What Can a Prototyping Shop Offer and How to Make the Most of It?

 In the journey of product development, prototyping plays a pivotal role. And a prototyping shop serves as a crucial resource for bringing ideas to life. As an engineer at Yigu Technology, I have had extensive experience collaborating with prototyping shops, and in this article, I'll share insights into what these shops offer, their significance, and how to optimize their use.

The Multifaceted Offerings of a Prototyping Shop

Fabrication and Testing Equipment Galore

Prototyping shops are equipped with a diverse range of fabrication and testing tools. For example, the ME Prototype Shops are a haven for students and researchers. They house various equipment that enables hands - on learning. This practical approach helps translate theoretical classroom concepts into real - world applications. The presence of such equipment is not just beneficial for educational purposes but also for professional product development.

Applied Kinetics' prototype shop is another great example. It has a machine shop with a wide array of capabilities. CNC machining is one of its fortes. With CNC machining, they can produce multiple parts for destructive testing. This is invaluable when you need to understand the limits of your design. For instance, they can produce complex geometries, which is often a challenge in traditional manufacturing methods. The shop can also compare machining speeds and feeds on specific materials to achieve the best surface finish. In fact, their CNC Milling has a travel of 20” [510mm] x 14” [355mm] x 18” [460mm] with 4th axis capabilities, and CNC Turning can handle through the chuck up to Ø2” [Ø51mm], with a maximum Ø8 1/4” [Ø210mm] OD and a machining range of 16 1/2” [420mm].

Manual machining capabilities are also available in these shops. This is useful for quick one - off parts, jig and fixture machining, and modifying purchased components. Such flexibility allows for rapid iterations in the prototyping process.

Professional Staff for Guidance

The staff in prototyping shops are a key asset. Comprising professional engineers, machinists, and technicians, they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. They not only train users on how to operate the equipment safely and efficiently but also offer consultations on projects. Their expertise can help in avoiding common pitfalls in the prototyping process. For example, when working on a complex mechanical prototype, the staff can provide insights on the best manufacturing techniques based on their past experiences, saving both time and resources.

In - House Testing and Assembly

Prototyping shops offer in - house testing capabilities. Applied Kinetics can conduct first - order compression and tensile testing, friction determination, fatigue/cycle testing and analysis, and functional testing of proof - of - concept parts and assemblies. This comprehensive testing ensures that the prototypes are thoroughly evaluated before moving forward in the development process.

Assembly and disassembly are also important services. The ability to perform component - level and machine - level assembly/disassembly is useful for reverse engineering proven equipment, initial start - up and testing of machines, and ease of assembly of proof - of - concepts. They even have well - documented assembly/disassembly procedures and maintenance and safety manuals, which add to the professionalism and reliability of their services.

3D Printing for Added Flexibility

In - house 3D printing is becoming an increasingly common feature in prototyping shops. For example, some shops can perform FFM printing up to 30cm x 30cm x 30cm. 3D printing allows for the creation of complex geometries with relative ease. It is also a cost - effective option for producing small - scale prototypes, especially when compared to traditional manufacturing methods for low - volume production.

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