Plastic Prototype Fabrication: Exploring Four Plastic Prototyping Techniques
Plastic parts do not often get the credit they deserve for the role played in our world. There’s hardly a …
Rapid prototyping services with the use of state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, including 3D printing, CNC machining, vacuum casting, and sheet metal fabrication. Guarantees fast lead time of high-quality prototypes at minimal cost.
Lead Time
Surface Finishes
Low prices
Tolerances
Rapid prototyping is a product development method that allows the production and iteration of product parts for evaluation and testing. By manufacturing your rapid prototypes with RapidDirect guarantees, you make the best decision regarding your design. We let you test out a full range of materials and finishes, so you can make an informed decision on how to take your project forward. We have an array of rapid prototyping processes for you to choose from.
Our top-quality rapid prototyping service guarantees a fast lead time, ensuring you receive your products and parts within the deadline at minimal tooling cost.
Thanks to our new and advanced quotation platform , you instantly get your quotation and DFM analysis. The updated machine learning algorithm process tons of information in a short period and gives us all the needed information about your orders.
We use high-quality input materials and maintain a high level of process stability to ensure reproducibility. We strive for continuous improvement to improve our manufacturing of goods, processes, and delivery capability.
To meet your rapid prototyping needs, we provide and support extensive manufacturing capabilities. For low volume CNC machining, injection molding, 3D printing, and other services, our goal is to bring your prototypes or parts to life in best possible way.
We have a state-of-the-art in-house production supply chain and staff strength that helps us meet and exceed your expectations on delivery time and quantity. We ensure that all our deliveries are within schedule.
Our leading suppliers help us receive materials for consistent production while ensuring every product is at affordable costs.
Our team of refined and experienced experts is always available for professional advice and recommendation on your orders, improvements, and preferences.
For rapid prototyping of plastic and metal parts, CNC machining is the ideal production option, as we can create all the prototypes you need with precision detail and complete them within a short lead time.
| Type | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| Linear dimension | +/- 0.025 mm (+/- 0.001 inch) |
| Hole diameters (not reamed) | +/- 0.025 mm (+/- 0.001 inch) |
| Shaft diameters | +/- 0.025 mm (+/- 0.001 inch) |
| Part size limit | 950 * 550 * 480 mm(37.0 * 21.5 * 18.5 inch) |
Our proven injection molding process is fit for the task when it comes to creating low-volume molds and plastic parts. Along with injection molding, we also apply secondary processing and other techniques to produce impressive products for your brand.
| Standard capabilities | Description |
|---|---|
| Mold cavity tolerances | ±0.05 mm |
| Standard lead time | 15 business days or less |
| Part to part repeatability | ±0.1 mm |
| Production grade | 1-100,000 cycles |
Take advantage of RapidDirect’s streamlined sheet metal processing to produce metal parts. The combination of advanced equipment and in-house production ensures short lead times and strict quality standards.
| Dimension detail | Tolerance |
|---|---|
| Edge to edge, single surface / Edge to hole, single surface / Hole to hole, single surface | +/- 0.005 inch |
| Bend to edge / hole, single surface | +/- 0.010 inch |
| Edge to feature, multiple surface / Over formed part, multiple surface | +/- 0.030 inch |
| Bend angle | +/- 1° |
Utilizing the latest 3D printing technology, RapidDirect caters to your rapid 3D printing needs, such as SLA, SLS, FDM, and more. With our fast production capabilities and streamlined process, you’re guaranteed to get your custom parts within a few days.
| Standard capabilities | Description |
|---|---|
| Min. wall thickness | 1.0 mm |
| Layer height | 50 – 300 μm |
| Max. build size | 250 * 250 * 250 mm (SLA), 420 * 500 * 420 mm (SLS), 500 * 500 * 500 mm (FDM) |
| Tolerance | ± 0.5% with a lower limit of ± 0.5 mm (± 0.020″) |
If you’re looking for a quick and reliable source of elastomeric plastic parts, RapidDirect has you covered. Our vacuum casting process offers high-quality, consistent plastic pieces with intricate and impressive details.
| Standard capabilities | Description |
|---|---|
| Maximum build size | +/- 0.025 mm (+/- 0.001 inch) |
| Standard lead time | Up to 20 parts in 15 days or less |
| Dimensional accuracy | ±0.05 mm |
| Layer thickness | 1.5mm - 2.5mm |
We provide quotations for over 100 metals and plastics for your prototyping needs. On our platform, you can also view the different materials and the cost of their machining.
There are different types of metals, each with different physical and chemical properties. These differences make some metals better suited to a particular application than others. The methods for producing metal prototypes include; CNC machining, Casting, 3D printing, and sheet fabrication.
Brass Titanium
Aluminum Copper
Stainless Steel
Plastic is a broad term encompassing several materials. Most of them have favorable properties that make them ideal for rapid prototyping, including ease of molding, insulation, chemical resistance, wear resistance, and lightweight.
The methods for making plastic prototype parts include; urethane casting, 3D printing, and CNC machining.
| ABS | Nylon (PA) | PC | PVC |
| PU | PMMA | PP | PEEK |
| PE | HDPE | PS | POM |
The rapid prototyping process is far-reaching, encompassing several materials, technologies, and industries. There are four different types of rapid prototypes.
This is one of the simplest types of prototypes. Also called a proof-of-concept prototype, engineers use the concept model to convey the basic idea of the design. Before use, this type of prototype undergoes multiple changes.
Engineers develop this type of prototype to make it look similar to the final product. Most times, functionality is not a factor considered under the display prototype as the focus is mainly on appearance.
This prototype focuses on functionality and aims to enable engineers and designers to test the product to make modifications if any, for optimal functionality. The prototype developed here should behave the same way as the final product.
This is the last type of prototype developed before production. There are two major purposes of this type of prototype. First, to validate the process chosen by the manufacturer for mass production, and second, to ensure the manufactured part functions optimally.
Having been in the prototyping and production industry since 2009, we help startups and established brands manufacture prototypes and products that compete favorably in the global market. This is a testament to the quality and precision of our machines and a seasoned team of professionals working tirelessly to ensure your top-quality products get to the market as when due.
At RapidDirect, we offer top-notch services that encompass all aspects of manufacturing, from prototyping to production. Our rapid prototyping services include injection molding, rapid 3d printing services, CNC rapid machining services, plastic extrusion, and sheet fabrication, considering your ideal prototyping material. Our rapid prototyping and production services considerably cut the production cost for you while reducing the time to market. So work with us today for all your prototyping to production needs.
From 2009, we have produced prototypes for various industries including medical, automotives, aerospace, construction, and other industries.
A customer’s words have a more substantial impact than a company’s claims – and see what our satisfied customers have said regarding how we fulfilled their requirements.
RapidDirect delivered excellent prototypes for us on a limited budget. The team’s professionalism and flexibility throughout this 3-month project is amazing. We have started planning the next stage, and I look forward to a long-term partnership.
Patrick Kimble
– Product Engineer
RapidDirect rapidly improved our turnaround time for reliable prototypes with fast quote generation and competitive pricing. Their material selection and surface finishing options are extensive, so we were able to choose the best ones. We are delighted to recommend RapidDirect to anybody needing product development support.
Mitchell Truong
– Tooling Design Engineer
The experts at RapidDirect give us the chance to turn our ideas into reality. They easily understood our design model and requirements and met every deadline for presenting fully functional prototypes. We have been testing these prototypes for some weeks now, and they have delivered in all aspects. We are excited to launch the production of the final parts soon!
Kallum Aldrich
– Outsourcing Manager
RapidDirect provides refreshing product design perspectives. They are knowledgeable about intelligent and efficient design solutions. From ordering to tooling and prototyping, this company has the right background for manufacturing, saving us substantial costs and time. We noticed an instant time and cost difference when we started working with RapidDirect.
Nabil Karim
– Engineer
Fantastic prototyping service offered by the team at RapidDirect! The prototypes delivered passed all of our functional and market testing and we are on the way to manufacturing new diagnostic device. We also appreciate the excellent design advice provided during the prototyping stage. Great work and dedication!
Krish Whitlock
– Designer
Many industries, like the medical and food service fields, rely on the rapid prototyping capabilities of RapidDirect to meet their growing demand for parts used on critical production equipment.
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