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Dear Ed;
I'm still looking for the perfect rapid prototyping process for my aviation toy
company. In your opinion what method would be ideal to produce highly accurate
pre-production prototypes for lets say 1/48 or 1/72 scale aircraft (airplanes and
helicopters)?
Thank You!
JH
Hi JH:
There are no perfect processes in the RP world. That has actually been proven in the
laboratory.
I would say that the only process that lends itself strongly to your needs are the
inkjet-based machines from Solidscape (called ModelMaker Series). These provide very high
resolution, but are fairly slow. Fortunately what you have to make are generally small
sizes so the time won't be terrible. These machines are somewhat expensive, though, so
you'd want to work through a SB in your area preferably before springing for one.
Another choice to look into are small, accurate CNC millers. At the low end, you might
get away with one of the machines from Roland and others. They make very inexpensive
equipment, and it has limitations, but it may be OK for the price. It helps to be
knowledgeable about machining for this solution.
Once you get a prototype in your hands, the choice is complex to create multiples.
Depends on what you need to do and how much $ you've got.
You can find these companies and all the available tooling choices on our web site, of
course.
Ed Grenda
Castle Island Co.
Ed;
Thank you so much for the insight! My thought was to use RP strictly for the original
prototype of each of my aircraft to use as sales and marketing pieces. Then, I would like
to do the mass production overseas, using either die cast metal and or plastic.
I'm striving for my products to be of the highest quality and perhaps search out new
production methods and materials that will set my product apart from the rest. I have only
began to figure out how I can streamline all these processes.
I would prefer to produce the models here in the US but my research has shown it would
be far too costly! Do you have any ideas?
Thank You;
JH
Hi JH:
I have no idea the state of development of your business, your resources and other
considerations so it's not possible to make specific recommendations. That's what people
pay me consulting fees for!
You have to consider your entire situation, and your business goals, etc., in order to
get the right answers, I'd say. I would not completely dismiss the possibility of
manufacturing here in the US, but it depends on your quantities, specific market,
technical aspects, and many other considerations. There are both advantages and
disadvantages for either US or foreign production, but there's no simple snap answer to
this. Gotta think of this in the context of your business and seek innovative solutions.
If you are new to manufacturing and this market, I would suggest that you stick with
tried and true manufacturing methodologies and materials, however. You don't want to be
starting a business using an experimental or unusual path right away. Develop your product
differentiation from a marketing aspect at first. (Items no one else makes, more detailed,
accurate, does tricks - whatever.) Then once you have your sea legs with a couple of
products out it'll be easier to try something different technically. Besides, finding
something different technically in this market won't be easy, I suspect. Seems to be a lot
of guys out there who've done a lot of things for a lot of years.
RP might apply to a number of aspects of what you're doing, but here again, you want to
develop an overall business system that utilizes technology in an appropriate and economic
manner, and won't drive you crazy. Might require RP, might not. The goal should be to make
maximum bucks.
I hope this helps and I send best regards.
Ed Grenda
Castle Island Co.
Dear Ed;
Thank you again for the guidance!
I will finish up my overall business plan. The marketing, licensing and trademark end
of it is pretty well put together. The part I’m trying to get up to speed on as quickly as
possible is understanding the prototype and manufacturing end of the business.
That's why I was so glad to find your web site.
Best Regards;
JH
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