Prototype 3D Printing in Lancashire

Turn your design into something you can hold, test and improve

A CAD model can look perfect on screen and still have problems in the real world.

Sometimes the quickest way to find out is to 3D print the part and test it.

We provide prototype 3D printing in Lancashire for product development, design validation, fit checks and functional testing.

With parts up to 250 × 250 × 250mm, we can turn your digital design into a physical prototype before you commit to more expensive manufacturing.

3D printing as a product development tool

For the most part we don’t tend to use 3D printing to create a finished product. There are some exceptions and we have made production runs for industrial clients.

However we more commonly see it as a tool for making better engineering decisions.

A physical prototype can reveal problems that aren’t obvious on a computer screen.

It allows you to hold the part, assemble it, test it and make changes before committing to tooling, machining or production.

That can save considerably more money than the cost of the prototype itself.

Prototype before you commit

Injection moulding can be extremely cost-effective at volume.

Machining can produce accurate and durable final parts.

But neither is necessarily the best place to start when a design is still changing.

3D printing allows you to test the design first without making fixtures or molds. Iterations can be made within hours of each other.

You can produce a prototype without committing to injection moulding tooling or a larger machining order.

Find the problems.

Modify the design.

Print it again.

Repeat until you’re confident.

Check fit and assembly

A prototype is particularly useful when several components need to work together.

Use a 3D printed prototype to check:

• Component fit
• Hole positions
• Clearances
• Interfaces
• Assembly sequence
• Moving parts
• Fasteners
• Access for tools
• Overall dimensions

A few hours spent testing a physical prototype can prevent much more expensive changes later.

It can also be useful for design reviews, customer presentations and demonstrating a product before committing to production. Imagine a pitch where you can hand a physical part to someboday, rather than just show them a brochure!

Prototype design and development

If you already have a finished 3D model, we can work from your supplied file.

But the process doesn’t have to start there.

If you have an idea, sketch, existing component or engineering problem, we can help develop the design into something that can be manufactured.

This is where 3D printing becomes particularly valuable.

Rather than simply producing a print, we can consider how the design will eventually be made.

That might mean 3D printing the first prototype, refining the design and then moving to CNC machining or another manufacturing process when the design is proven.

From prototype to production

3D printing isn’t always the right manufacturing method.

Sometimes it is.

Sometimes the prototype proves that CNC machining is the better option.

For higher volumes, injection moulding may make more sense.

The important thing is to choose the manufacturing process after the design has been properly tested.

We can help you make that decision.

When 3D printing can be the better manufacturing option

3D printing isn’t only useful for prototypes.

For some applications, a printed component can provide a practical alternative to conventional fabrication.

We have used 3D printing for industrial applications where the printed component offered a combination of lower cost, reduced manufacturing complexity and better performance than a conventionally fabricated part.

This can be particularly useful for:

• Brackets and mounts
• Guards and covers
• Jigs and fixtures
• Bespoke components
• Enclosures
• Lightweight structures
• Replacement components
• Low-volume parts

The best manufacturing method depends on the application.

We’ll help you consider the options rather than automatically recommending 3D printing.

250 × 250 × 250mm maximum part size

Our maximum single-piece print size is:

250 × 250 × 250mm

If your component is larger than this, it may still be possible to design the part as multiple components and assemble them afterwards.

We’ll advise on the most practical approach for your application.

Based in Lancashire. Shipping across the UK.

We’re based in Lancashire and work with customers locally and throughout the UK.

If you’re developing a new product, improving an existing design or simply need to prove an idea before spending money on production, we can help.

Parts can be supplied locally or shipped anywhere in the UK.

Need to prove your design before committing to production?

Don’t wait until the tooling has been ordered to find the problem.

Get a physical prototype in your hands first.

We provide prototype 3D printing in Lancashire for design validation, fit and assembly checks, product development and functional testing.

Send us your CAD file, drawing or even an early-stage idea.

We’ll look at the project and help you decide the most sensible way forward.

Get in touch to discuss your prototype.