Plastic Prototype Services and the 4 Processing Methods
Learn about the 4 processing methods involved in plastic prototype services. X Rapid Technologies offers rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing services.
5 ways to use Plastic Prototype service that will help you get more business
You need a professional plastic prototype service while pitching any investor your product. The plastic prototype service provider company will give a finishing touch to your product, so don’t forget to count on X Rapid Technologies.
Whatever your product is about, pitching to the potential investor with the plastic prototype is as important as the product making as it will make your first and long-lasting impression on the investor. A prototype can be used to scale up business more efficiently.
There are a lot of benefits to taking plastic prototype services. Prototyping is the process of creating a preliminary or working model of a product or device. This can be done using a variety of materials, but plastic is often proven to be the best because of its durability, versatility, and affordability.
When you decide to take the plastic prototype service, you can create a model that will help you better understand how your product will work. You can also test the feasibility of your product and get feedback from your potential investor. More importantly, a professional-looking prototype can help you in better funding and partnerships.
How do Plastic Prototype services help your business?
- Plastic prototyping services help businesses save time and money.
- It will help you to get your products quickly and release them in the market, whereas a metal prototype can cost you much when you have to make changes.
- Quality Plastic prototype service can help you with new business and beat the competition
- Plastic prototyping service helps you test and refine your design, making your products more marketable in the end.
Things to consider before taking any Plastic Prototype service
Before hopping to any plastic prototype service, check the following factors.
- Unearth the purpose of your prototype
You must have a clear vision of your product because taking a plastic prototype service without knowing the exact purpose of the prototype will only lose your time, money, and effort. For instance, if your prototype is going to be a rough idea or it is for carrying out the mechanical test. Either you use your prototype just for assessing color combination or anything else. Fix your use before hoping for a plastic prototype service.
- Accurate measurement of the parts of the prototype
No matter what is the purpose of your prototype, whether it is mechanical, visual, or functional, you should provide accurate measurements of different parts of the prototype to the plastic prototype service provider. This means your prototype can be designed well by the plastic prototype service provider. When a prototype is designed and developed, ensure that there is room for modification to improve its functionality or appearance.
- Don’t forget to add the company logo
When you have a logo on your product, it impresses the potential investor, and they acknowledge who has developed the product. Moreover, it improves the appearance of the product. Plastic prototype service provider company can add engraved or embossed logos without adding further steps to fabrication. They can also add logos and text over prototypes even after the product has been fabricated.
X Rapid Technologies, a global rapid plastic prototype service providing company, caters to all the stages of the prototype, from molding to fabricating the final product. We have a team of experts that look into the matter proficiently to ensure that the final product meets your expectation.
It doesn’t matter whether your project is small or large; X Rapid Technologies will assist you in your endeavors by providing high-end solutions to all your prototype requirement.
The mainstream plastic prototype services include five processing methods, CNC machining, vacuum casting, 3D printing, reaction injection molding (RIM), and rapid tooling. Each of them has its unique characteristics.
1. CNC machining
CNC (Computer Numerical Control) Machining is the primary digital manufacturing technology to produce rapid prototypes.
Materials for plastic prototypes
ABS, PC, PC+ABS, PMMA, PA, POM, PP, etc.
ABS is the most commonly used plastic material for plastic prototype services. The colors of the raw materials are beige, black, and white. It is easy to be post-treated. However, ABS used for prototyping is less vulnerable than that of mass production. So ABS prototypes usually cannot be sold as end-use products.
PC and PMMA are for semi-transparent and transparent parts, such as auto lamps and lenses. PMMA’s transparency is higher than PC’s. PC is half clear. You can increase the transparency by fumigating.
Materials with excellent mechanical properties like PA, POM, and PP are typically applied to make structural parts.
The choice of plastic materials depends on the detailed requirements. In other words, if prototyping aims to test its appearance, structure, or function.
Molds
Not needed.
Applications
CNC machined plastic parts are for prototyping purposes only in most cases. The highest tolerance can be +/- 0.01mm.
2. Vacuum casting
Based on the silicone mold made from a product prototype, vacuum casting produces the same parts in the vacuum environment.
Materials for plastic prototypes
Liquid PU or polyurethane resin.
There are many series of PU raw materials. After being injected into the silicone mold and drying down, the properties of the solid part can be similar to those of ABS, PC, PMMA, etc.
Molds
Silicone molds are made based on a CNC machined or 3D printed model.
Applications
As each silicone mold lasts for 10~25 shots, that vacuum casting is an efficient low volume production process for the quantity of 10~100 sets of plastic prototypes and products. It takes a shorter time and less cost than CNC machining. But The tolerance is also lower.
3. 3D printing
3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that can print parts with small features.
Materials for plastic prototypes
ABS, PLA, PC, PA, PMMA, PEEK, PPEK+GF, photopolymer, etc.
As 3D technology develops rapidly, it is possible to print a wide range of powder-shaped materials.
Molds
Not needed.
Applications
Because 3D printing manufactures parts layer by layer, it can produce plastic prototypes with complex structures. The tolerance is about +/- 0.1mm. So the surface of the parts is slightly rough. It finds applications in toys, handicrafts, jewelry and construction industries, etc.
4. Reaction injection molding (RIM)
Reaction injection molding (RIM) is a rapid molding process for making unreinforced thermoset parts rapidly in an environment of low pressure and room temperature.
Materials for plastic prototypes
Liquid PU or polyurethane resin.
The material is different from vacuum casting. RIM mixes two kinds of PU, namely material A and material B, into two pressurized chambers while machining.
Molds
ABS, resin, aluminum, or steel molds.
Applications
RIM is a cost-effective way of producing large plastic parts for automotive and medical device fields. For plastic prototype service, it fits situations where you need to make large-sized parts in one piece with different wall thicknesses.
X Rapid Technologies provides rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing services such as CNC machining, vacuum casting, 3D printing, sheet metal fabrication, rapid tooling, reaction injection molding, and surface finishing. We are always ready to offer you the best plastic prototype services. Don’t hesitate to get in touch!
