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Facilitating Rapid Product Development With Rapid Prototyping
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WelTec Connect first got involved with facilitating rapid product development using the Z Corp 3D printer in 2003. That was when the company was named Rapid Prototyping New Zealand and in terms of technological advances, it was a very long time ago.
Since then, the experts at WelTec have developed a range of services dedicated to decreasing the time required to produce prototypes.
- Fused deposition modelling (FDM) - a 3D printing technology (which is a form of additive manufacturing) that takes virtual designs from computer aided design (CAD) or animation modelling software, transforms them into thin, virtual, horizontal cross-sections, and then creates successive layers using near-molten plastic (ABS) or polycarbonate until the model is complete.
- Computer Numerically Controlled Machining - CNC technology involves translating a design into computations based on four axes. A CNC machine carves a block of material into the finished model. This method of prototyping is effective with materials of all kinds from hardened steel to soft foam. A prototype built with the identical material to be used for mass production can be tested for functionality.
- Vacuum casting - which is used to produce high density silicon moulds, polyurethane parts or waxes. Products made in silicone moulds have a quality comparable to the final product which makes them especially suitable for function testing and marketing purposes.
- Vacuum Forming - This method of prototype production utilises heated plastic stretched over the mould and held in place with a vacuum.
- Laser Etching and Cutting - Lasers are used to etch or cut material to precise specifications.
Whether businesses are in need of circuit board testing, performance testing or help conducting pre-production product runs, the experts working at the Centre for Smart Product can help.
???The advantage of rapid prototyping is that is it shortens the time to develop and test a product thereby speeding up the process from the design stage to having a product ready for market or for trade fairs," says Paul Mather, the Centre for Smart Products Director of Technology Development.
Qualified WelTec Connect technicians are ready to assist clients through the entire process from concept design to product prototyping. Business owners from many different industries rely on these services to develop their products.
Paul Mather says, "It is up to the individual or company involved as to how much input WelTec Connect has on the project. We can work at developing design ideas and creating prototypes from the concept stage plus full testing of these products, but we are also able to just build prototypes from SDL files sent to us.???
But there are big advantages to getting WelTec Connect students and staff involved. As Paul points out, "At the Centre for Smart Product, you have the option of choosing to utilise students' skills and staff's expertise on your project. With access to the Schools of Engineering, Creative Technologies, and IT, we have a huge resource of innovative minds and enthusiasm which have proved to be exceptionally beneficial when it comes to developing and testing prototypes of products. Our rapid prototyping systems are engineering orientated which is of particular interest to those in the manufacturing industries.???
The rapid prototyping technologies at WelTec Connect are available on a user pays basis but could possibly be part of a Research and Development funding package too. Talk to Paul Mather at WelTec Connect for more information.
View more information here rapid product development, fast product development, fast product development
Since then, the experts at WelTec have developed a range of services dedicated to decreasing the time required to produce prototypes.
- Fused deposition modelling (FDM) - a 3D printing technology (which is a form of additive manufacturing) that takes virtual designs from computer aided design (CAD) or animation modelling software, transforms them into thin, virtual, horizontal cross-sections, and then creates successive layers using near-molten plastic (ABS) or polycarbonate until the model is complete.
- Computer Numerically Controlled Machining - CNC technology involves translating a design into computations based on four axes. A CNC machine carves a block of material into the finished model. This method of prototyping is effective with materials of all kinds from hardened steel to soft foam. A prototype built with the identical material to be used for mass production can be tested for functionality.
- Vacuum casting - which is used to produce high density silicon moulds, polyurethane parts or waxes. Products made in silicone moulds have a quality comparable to the final product which makes them especially suitable for function testing and marketing purposes.
- Vacuum Forming - This method of prototype production utilises heated plastic stretched over the mould and held in place with a vacuum.
- Laser Etching and Cutting - Lasers are used to etch or cut material to precise specifications.
Whether businesses are in need of circuit board testing, performance testing or help conducting pre-production product runs, the experts working at the Centre for Smart Product can help.
???The advantage of rapid prototyping is that is it shortens the time to develop and test a product thereby speeding up the process from the design stage to having a product ready for market or for trade fairs," says Paul Mather, the Centre for Smart Products Director of Technology Development.
Qualified WelTec Connect technicians are ready to assist clients through the entire process from concept design to product prototyping. Business owners from many different industries rely on these services to develop their products.
Paul Mather says, "It is up to the individual or company involved as to how much input WelTec Connect has on the project. We can work at developing design ideas and creating prototypes from the concept stage plus full testing of these products, but we are also able to just build prototypes from SDL files sent to us.???
But there are big advantages to getting WelTec Connect students and staff involved. As Paul points out, "At the Centre for Smart Product, you have the option of choosing to utilise students' skills and staff's expertise on your project. With access to the Schools of Engineering, Creative Technologies, and IT, we have a huge resource of innovative minds and enthusiasm which have proved to be exceptionally beneficial when it comes to developing and testing prototypes of products. Our rapid prototyping systems are engineering orientated which is of particular interest to those in the manufacturing industries.???
The rapid prototyping technologies at WelTec Connect are available on a user pays basis but could possibly be part of a Research and Development funding package too. Talk to Paul Mather at WelTec Connect for more information.
View more information here rapid product development, fast product development, fast product development
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