RAPID PROTOTYPING

With expertise in a wide array of rapid prototyping technologies, Liantuo is well-equipped to handle any prototyping project. Compared with CNC Machining Prototyping, Rapid Prototyping and 3D Printing have they own advantagies. Here we are gonna show you.

We have the experience necessary to guide our customers towards utilizing the ideal method and material for their unique project. Our in-depth knowledge of our in-house technologies allows our engineers to recommend which process will work best for your specialized needs.

Rapid Prototyping FAQ

Can you design for me?

 We do not offer design services. You should provide 2D and 3D CAD drawings and after receiving your order, we will be able to review Manufacturing Design. Read how to prepare design drawings for production.

Which formates of CAD files does accept?

We take STL(.stl), STEP(.stp), ProE(.prt), IGES(.igs), SolidWorks(.sldprt), Compressed folders(.ZIP) format to provide an accurate and timely quote. PDF format is required for 2D drawings with reference dimensions. As part of this technical documentation, you should provide complete manufacturing details. Informal contact through SMS or other means will not be accepted for manufacturing .

How long dose it take to get a quotation?

We will reply very soon, Normally within one day on weekdays.

Is my design going to be kept confidential?

Any non-disclosure or confidentiality arrangement would, of course, be signed and followed. We also have a strict policy in our factory that no photos of a customer’s product are ever permitted without their express permission. Finally, we depend on our long-standing reputation for collaborating with hundreds of thousands of innovative designs and never disclosing any confidential knowledge to a third party.

How does compare to other suppliers on price?

While direct comparisons are difficult, Liantuo prices for plastic injection mould equipment and CNC machined / turned parts will usually be 25-45 percent less than suppliers in North America and Europe. Rather than competing on price with Chinese suppliers, we prefer to provide the highest standards of efficiency, swift response, and skilled performance.

The cost of rapid prototyping

The factors that affect the cost of rapid prototyping are as follows:

1. Prototype accuracy: If you need to meet the tolerance requirements of 0.01mm, whether it is processing equipment or technical masters, our requirements are relatively high, so the cost will be relatively high.

2. The size and difficulty of the prototype: If the product structure is complex, the cost of rapid prototyping is much higher; if the overall size of the product is larger or the appearance is curved, the processing cost will also increase a lot.

3. Processing materials: Plastic or aluminum alloy or stainless steel, different materials will have different prices.

4. Surface treatment requirements: Post-processing such as injection molding, silk screen printing, electroplating, and laser engraving will increase manual processing costs.

How soon will I be able to receive my parts?

If you provide us with complete 2D and 3D CAD models, we can produce high-quality parts in as little as two weeks. More complex parts that require or other special features will take longer to complete. Request a quote to obtain more precise lead times for your project. In terms of shipping, the majority of our shipments are sent via air freight, which can take several days from China to Europe or North America.

Rapid Prototyping vs Subtractive Manufacturing

Subtractive Manufacuring is refer to the manufactures such as cutting drilling, milling and machining, which is a very imprtant way to make prototypes before the invention of 3D printing. However, I am not saying that CNC prototyping is not imprtand way anymore. They are both important in industry, but just have their own advantagies depend on the product you are making and the stage of produc development.

Rapid prototyping is typically referred to as an additive fabrication technology because the process involves building up the object by adding successive layers. This process involves providing 3D CAD information to the rapid prototyping machine, which uses that data to incrementally create the object. This is different than traditional subtractive methods such as milling, turning, EDM, etc. Subtractive techniques begin with raw material that is larger than the object to be created and material is removed or carved out to create the end product.