Moving Your Model Shop to the Next Level

How do you find your way through the maze of decisions that will lead to your magic show of prototypes? In order to ensure that you get to the stage and are able to produce your own brand of prototyping magic there are a number of choices that must be made.

After some discussion with several shop owners, a few common words of wisdom were shared concerning how to move your shop to the next level in prototyping. Of the most importance was keeping abreast of the latest trends and procedures for producing prototypes. In most cases, the customer with whom you work will know what is available in the market for producing their product, so you need to know these options in order to offer your customer the best product and service.

Selecting the Software

Many model shops have found that several software packages are needed to transfer the information from the client to the shop machinery. Some use Pro-E or Auto-Cad, which talk to CAM programs. Oftentimes the information must go into one program and then be transferred to yet another before the data is in a form that the machines can use. Software integration into your needed information path is a key factor to consider when deciding on the appropriate software. Also, keep in mind that this choice is tied to the machine that you will use in your model shop to produce a finished prototype.

Considerations

• Determine what the learning curve will be for the employees who will be using the software and where this training will take place.
• Research to ensure that the software company is established so that the appropriate support and technical assistance is given as well as new releases of the product when available.
• When dealing with a retailer of the software, make sure that the retailer can provide better and closer-to-home support.

Using RP Properly

Rapid prototyping may involve the use of a CNC mill or lathe, a CNC machining center, SLS or SLA. The cost for each varies from $40,000 up to $1 million. That's a big leap of faith for any model shop.

For example, one shop owner was moving from a traditional shop to SLA and before the owner could pay off the machine, the technology had surpassed the machine's capabilities. It was obsolete and the path taken by the owner was at a dead end. The lesson here is that a short leap is the best first step. Allow a service bureau to provide the SLS or SLA model prior to taking it on yourself. You can provide the interpolation of the data, and in turn, the model to the client.

The second larger, but manageable, step is to use a CNC machine, which is a controlled move that may later be expanded. This option also involves those factors considered during software and machine selection.

A recommended service to add to your model shop is providing CNC machined prototypes for your customers and then using a service bureau for the SLS or SLA work for your model shop. Making a partnership agreement - via a phone call, a handshake or a written deal - with a selected service bureau is another recommendation. This combination of technology and talent will help you to provide your customer with the best product possible. Meanwhile, you look like a magician who can pull off the project on schedule and within the stated budget.

"The best client is one that believes in magic," reads a sign on the wall of a model shop. So, make some magic happen in your model shop by spending some time learning about the new technologies on the market.