Tuesday, September 6, 2016

What To Look For When Choosing Accelerated Prototype Services

By Betty Price


When you get ready to invent a tangible good, you will want to have an actual physical sample that you can show off to your prospective investors. As such, it is vital to start shopping around for reputable, accelerated prototype services as soon as you can. The features that follow are among some of the most important considerations to make as you screen different prototyping companies.

The ability to complete the project within a nominal amount of time is of course, a key factor to look for. It will be next to impossible to make a positive impression on prospective investors if you do not have a tangible item to show. See what the normal processing time is and whether additional charges are placed on expedite orders.

It is important look for prototyping companies that are familiar with the needs and nuances of your niche. These should be businesses that have manufactured products like your own before. They are virtually guaranteed to have the right equipment and skills for bringing your project together in a smooth and seamless fashion and with acceptable results.

Ask about the different options in project materials that are available. Your unit might be comprised of plastic entirely or it could have attachments or other components that are comprised of metal. You want to have people on your prototyping team who are capable of adhering to the exact specifications of your design.

Another important thing to note is whether the company has its own in-house design engineers who can review and improve your design for greater integrity and feasibility. When design ideas are still conceptual, this help can be invaluable. If technical problems are experienced, professionals like these can also identify and resolve the flaws. They can even suggest different type of materials for enhancing the overall efficacy of your product.

More often than not, your prototype supplier will charge you a much higher per unit cost when your order volume is very low. Thus, if you just need one or two units, your out of pocket costs will be high. If hundreds of units are added, the per unit cost will invariably decrease. Look for professionals who can provide affordable rates irrespective of what your order volume might be.

It could be best to choose a supplier that can help out with other production projects, especially if your latest design happens to generate a vast amount of attention. If your unit is well-received by investors or the general public, your provider can help you with additional orders or can make prototypes of other design concepts you currently have. This is a smart strategy for keeping your supply chain affordable.

Last, learn which quality control practice the company uses. This is vital to do if you have an order for prototypes that will get passed directly from the producer into the hands of third-parties without your having the opportunity to first inspect these. Although you may have the option of reviewing the proofs for this unit, there could come a time where a number of items are created an immediately shipped out for you. During times like these, you want to rest assured that the quality control measures being used are fairly stringent.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment