Producing metallic and plastic parts in large quantities often necessitates methods that are cost-effective, flexible, and capable of meeting acceptable precision standards. When it comes to designing a simple prototype at a low cost with flexible options, the best solution is to utilize extrusion prototyping services. If you're unfamiliar with this specific prototyping technique, this blog will provide you with an overview, along with some examples to illustrate its application.
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Extrusions are components characterized by a distinct cross-sectional profile. Before producing large quantities of extruded parts, creating prototypes is essential to identify and rectify any potential issues in advance. This is where extrusion prototyping becomes valuable, as it helps manufacturers avoid errors and defects, ultimately reducing the costs associated with fixes.
Extrusion prototyping is a cost-effective manufacturing method, even when post-machining is required to add features like fixing joints, threads, or access panels. Although tooling is involved, it differs significantly from injection molding tooling, making the process faster and more economical for creating prototypes. Typically, extrusion prototyping is employed for manufacturing plastic and aluminum products, such as pipes, window frames, and conduits.
To Understand The Process In a Better Way, Let's Take an Example of Aluminium and Plastic.
There are numerous possibilities when it comes to extrusion prototyping, especially if you partner with a reputable and experienced service provider. Such providers can offer a wider range of options compared to those with less expertise.
For aluminum parts, wire erosion is an effective technique, particularly for components under 600 mm in length. While this process is relatively slow, it yields very fine details and excellent surface finishes. For longer parts, up to 1 meter, CNC machining can be employed, provided the design is simple. However, it's essential to consider that this method is sensitive to geometry and wall thickness, so it may not be suitable for all applications.
With extrusion prototyping, you can also produce various shapes, including sections, tubing, rods, and co-extruded parts, expanding your design possibilities significantly.
When it comes to plastic, PVC is the most commonly extruded material. In the plastic extrusion process, the plastic is melted and shaped into a continuous profile before being cut to the desired length. This method can produce a wide variety of items using different materials, including PC, PS, PP, ABS, and PMMA, in addition to PVC.
If you need aluminum or plastic extruded prototypes, consider hiring an experienced and reputable extrusion prototyping service provider to ensure high quality, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.
