Prototyping services are a great way to gauge how successful your product will be, along with determining where any potential defects could arise during manufacturing or after. Whether it’s 3D printing, an extremely small-volume run of your product, or an enhanced CAD drawing and model, there are numerous ways plastic prototype manufacturers can create a prototype solution of your product.
Here are seven questions customers should ask plastic prototype manufacturers before selecting a partner
What Materials and Technologies Are Used to Create My Prototype?
Plastic prototype manufacturers can create your initial models through a variety of production processes. Some companies will use 3D printing capabilities with materials that aren’t as complex as the materials typically used in injection molding projects. Other companies might create a small batch run through injection molding that’s limited to or less than 100 parts.
Other Plastic Prototype Manufacturers Have DFM Support, Do You?
Seeking design for manufacturability (DFM) services during prototyping services is a strong move. A part of the point in prototyping services is to see how manufacturable your design and ultimately product truly is. Any issues that are discovered during prototyping services can be remedied through DFM support, as long as the manufacturer offers these services.
What Is Your Experience in Creating Products Like Mine in My Industry?
Experience matters for any production process, particularly in the search for a plastic prototype manufacturer. The more experience a company has with not just your industry, but your product or similar products, the more knowledge a manufacturer has at their disposal to help you and your team through the manufacturing process and in further enhancing your product.
How Does the Prototyping Process Typically Go, and What Are the Expected Timelines?
Getting a good understanding of the plastic prototype manufacturer’s process can eliminate any preconceived expectations regarding lead times, turnaround times, and testing protocols for prototyping services.
Collecting all information regarding the actual time constraints associated with prototyping services, including how they deal with rapid changes and prioritization of projects, can help you decide on a manufacturing company.
How Is Quality Management Performed in Prototyping Services
No matter how fast the prototyping process of any manufacturing company is, it should still adhere to a set standard of quality management practices that customers would expect to have during full production services. While prototyping is a way for you to see how your product will look, feel, and function, it should also be viewed as a trial run to see how a manufacturer handles your project, questions, and concerns.
Quality management practices should never be a concern. Key points to ask about include documentation, testing protocols, and any notes on defects, potential rework, or design overhauls.
Is There Transparency in Cost, Tooling, and Production?
Gaining clarity on the transparency of cost, tooling ownership, and scales of production prior to selecting a manufacturer is critical. These answers not only impact prototyping, but also your decision to choose a company for the full-scale production run. Gaining clarity on cost considerations includes tooling costs, per-piece costs, material costs, and labor and overhead.
Tooling ownership is critical. If the manufacturing company owns the tool, you’re either going to have to maintain that partnership or start all over again. Additionally, inquire if any modifications can be made to the tool as your design changes over time.
Beyond Prototyping, What Other Forms of Support Are Available?
Plastic prototype manufacturers are great at what they do, but there should be more readily available for you and your team. Factors such as moving the project from the prototyping stage to full-scale production, regardless of volume, should be part of their core set of capabilities. If a manufacturer only does prototyping services, how do they handle the transition with all of the data collected and transfer that to a different manufacturer?
Answering this question will be critical in selecting the right manufacturing company for you.
End Your Search for Plastic Prototype Manufacturers and Contact GAIM Plastics Today
GAIM Plastics is a full-service injection molding manufacturer located in the heart of Illinois. Beyond our standard and custom injection molding projects, we also have cost-effective, rapid prototyping capabilities where we’re able to create a first look at your project.
End your search for plastic prototype manufacturers today and contact our team. We’ll set up an initial consultation with you and get started on your project right away.