Worldwide Guide to Rapid Prototyping ad7a
Home prods links sb's patents Publ cont

RP's Frequently Asked Questions.

(C) Copyright Castle Island Co., All Rights Reserved.

Back back toc top fwd Next

Service bureaus.

The usual approach taken by individuals first getting involved with RP, is to use a service bureau for their first trials. This makes it possible to judge the results of a technology without a large investment in time, money or study. Once an understanding of the results and utility of a particular rapid prototyping technology is gained for a particular application, it may be time to consider getting in deeper by purchasing a system.

Select a service bureau by first selecting a rapid prototyping technology.
Use the rules of thumb below to select a technology to try. Many service bureaus will have more than one technology available, but very few have three or more. A good idea is to stay geographically close to home at first. This gives you an opportunity to meet with people and see their operation, and most especially to obtain a certain amount of education. Some service bureaus argue that a large fraction of their business comes from files sent over the web and that in these modern times human contact and geographic proximity is not necessary. That's true, but until you're educated stay close to home. It makes it so much easier to communicate your displeasure. Go farther afield later when you're shopping for price.

Select a service bureau that will provide the vertically integrated results that you need. Most have special abilities and experience. Select one that has all the services you need to get usable results. Additional information about selection criteria can be found in the service bureau directory pages.

 
Back back toc top fwd Next

From Here...

Service Bureau Directory
Brief RP Technology Tutorial
Detailed RP Technology Tutorial


Home | Products | RP Directory | Service Bureau Directory | RP Patents | RP Publications | Contact us

(C) Copyright Castle Island Co., All Rights Reserved.
REV 0b - - - 5/3/02; 9/28/04