes to 3D printing, the material options are limited as well. Moreover, some materials require thorough understanding to ensure safety and quality.
At Macfab, we are experts at both additive and subtractive rapid prototyping techniques. We’ve got high-precision CNC Turning and Milling services that let us solve a variety of material limitations.
COST OF EQUIPMENT
Rapid prototyping technology equipment can be costly, especially if you are looking for highly specialized prototyping machines. The cost also increases with each iteration of the prototype, which can impact the budget of your product development cycle.
While rapid prototyping will save you costs in the long run, be ready for a higher capital expenditure initially as you iron out faults and optimize the design.
LACK OF SKILLS AND WELL-TRAINED STAFF
Finding the right talent with diverse knowledge and experience in rapid prototyping is a challenging task. The right person needs to have the knowledge of materials, tools, programming, project management, and product development.
Mix into that the complexity of an internationalized manufacturing supply chain and compressed timelines, and you can easily understand why finding the right talent is essential.
We take talent seriously at Macfab and have an expertly staffed team of 3D printing and CNC machinists. With decades of experience managing highly complex manufacturing tasks, be assured that you are in safe hands when you choose to work with us.
ACCURACY AND QUALITY OF PROTOTYPES
As mentioned earlier, rapid prototyping might not necessarily be 100% accurate. The molded parts and molding processes need to be improved in order to improve accuracy.
Accuracy is paramount in the case of specific rapid prototyping techniques such as stereolithography or SLA. SLA rapid prototyping can create medical grade and high precision rapid prototypes.
SOFTWARE CAPABILITIES
Even though rapid prototyping is done using computer-aided design, the variety of software and file formats can bring in unnecessary complexity. Some software has persistent data loss issues due to the nature of the file format, which can result in poor surface quality. This is an area that still needs improvement.
The challenges of rapid prototyping are very little compared to the benefits that it offers.
Our craftsman machinists take a fool-proof approach towards prototyping. Our Engineering group creates a Design for Manufacturing (DFM) to clarify any unknowns before beginning production. Along with the DFM, our experts also review your 3-dimensional CAD file or 2-dimensional drawing, collaborating with you throughout the process, ensuring you get the part as you envisioned it. The process model and drawings are then developed in Solidworks, an industry-leading CAD software.
Our 3D printing equipment is able to produce parts in both metals and polymers. To provide a more comprehensive offering, we also integrate our conventional machines to finish the 3D printed parts and improve the surface finish. This integration works great for our customers who need timely production of concept parts for physical reviews and assembly analysis.
Any part that you imagine, we can most likely deliver. With travels up to 40 inches in the X-axis, 20 inches in the Y-axis, and 20 inches in the Z-axis, our CNC machining centers can create a wide range of part sizes. From a coffee table to the rim of an automobile, it is all possible at Macfab!
And since we offer a whole suite of prototyping and production services, customers can also validate the program operation by operation, owing to our industry-leading first part yield percentage. Once the part is produced either by additive (3D printing) or conventional machining, our Coordinate Measurement Machines are ready to kick into service. Using Solidworks, we can also inspect the part for any deviations and make sure it is created to the original specification.
We obsess about quality at every step of the process so that you don’t have to worry about it when the part goes into final production.
We, at Macfab, are there for you through the complete journey of your part, from prototyping your concept to reality, to being there with our precision manufacturing services to manufacture production volumes when ready.
At Macfab, we look at your manufacturing orders from a holistic lens of budget, time, and materials. With our end-to-end capabilities of prototyping to production, we are prepared to support you throughout your production journey. Do drop us a message, and our team would love to get in touch with you to learn how we can help your business succeed.
