In or Out? Who should do your prototyping?

One of the big questions facing product design agencies, engineering design companies and indeed manufacturers with their own product design and development functions is the “in” or “out” question.

Whether to invest in their own in-house prototyping technology or to contract prototyping out to a service provider bureau.

For a topical example of ‘why’ it’s being discussed, look no further than 3D printing. The reason? Because the cost of the technology is, without question, reducing.

Or is it?

After all, 3D Printing is an umbrella term covering several types of technology – such as SLA and Laser Sintering.

So, while the principle of your own, in-house 3D printing technology platform can be liberating in terms of control, and the freedom to design and produce multiple iterations quickly and easily, it’s going to be quite limiting in terms of what you can actually do with it.

The answer to the in or out question cannot, unfortunately, be a “yes” or a “no”.

There are simply too many conditional questions, and despite the wonders of what’s possible with today’s prototyping technologies, the limiting factor is going to be that not all technologies are suitable for producing all types and sizes of parts, finish qualities and property characteristics.

Add to this the running costs, including, but not limited to consumables and the skills needed to operate the complex machines.

So: when it comes to form, fit and, particularly, function, the industrial grade prototyping machines including SLA, Laser Sintering and FDM that will meet these needs are usually exponentially more expensive to buy and operate.

It is at this point it seems that we’re answering the in or out question with ‘it depends’.

Insourcing can be the answer. But partnering with an experienced prototyping bureau service provider such as Prototype Projects can be a more cost effective and option — particularly a service provider that can offer a whole range of prototyping services for different requirements and to achieve different finishes and properties.

If they’re really good, your prototyping provider will also have the expertise across a range of processes which means they can provide unbiased support and advice on which prototyping approach to use to deliver the results you need.

Want to know more? Ask Prototype Projects about our Intergrated Prototyping Service – call us for a friendly chat on 01763 249760.