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Most
Frequently Asked Rapid Prototyping Questions...
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I'm
in Engineering, why might I want prototype parts?
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| Whether
you are in the medical, aerospace telecommunications,
computer, electronics, automotive, or consumer products
industries, conceptual models can help you evaluate your
design before time-consuming, engineering changes or expensive
tooling adjustments eat away at your budget. By checking
clearances and accommodating ergonomic considerations,
you can develop design faster, easier and more economical. |
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I'm
a Program Manager. Why would I want prototype parts?
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| Program
Managers are often responsible for a project's time-to-market
and its overall cost to develop. Getting the design optimized
early, avoids spending valuable time later for rework.
The prototypes can then be used by other functional areas
to speed up their activities. For example, give them to
your Purchasing Department so they can get more accurate
bids, to your Customer Service organization so they can
begin support planning, and finally to Manufacturing for
their valuable input and support. |
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I'm
in Marketing. Why would I want prototype parts?
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| Prototypes
are a great way to introduce new products to your customers.
Show them to your key clients to get their feedback. Bring
them with you to meetings and conventions to generate
product interest to encourage early sales orders. |
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I'm
in Manufacturing. Why would I want prototype parts?
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| By
having prototype parts when you are planning or beginning
the manufacturing process you can develop procedures and
tools to ensure producability and reduce assembly times.
Use them to reduce errors while interpreting engineering
drawings too. |
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I
need a prototype, but I don't have my design in a CAD
file. Can I still get stereolithography parts?
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| Yes!
Send us your engineering drawings, even sketches are okay.
RapidPro Manufacturing will create the CAD files necessary to generate Stereolithography
prototypes. |
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I
need a prototype and I've got my design in a CAD file.
What formats can you work with?
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| We
can accept nearly all CAD file formats. If your format
does not generate stereolithography parts directly, we
can convert most formats into a one than can. Among the
file formats we work with regularly are: Pro-Engineer,
Solid Works, Aries, AutoCAD, ME-30, Microstation, Graftek,
SDRC, and CADKEY. |
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How
much does the stereolithography process cost?
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| Stereolithography,
the most popular rapid prototyping method compares favorably
with machining costs and offers faster turnaround times.
Since time is money, stereolithography prototyping is
a great value. Stereolithography can even produce complex
prototypes that conventional machining is not capable
of producing. |
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What
if I need more than 1 or 2 prototype
parts?
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| From
a single STL prototype RPC can create a mold for low-volume
cast urethane or epoxy parts or create Bridge Tooling
for thousands of parts! We are also able to interface
with local manufacturers who can use our 3-D files to
mass produce your parts. |
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So
how rapid is rapid prototyping using stereolithography?
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| No
matter how complex, your part can be ready in as little
as a few days "or less". |
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