HomeSectors We Work InAutomation and Industrial Engineering SectorAutomation and Industrial Engineering Sector For many industrial engineering projects, there isn’t a... Continue reading
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Automation and Industrial Engineering Sector
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Prototyping and low-volume manufacturing for industrial systems
Automation and industrial engineering projects rarely stand still for long. A bracket changes, a sensor moves, a gripper needs refining, or a machine build reaches the point where a component is needed now, not several weeks from now.
Prototype Projects supports automation engineers, machine builders and industrial equipment manufacturers with functional prototypes, jigs, fixtures and low-volume production parts for the development and manufacture of machinery and automated systems.
From strong SLS components and CNC-machined tooling to production-grade injection moulded parts, we can support projects from initial testing through to pilot and low-volume production. With a wide range of processes available from our Royston facility, you can also move between manufacturing technologies as your design and volume requirements change.
Why automation and industrial engineering teams work with us
Parts designed to do a job Industrial prototypes often need to be functional from the outset. They may need to hold components in position, locate an assembly, withstand repeated handling or become part of a working machine. We offer processes and engineering materials suited to functional testing as well as visual evaluation.
A wide range of processes under one roof CNC machining, SLS, SLA, PSLA, DLP, injection moulding, vacuum casting, model making and finishing are available through one supplier. That makes it easier to use different manufacturing processes across an assembly, or move from a fast prototype to a more production-representative component as development progresses.
Fast turnaround for design iterations Development rarely happens in a straight line. SLS, SLA and DLP 3D printed parts are available with overnight dispatch, alongside 3, 7 and 12 working day options, for Micro 3D Printing. Our CNC machining service offers flexible lead times, with a 3-day service available for suitable parts. This gives engineering teams the flexibility to test, modify and test again without unnecessary delays.
UK-based manufacturing Our main manufacturing processes are carried out at our Royston facility, keeping communication straightforward and giving you direct access to the people producing your parts. For engineering teams working to fixed machine-build, commissioning or installation dates, having a responsive UK manufacturing partner can make a significant difference.
Support from prototype through to low-volume production The process that works for the first prototype is not necessarily the right one for the next fifty or five hundred parts. We can help you move from additive manufacturing or CNC machining into vacuum casting, low-volume CNC production or injection moulding when quantities and requirements change.
Quality and inspection Our facility operates under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accredited management systems. Dimensional inspection and inspection reports are also available where critical features, mechanical interfaces or tolerances need to be verified before parts are put into use.
Services relevant to automation and industrial engineering
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): SLS is particularly well suited to industrial applications because it produces strong, durable nylon components without support structures or tooling. Typical uses include grippers, gripper jaws, jigs, fixtures, brackets, housings and parts containing internal vacuum or compressed-air passageways. We use PA 2200 CarbonReduced, a material specifically suited to production equipment including grippers, jigs and fixtures.
Learn more about SLS →
CNC Machining: CNC milling and turning provide functional components in metals and engineering plastics, making the process well suited to jigs, fixtures, tooling, mounting components, machine parts and mechanical interfaces. We machine materials including aluminium, stainless steel, acetal and a wide range of other engineering plastics and metals.
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PSLA 3D Printing: PSLA combines fast production with strong engineering resin and a smooth surface finish. It’s particularly useful for housings, brackets, connectors and functional engineering components, as well as short production runs where tooling isn’t yet justified.
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SLA 3D Printing: SLA is well suited to accurate housings, covers, test components and larger prototype parts where surface finish and dimensional detail are important. Our SLA 750 provides additional capacity for large components and assemblies, while materials including Accura Xtreme and HI-TEMP 300 AMB provide options for different functional requirements.
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Vacuum Casting: When several copies of a component are needed for testing or machine trials, vacuum casting can provide small batches of polyurethane parts without investing in production tooling. A range of rigid and flexible material properties can be reproduced, making it useful for seals, covers, housings, handles and other production-representative components.
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Injection Moulding: For components moving into ongoing production, our injection moulding service provides repeatable parts in production-grade thermoplastics. UK-made aluminium and steel tooling options allow the tooling approach to be matched to expected quantities, component requirements and budget.
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Inspection Services: Dimensional inspection can be incorporated into your order where parts need to fit existing equipment, locate accurately within an assembly or meet specified tolerances. Inspection reports are available where documented verification is required.
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Typical applications
We regularly produce components for industrial and automation applications including:
- Robotic grippers, gripper fingers and end-of-arm tooling
- Jigs, fixtures, nests and assembly aids
- Sensor, camera and actuator brackets
- Machine housings, covers and protective components
- Conveyor guides, stops and handling components
- Control system and instrumentation housings
- Vacuum and compressed-air components, including parts with internal channels
- Mounting plates, spacers, bushes and mechanical interface components
- Functional parts for test rigs and development machinery
- Low-volume end-use components for industrial equipment
Materials for industrial applications
Material selection depends on what the part needs to do. A component used for a quick fit check has very different requirements from a gripper running repeated cycles on an automated production line.
For CNC-machined parts, commonly specified materials include aluminium 6082 for lightweight general engineering components, stainless steel where strength or corrosion resistance is required, and acetal for durable engineering plastic components with good dimensional stability. A wider range of metals and engineering plastics is available depending on the application.
For SLS components, PA 2200 CarbonReduced provides a balanced combination of mechanical properties, surface quality and accuracy and is well suited to functional industrial components such as grippers, jigs and fixtures.
For resin 3D printing, material choice can be matched more closely to the application, from strong engineering-grade PSLA components to SLA materials offering characteristics including ABS-like behaviour, flexibility, transparency and high-temperature resistance.
From one-off prototype to repeatable production
One of the biggest advantages of working with a supplier offering multiple manufacturing processes is that the production route can change as the project develops.
An SLS component might be the quickest way to test a new gripper design. CNC machining may then be appropriate where metal construction or tighter mechanical interfaces are required. If a plastic component becomes a regular production requirement, injection moulding may offer the better route as quantities increase.
You don’t need to decide the entire manufacturing journey at the start. We can help you choose the process that makes sense for the stage your project has reached, while considering where it may need to go next.
Ready to discuss your project?
Whether you’re developing a new automation system, building special-purpose machinery, refining an existing production line or simply need additional manufacturing capacity, our team is happy to talk through your requirements.
From one-off functional prototypes to jigs, fixtures and repeatable low-volume production parts, we can extend your in-house capability and help keep development moving.
Call us on 01763 249760, email us, or use the quote form below.
Request a Quote
Please Note: requests for our 3-Day production speed must meet our 3-Day criteria. All final data for our 3-Day production speed is required by 4.30pm.
To request a quote for any of our other technologies/services, such as Vacuum Casting, Model Making and Laser Cutting, please complete this contact form.
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