Manufacturing has been relying on a supply chain as long as manufacturing has existed. For many items, this has provided low cost and high-quality components from a variety of sources, some next door, others across the globe. With recent world events that have revealed some of the shortcomings of this situation, such as transportation delays and labor shortages, many manufacturers are looking at ways to bolster their supply chain by sourcing work to suppliers closer to home or by expanding their sources to ensure against localized problems. What many manufacturers are learning is that rapid prototyping services can play an important role in expanding and strengthening the supply chain.
What Is Rapid Prototype Machining?
Rapid prototyping is more than just 3D printing. Rapid prototyping companies use a broad range of technologies, ranging from additive manufacturing (“3D printing”) to CNC machining, SLS, SLA, and may other approaches. All of these techniques can provide a precision prototype with material, appearance, and function that match the intention for the final production part. But rapid prototyping can also be used in production manufacturing.
Supply Chain Benefits of Rapid Prototyping Services
There are many ways in which rapid prototyping affects the overall manufacturing process, including improving the reliability of the supply chain.
Smaller Design Pipeline
Due to the increasing demand for professional rapid prototyping services, it’s easier than ever to find a qualified fabrication company. The best companies have talented designers and engineers as part of their teams, who can work hand-in-hand with your design team to optimize the production of your product. Together, you can optimize your design in less time than traditional approaches.
Reduced Shipping Times
A major benefit of using rapid prototyping in your business is the reductions in timing that can be achieved not only with the production of the parts themselves (from design to final), but also in the generally shorter distance the items need to travel to get to your facility. As mentioned before, you can probably find a number of rapid prototyping companies located no more than an overnight truck drive from your office or factory. And some companies have reduced the distance even further by bringing some 3D printing and other applications in house. For example, some medical and dental offices have machines that allow production of things like customized splints, dental crowns, or even parts used in joint replacements on a “while you wait” basis. While this approach is not for all, it does help to cut down on supply chain concerns.
Nearby Tooling and Production Options
New materials and methods used in rapid prototyping allow improvements in timing and supply chain in long lead time items like tooling. For example, RP parts can be used not only to verify and refine a design before you commit to production, but also as a master model for silicone tools or other approaches that may be used in small volume production runs. In addition, rapid prototype machining can sometimes be used to manufacture production parts in lieu of injection molding or other tool-intensive options. Such parts can be sourced more quickly, can be changed as design needs change, and thanks to the proximity of the prototype shop, are far less likely to be impacted by supply chain issues. Obviously, a nearby supplier reduces the reliance on ships, planes, and trains to bring your products to you. In addition, if you can manufacture parts using a rapid prototyping technology, it is easy to switch the production to a new supplier if an issue arises at the original source, because the design data is portable.
Your Go-To Source for Rapid Prototype Machining
For rapid prototyping and other phases of the manufacturing supply chain, GlobalTech Ventures is an outstanding source. Contact us today to learn how we can help your business.
