Choosing the Right 3D Printing Prototype Service: What to Look For

 In the past, it was difficult to find a 3D printing prototype service due to high costs and a limited number of companies providing it. But with the growing accessibility of additive manufacturing, service providers are now able to reduce their prices. The real challenge lies in determining which service provider truly has your best interests in mind. To make the process easier, look at the following factors when choosing a 3D printing partner:

 

 

 

What are their 3D printing capabilities?

 

Reputable prototyping specialists offer a wide range of tried-and-true additive manufacturing technologies like stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), and fused deposition modeling (FDM). Moreover, they specialize in advanced and specialized 3D printing technologies like ProJet MJP and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). Aim for a 3D printing prototype service with all these solutions to avoid finding multiple companies and save time.

 

 

What are their material options?

 

 

Look for a service that provides a diverse selection of materials such as plastics, resins, metals, and specialty materials for 3D printing. This wide range of options will make it easier to fulfill stringent demands related to factors like temperature, thermal resistance, flexibility, and strength.

 

Accuracy and quality

 

The quality and accuracy of a 3D printing prototype are crucial as they directly impact the prototype's aesthetics, reliability, and functionality. To ensure you receive top-notch results, choose a 3D printing prototype service provider that holds certifications like ISO 9001:2015, IATF 16949:2016, and ISO 14001. These certifications demonstrate the company's commitment to quality assurance and process control.

 

Additionally, it's a good idea to review the provider's case studies and sample prototypes. This will give you valuable insights into their capability to deliver accurate and high-quality prototypes. By examining their past projects, you can gauge their level of expertise and the standard of work they consistently achieve.

 

 

 

Lead times and costs

 

 

How long does it usually take for them to make a prototype? Ask about the lead time from when an order is placed until the delivery. Additional expenses and delays are inevitable with longer lead times, so verify the company’s turnaround time, workload, and communication. Likewise, ensure open and clear communication lines in case of potential delays or changes.

 

 

As for cost, it can depend on factors like the material, turnaround time, and the prototype’s complexity and size. Try comparing quotes from at least two 3D printing prototyping specialists to see who can provide the best value for your time and money.

 

 

Meet the best service provider!

 

 

Choose HLH Proto as your go-to 3D printing prototype service. We make high-quality prototypes with quality and speed at a reasonable cost. Start with a free project review from our expert team, or chat with us here to learn more about our services!

Source: https://blog.hlhproto.com/blog/2023/08/11/choosing-the-right-3d-printing-prototype-service-what-to-look-for/



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Art of Die-Casting: What Sets It Apart

If you require metal parts or prototypes in larger quantities, there are affordable manufacturing options that can decrease your production time and provide precise outcomes. Die-casting services are a great choice, particularly when you need parts manufactured from magnesium, zinc, or aluminum. You may be wondering: What distinguishes it from other manufacturing services like direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), injection molding, or CNC machining? Continue reading to learn about the process and its advantages.     How die casting works   Die casting follows a similar process to injection molding, but this time, for metals. That means a custom mold will be made based on your part’s design, and it will be installed on the die-casting press. When it’s ready, molten material will be injected at high pressure into the tool cavity. The finished parts can be further processed and finished by anodizing, powder coating, and other ways to meet your requirements. ...
Read more

What is SLS 3D printing?

Image
  SLS stands for Selective Laser Sintering, which is a 3D printing method where a polymer or thermoplastic powder is sintered by pointing a laser that transforms the powder into a solid plastic piece. This process is part of the group of Powder Bed Fusion technologies, and it achieves the fusion of the material by layers that represent cross sections of the model built in the CAD/CAM software. Although the explanation above seems to be describing a newly developed technology, the truth is that SLS 3D printing is one of the oldest additive manufacturing methods, first developed in the 80s by doctors Carl Deckard and Joe Beaman at the University of Texas at Austin. As with other 3D printing processes, it all begins with a 3D CAD model that is processed by the software of the printer to generate the layers that will be printed. After that, the SLS 3D printing process takes the following steps: 1.The platform where the piece is printed is located inside a chamber known as the powder bi...
Read more

How to Enhance Your Manufacturing Capabilities with 3D Printing and CNC Machining

Additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing) has revolutionized the prototyping and production of end-use parts and assemblies. However, despite this innovation, traditional manufacturing technologies remain invaluable. At HLH Proto, we often blend cutting-edge and time-tested methods such as additive and CNC printing to achieve the best results. This combination proves superior for certain projects and enhances overall manufacturing capabilities. Let us explain how integrating these solutions can elevate your production process:   Faster results Although you can make prototypes from CAD files in injection molding, 3D printing offers creative flexibility to improve designs along the way. Engineers and designers leverage these processes with CAM or CAD files for additive manufacturing. After improving their design with  additive printing , they can apply machining to enhance the part.   Save money   Manufacturing companies want to cut production costs,...
Read more