[ List Subjects ][ Current Board ][ Post Message ]
[ View Followups ][ Post Followup ]

Date: 12/03/00 at 12:02 PM
Posted by: Carl Howarth
E-mail: Howarthc@mediaone.net

In Reply to: making a proto-type posted by Dale Atwood on 12/03/00 at 11:31 AM:

Dale,

It sounds to me like the root of the problem is that you are trying to prototype a product that has many different types of materials/processes. Prototypers usually work with one or two 'core competencies', like plastics and rubber or stamping. A single source that can accomodate all materials/processes is a rare find.

You might need to contact a prototype house that specializes in plastic to do your rubber and plastic, and a separate source for the steel work.

A note on the plastic and rubber: producing a prototype tool (that will be capable of using your 'design intent' material) can be expensive. You can substitute materials to get through prototype and save time and money. For example, you could get stereolithography, SLS, or '3D printed' models of your plastic parts, and then construct a soft tool to 'cast' your parts from thermosets. Polyesters, urethanes, or epoxy thermosets can be modified to allow you to cast a flexible part.

For the stamping, I suggest using a metal house that has laser cutting ability. The will cut the blank and then bend it into shape, and perhaps do some welding as well.

These services are fairly common here in Detroit.

Good luck,

Carl

Follow Ups:

  Re: making a proto-type charles surrusco   Posted at: 09/03/02 (0)

Post a Follow-up:

Name:
E-Mail:
Subject:

Message to Post: