Rapid Prototyping Laboratory

Providing rapid, state-of-the-art prototyping, which allows verification and optimization of designs quickly and accurately, resulting in time and cost savings when compared to traditional prototyping methods.

• Errors can be detected early in the design process therefore, cutting costs
• Producibility, test, and maintenance aspects of the design are easily evaluated

Utilizing state-of-the-art Rapid Prototyping technologies, parts can be quickly and economically fabricated in various materials (ABS plastic, wax, epoxy, laminated paper, polycarbonate, solid starch and various types of metals), depending on intended use. Whether a customer needs to access interfaces and ergonomics, or just needs a physical demonstration piece to articulate a concept, the PIF can quickly turn drawing/engineering files into reality. During the design phase, the PIF’s rapid prototyping technologies provide a streamlined verification system for hardware concepts, as well as checkpoints later in the process. Rapid prototyping capabilities include Stereo Lithography, Fuse Deposition Modeling, Laminated Object Manufacturing, Selective Laser Sintering, Three Dimensional Printing, Multi-Jet Modeling, and Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS).

• Stereolithography (SLA) builds a part one layer at a time from a liquid photopolymer, with each layer typically 0.006 inches thick
• The SLA part is built directly from Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings
• Typical lead times are 2-5 days
• Complex parts can be fabricated in hours/days
• Designs can be received electronically