Complexities of Rapid Prototyping in the 21st Century.

Prototek soon to appear on CNBC and Fox Business News - Subject: Complexities of Rapid Prototyping in the 21st Century.

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Contoocook, New Hampshire – November 16, 2009 - Prototek's new LC-C1 punch and laser combo is the perfect tool for rapid precision sheet metal fabrication. Along with their expansion in rapid turn machined parts, stereolithography, and 3D printing, they are still at the top of the rapid precision prototype market.

Prototek's new LC-C1 punch and laser combo is the perfect tool for rapid precision sheet metal fabrication. Along with their expansion in rapid turn machined parts, stereolithography, and 3D printing, they are still at the top of the rapid precision prototype market.

Due to the nature of their business, Prototek was having difficulty with same day to one week turn times. Tight deliveries from their qualified outside process vendors were becoming more difficult, and they were running out of capacity for the increased volume of prototypes.

Decreased quality and extended lead-times are inevitable when dealing with vendors, so Prototek started in-house powder coating, painting, silk screening, plating, and anodizing operations. "This gives us full control over quality and same day finish, allowing our customers to receive high quality, custom complex parts faster than ever."

The next big obstacle for Prototek was punching parts quickly and efficiently while maintaining the ability to cut intricate geometry. "We were actually punching some parts on our Amada Vipros, then taking those same parts and laser cutting complex contours on our 4000 watt Amada Pulsar laser. It just took too long. After speaking with Steve Yongsma with Amada America, he suggested the new Amada LC-C1 laser/punch combo"

The Amada LC-C1 is the ultimate punch and laser combo, providing flexibility without compromise. A 2.5 kW laser oscillator provides speed, and a vacuum integrated into the turret to remove slugs allows for rapidity and punching geometry 50% smaller than a standard punch press. It has four built in tapping heads, three forming stations, and also countersinks holes.

"Prototek was operating three shifts for punching and laser cutting, which were running at 90% capacity. It was three months ago now we installed the LC-C1, and it has made a tremendous difference in our turn times. We had six employees working in our secondaries department countersinking and tapping, but now four of those employees have moved on to more specialized fields. Since incorporating the LC-C1, Prototek's sales have increased by another 15%.

Additionally, we are now running only 2 shifts in the laser, punch, and laser/punch combo departments at 80% capacity! The LC-C1 is the perfect prototype manufacturing cell for Prototek."
Prototek continues to be the fastest rapid prototype company in the country and quite possibly the world.

About Prototek Sheet Metal Fabrication
Prototek Manufacturing started in October of 1987 specializing in Rapid Prototyping of Precision sheetmetal for the hi-tech industries.Our Facility is a new 40,000 sq. ft. Building. We currently have 65 employees and have expanded into rapid turn machined parts, SLA and 3D printing. We are home to state of the art welding and bending departments, and we can also meet customers' needs for precision custom lathing and milling requirements. Our niche has always been a solid commitment to on-time deliveries of quality products. We fabricate from 3D solid models or CAD (computer aided design) files, and keep a constant supply of necessary materials. These include stainless steel, cold rolled steel, and aluminum sheet, tube, angle, and channel, lexan and other plastics, copper sheet and bar, spring steel, mirrored stainless, and a large stock of hardware. We are currently ISO 9001:2008 certified and also ITAR and DFAR compliant.

Prototek Sheetmetal Fabrication, LLC
Keith Isabelle, general manager, estimator
244 Burnham Intervale Rd
Contoocook, NH 03229
603-746-2001 (phone)
603-746-2002 (fax)
Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:00pm EST
keith@prototek.com
http://www.prototekmanufacturing.com