Computer 3-D modeling is valuable, but there is no substitute for a physical model or prototype. Prototypes help in evaluating a manufacturing process as well as how a part looks, feels and handles. Prototyping allows you to:

• Identify flaws early on in the developmental cycle, saving money and shortening time to production
• Produce quality parts before investing in expensive and time-consuming production tooling
• Acquire accurate product test data
• Quickly attain parts suitable for U.L. testing
• Discover and resolve production and manufacturing constraints
• Provide sales and marketing samples or distribute functional products to key customers
• Attain pre-production parts while ramping up to full production capability
• Validate theoretical analysis throughout the product design cycle

When Patriot receives your inquiry concerning a new part, we first try to understand as much as we can about the part and its purpose. Purpose, geometry, quantities, alloy, finish and turnaround are factors that determine the optimal process to be used to produce your part.

Often, the prototypes are fully functional, but non-functional parts are sometimes produced. Non-functional parts are sometimes used to show potential investors or to test market panels. Whether a non-functional part is less expensive depends on factors such as turnaround time, material, geometry and processes used to produce the part.