Being a startup requires a lot of work and is subject to a great deal of pressure. Investors are looking to introduce new products on the market as quickly as they can, while the entrepreneurs want to ensure highest quality of the products before they go on the market.
The majority of the time, these two goals are in contradiction. Can you launch a product in a short time without making compromises to quality? The answer is simple that it’s feasible. Startup companies that use rapid prototyping techniques can enhance the design of their products in a short duration.
Startups today have access to more tools and resources than ever before, making their job easier to design unique products. When they collaborate with proto-fabrication services startups can gain physical prototypes that can be made in quick turnaround times.
What is rapid prototyping?
Rapid prototyping is a method employed to quickly create and build models of products. In order to achieve this experts in rapid prototyping use sophisticated tools like 3D printers computers-controlled cutting machines and highly skilled model makers for staff. They can design detailed prototypes that can be scaled without an enormous amount of effort. The primary goal of the rapid prototyping a product technique is to establish all little specifics of the product before it is sent to the client.
Different kinds of Rapid Prototyping Methods
Startups have the option of using numerous rapid prototyping techniques to swiftly develop and test their product. Some of the most sought-after alternatives include:
- 3D printing
- Fusion of the powder bed
- Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining
- Manufacturing molds and casting
Startups can make use of prototyping to speed up the development of their products. Check out the benefits of six that rapid prototyping offers them.
1. Reduce costs
For start-ups using rapid prototyping the most significant benefit is the cost. The majority of start-up businesses don’t have the quantity of cash to purchase manufacturing technology , and consequently do not have the funds to create its own product. Through collaboration with outside prototyping services, start-ups are able to reap the advantages of modern manufacturing techniques like CNC cutting 3D printing, CNC machining, and sheet metal production without having to pay high costs. Furthermore you could consider rapid prototyping to be “toolless” manufacturing. It is significantly faster than traditional molding techniques. As the design is developed you can create multiple designs without waiting for changes to the tool.
Another benefit to speedy prototyping is that the latest technology derived directly from CAD data lets you be confident that your product will be released in the very first instance. Even with a brief amount of time, you will be able to achieve the appearance and functionality you desire.
2. Expertise
In the wake of the cost-effectiveness of working with prototyping partners for manufacturing most start-ups do not possess the skills or know-how to build high-quality prototypes at home. Training employees on existing skills or hiring experts in rapid prototyping are costs that most start-ups are trying to avoid. With the help of manufacturing services, start-ups can count on well-trained and skilled experts to develop products. Thus, new businesses can concentrate on the design, development, testing and marketing of their products, without having to worry about manufacturing processes such as machine settings and other areas that rapid prototyping is adept at.
3. Make time
Another reason entrepreneurs should use rapid prototyping services for developing products is the time. We all know that cutting down on time means saving money The faster the product can be launched the more successful. The manufacturing process for prototypes does not require tools meaning that the components are produced directly. This reduces the total phase of the process of developing (and is expensive) and allows companies to test designs quickly prior to entering production. Innovative processes like CNC machine and 3D printing allow for the creation of prototypes using the CAD files, which means that prototypes are produced rapidly and with high accuracy. Due to its vast capability in manufacturing, fast prototyping solutions like SANS Machining can also guarantee the turnaround time to be less than three days.
4. Flexibility
Processes that are not made using tools (such as CNC cutting as well as sheet processing) are also a source of being flexible. For start-ups, using prototyping services lets them get cost-effective prototypes with the shortest timeframe which allows them to assess and test their designs. If there’s a problem in the design of the product, the company can quickly return to the drawing table or make modifications to the CAD model, and create a new prototype in just a few days. This is a significant benefit as it provides start-ups with the ability to make improvements to their product without incurring costly costs, while keeping the control of timelines to go to market. Rapid prototyping opens up new possibilities for startups as well as all design teams as they do not have to be concerned about the necessity to modify the design and extend the process of development.
5. Product visualization
Start-ups also benefit from the precision of manufacturing prototypes. This is the case at many levels. At the initial design phase Rapid prototyping is a method to create inexpensive, but accurate visual prototypes that allow designers can demonstrate to the stakeholders how the finished product appears like. At this point, costs can be cut down by using less expensive materials (such as polymers) and less tolerances. Physical representations of products offers a lot of advantages. Customers do not have to visualize the look and feel of the product on sketches or images. They can hold and see the product using their eyes.
6. Tests of the product
With the advancement of prototyping processes Prototyping also allows for the creation of real-looking parts that are not only identical to the final product however, they also function. Prototypes are generally constructed from end-of-life substances (or equivalent materials) and are highly tolerant and is able to be tested. When starting out using prototypes, manufacturing can help simplify the testing process and reduce the time from idea to market without taking shortcuts.
