Time is often the biggest challenge when developing new products. Companies need to validate their ideas quickly and efficiently before moving to large-scale production. This is where rapid prototyping comes in. By leveraging advanced technologies and a streamlined approach, customers can fast-track their projects from concept to production without the need for costly tooling and dies.
What is rapid prototyping?
Rapid prototyping is a method used to quickly create a scale model of a physical part or assembly using three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) data. At Adherex, the process is more than just a buzzword; it is an essential service that allows customers to validate their pre-production parts efficiently. This validation process ensures the parts meet all design specifications and functional requirements before moving on to full-scale production.
Benefits of rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping services offer benefits over traditional prototyping methods for industries such as automotive, aerospace, and medical devices.
Here are some of the key advantages:
- Speed: Significantly reduced lead times allow customers to receive prototypes faster than traditional methods.
- Cost-effective: Minimize upfront costs by eliminating the need for expensive tooling and dies.
- Flexibility: The ability to quickly produce and test multiple design iterations helps refine the final product.
- Material selection: Various materials can be tested during the prototyping process to ensure the best fit for the final product.
- Scalability: Once the prototype is validated, it serves as a blueprint for scaling up to full production.
- Early detection of flaws: By producing models quickly, potential design flaws and functional issues can be identified and addressed early in the development process, reducing the risk of costly errors in full-scale production.
The process
The best processes ensure each rapid prototype is as close to the final product as possible for quality and performance.
This includes several critical stages:
- Concept development: The process begins with the customer’s concept. Adherex experts collaborate with the customer to understand the requirements and objectives.
- Design: The next step involves detailed design work, where CAD software is used to create a 3D model of the part.
- Prototyping: Using advanced tools like the five-axis water jet table, Adherex creates the prototype without needing traditional tooling and dies.
- Testing: The prototype undergoes rigorous testing to meet all design and functional criteria.
- Validation: Once the prototype is validated, it is ready for scaling up to production.
For instance, when a company in the RV industry needed a new gasket for fuel caps, they faced issues with their current supplier and sought a faster solution. Adherex stepped in, quickly sourced the necessary materials, and produced prototype gaskets using the five-axis water jet cutter. Within days, the samples were shipped, tested, and validated by the customer.
Why choose Adherex?
Here’s why customers trust Adherex:
- Expertise and experience: Years of experience and extensive market knowledge enables Adherex application and design engineers to guide customers through the entire prototyping process.
- Advanced technology: State-of-the-art equipment ensures precision and efficiency.
- Customer-centric approach: Adherex prioritizes customer needs, providing fast response times and tailored solutions.
- ISO certification: Adherex’s ISO 9001:2015 certification assures customers of the highest quality standards in their processes and products.
Rapid prototyping is a game-changer in product development, enabling faster, more cost-effective, and flexible solutions. Adherex’s services help customers bring their concepts to life, validate designs, and scale up to production efficiently.
For more information about Adherex’s services contact Dan Murphy, our Director of Specialty Materials at [email protected] or 773-967-0138.
