In response to the question of whether it’s worth investing in prototype tooling for a new plastic product, the answer is a resounding yes. For both simple and complex designs, prototyping plays a critical role in the manufacturing process. The bottom line is that prototype companies can actually save you money in the long run by helping to identify and avoid problems before production begins.

What Makes a Plastic Prototype Service So Valuable?

Let’s say you have a company that makes children’s toys. To earn both the trust and respect of consumers, you have to make products that function well and meet the highest safety standards. You want to bring the products to market as quickly as possible, and, of course, cost is a factor. How do you accomplish this when you’re starting with a design that only exists in CAD (or maybe, on paper)?

By using a plastic prototype service, you can find help in bringing your design to the marketplace. You avoid rushing into the production phase with a flawed design. Just imagine having thousands upon thousands of children’s toys made only for consumers to complain because they didn’t work as described. Not only would your company lose a significant amount of money, but that could also put its reputation in jeopardy.

By hiring one of the top prototype manufacturing companies from the start of the program, your team can ensure that every aspect of the design meets, if not exceeds, the highest standards. Not only can prototype samples be made quickly and easily, but an expert supplier can also anticipate production issues regarding appearance, function, ease in molding, and the materials to be used. After considering these issues and making any necessary modifications to your product design and the tools required to make them, you can then have the product mass-produced and readied for the market.

The Process is the Key

The most respected prototype companies have one goal in mind. That is to create an accurate and precise model of the customer’s design. How do they accomplish this?

First, the prototype provider will work with your design to get a 3D CAD model that fully represents all aspects of the part. This includes making sure all of the pieces are represented, that they fit together as intended, and that any design issues that may complicate production of the part have been identified.

Next, a plastic prototype service can offer a full range of services, starting with fabricating the first samples. These can be made by 3D printing, CNC machining, or a whole range of other rapid prototyping options. The key here is to get a solid model of your digital design. Once you are happy with the results, it’s time to move on to tooling.

Some manufacturers skip the prototype tool phase, but it can be a lifesaver when it comes to investing in injection molds for large volume production. By making prototype tools first, the supplier can anticipate and solve some of the design issues that may not work in production. For example, you may want to avoid a seam at a certain point in a part. The tool maker may not consider this when designing the tool. Using experienced prototype companies can help you avoid this issue – or solve the issue if it does arise.

Once you are happy with the prototype parts, and you have optimized the tooling plan, the supplier can work with you to source the production tools. Some companies offer both prototype and production tooling services, while others specialize in one or the other. Either way, you’ll end up with a final product that meets your needs with less scrap and wasted time than if you had skipped the prototype phase.

Outstanding Prototyping Services

As a leader among prototype manufacturing companies, you can trust the services that we provide at Global Technology Ventures, Inc. To learn more about our capabilities or for a free quote, give us a call today.