In general, the most well-known use of 3D printing is prototyping, which was completely prevalent until recently. Many Czech companies have adopted or at least tried 3D printing in this area. 3D printing has not only incredibly accelerated the development of new products, but most importantly has allowed for more variation through slight design changes and testing. It is thus possible to develop products with significantly better properties or better reflecting the needs of users.
First models
For testing the first models with small design changes, the best solution seems to be to buy your own 3D printer. You don't have to worry about revealing sensitive data, you print whenever you need and the prints are immediately available. Choose this option if you can get by with the materials of one chosen 3D printing method.
For this initial prototyping, companies often make do with 3D printers using 3D printing technology from a plastic string - the so-called FDM. Even here, however, if you need precision during prototyping - for example, for individual parts to fit together - choose professional FDM printers.
Models for testing
With higher requirements for the properties of printed models or prototypes, it will be better to use 3D printers, the prices of which range from hundreds of thousands to millions of CZK. Before you buy a professional or even industrial machine, we recommend trying out custom 3D printing services. After you have reached the stage where the chosen 3D printing technology has proven itself to you and you will use it regularly, it is time to think about buying your own 3D printer.
For detailed parts and products - jewelry, very precise gears... - printing on printers using stereolithography technology (based on laser, DLP or LCD) or MJP is most suitable. cotu s.r.o. he is a very experienced expert testing and using dozens of resins with various physical properties.
Professional mockups and functional prototypes
Producing professional looking mockups or even functional prototypes is not that easy. The problem is usually the rough surface of 3D prints, which requires surface treatment in the form of sanding and painting.
It is mostly high-quality and precise handwork. But the result is worth it.Even a relatively cheap 3D print made of plastic can be modified to look like a metal casting, ceramic or glass and have a completely smooth surface.
You can use such mock-ups or prototypes to shoot an advertisement or take advertising photos long before the finished products are produced. You can use them to present yourself at exhibitions or in front of investors and not rely on cold computer visualizations. Market research with them is also much more accurate than using unsightly FDM prints.
The final prototypes can also serve as a core for molds for small series production. We recommend this option when you care about the overall appearance, and especially the surface of prototypes or first products. Instead of surface treatment of several pieces, only the core of the mold (the so-called master model) is perfectly surface treated and you remove a perfect copy of it from the mold with a perfect surface.
We believe that the availability of 3D printing will facilitate the development of products for you as well, and will rekindle interest in inventing new products and others. Do you already have an idea? We will be happy to discuss it with you. Contact us.
