There's no doubt that one of the most important parts of product design is prototyping.
After all, what does it matter if you have the greatest design since sliced bread if you aren't able to produce it? At the end of the day, it's all about whether or not the product works.
However, one of the key factors in whether or not your prototype passes the test is the quality of the prototype machine shop that you choose. There are a lot of options available on the market, so it can be difficult to find the right machine shop for your product.
In this article, we'll equip you with five top tips that you can implement in your search for the perfect prototype model shop.
1. Know Precision Level
The first thing to research when you're looking at various prototype shop options is to know the precision level that they can produce. Different machines and different technologies can produce items at varying levels of precision.
If you have a very intricate product design, then you're going to need to know that the precision level of the machine shop in question is extremely high.
One thing that's important to note is that there is such a thing as buying service from an overprecise shop. Excessive precision does not come cheap; if your product doesn't need that level of precision, then there's no reason to spend more money on that. Save the money for additional research and development.
2. Check Turnaround Time
Chances are, the timing of your prototype production is going to have a heavy effect on the rest of the research and development process. Any kinks in this timeline could present a huge setback.
Check to make sure that the shop in question has a history of sticking to deadlines.
3. Research Industry Credibility
As with any company you're looking at doing business with, do a quick Google search to check up on their industry credibility. Do they have a plethora of positive reviews? Does their website have the necessary certifications?
A quick Internet search can tell you a lot about the company you're looking at.
4. Ask About a Quality Guarantee
One of the important things that you ought to look for in prototype machine shops is a quality guarantee. This will make it much more likely that you'll be able to get a refund or re-do on a poorly-produced prototype.
5. Review Pricing
Last but not least, make sure to get pricing before you sign any kind of legal document with the company. Balance the quote you receive against the quality of the service that you'll get to figure out whether or not it is a good investment.
How to Select the Right Prototype Machine Shop for You
There you have it. With these tips under your belt, choosing the right prototype machine shop for your business should be a breeze.
For more business advice for your machine shop, check out the rest of the articles on our website before you leave!
