Date: 02:41 PM GMT, 10/08/2009
From: Mario Madrigal
I work for ProtoPulsion (a 3D printer vendor) and their rapid prototyping services bureau (ProtoCafe). We are a full turnkey service bureau that can provide everything from 3D CAD services to prototyping to complete finishing on all models. We've collaborated with many individuals designers to Fortune 500 companies to big design firms.
We work with a wide range of materials and just a few of our prototyping services include:
-FDM using ABS and ABSplus material
-Polymer objet (which layers in 16 microns)
-RTV molds/Urethane Casting for a cheaper alternative to injection molding
-Laser cutting/etching/marking
We are located in Redwood City, CA and offer great quality and fast turn around times. The company’s founders are Stanford alums and are involved with the Product Realization Network as they hope to be of more assistance to the design community at Stanford.
Be sure to check us out and view all of our capabilities at:
www.protopulsion.com
http://www.protocafe.com/index.html
Best,
Mario
Date: 03:41 PM GMT, 04/20/2006
From: Alfred H Raschdorf Jr
Thanks to everyone who sent along a recommendation. I decided to go and quote them all (either because I was curious or because I didn't have enough to do that night...)
I quoted a bunch of different processes and materials, but decided to go with an SLA Material called Somos 11120. It turns out that most places have a level materials fee unless you go to some of the newer or high performance plastics. I was surprised to see how different the quotes were (from $287 to $633) It may be due to some places having a higher degree of "Basic" finishing.
Ironically, QuickParts, the place I started at, won the Frugal award in the end.
Here's a chart of the results (All quote for 4 parts, Somos 11120, SLA, the most basic finish):
| Company |
Web Address |
Number of Recommendations |
Comments from PD'ers |
My Comments |
| quickparts |
www.quickparts.com |
- |
- |
Easy to use - lots of material and process choices |
| solidconcepts |
www.solidconcepts.com |
3 |
|
has online quoting, have to upload 1 at a time |
| RPDG |
http://www.rpdg.com |
2 |
online quoting of different processes |
nice interface |
| Arrk |
|
1 |
|
no easy quoting - have to call first |
| Appronto |
www.approto.com |
1 |
instant quotes |
I liked the interface |
| Xpress3D |
www.xpress3d.com |
1 |
has polyjet |
kind of a travelocity/expedia for the 3d prototyping world |
| Fineline |
www.finelineprototyping.com |
2 |
parts are cheap, has high precision capability, HT12920 mimics polycarb |
does not have flexible parts, can't quote different materials in same quote |
| Protogenic |
www.protogenic.com |
1 |
|
send an email to get the quote |
| PrototypesPlus |
www.prototypesplus.com |
1 |
cheap, but may have issues with quality/management |
in menlo park - no web interface |
| Harvest Tech |
www.harvest-tech.com |
1 |
generally good service and competitive pricing |
odd - I mailed in the files, but didn't remember specifying material |
| |
http://www.arptech.com.au/srvcompare.htm |
|
good chart that compares processes |
|
Also see the SLA Providers wiki page.
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