Prototype finishing is the hand work that fine tunes parts and final prototypes to look smooth, clean and shine like a production part.
GETTING THAT PERFECT SURFACE LOOK
CNC machined, urethane cast and 3D printed parts are just about ready for assembly, but not without final finishing. When creating an appearance prototype or a prototype that needs to show well, it’s important to carefully apply the correct finish. When the prototype looks like the final product, it can be instrumental in gaining stakeholder buy in or market testing that ultimately improves the product that goes to production. Finishing is also a critical step in the process to refine master parts that will be used in mold making to create duplicates in the correct shape and texture.
HANDS, SANDPAPER, AND A KEEN EYE FOR DETAIL
With our fabrication experts, a skilled hand is required to finish a part or model. Priming, painting, sanding or buffing are all used to achieve the desired finish. We can sand and apply a clear coat to a part that is meant to be transparent. Often, we sand and buff metal machined parts to give them a production shine. We apply different techniques that allow us to transform any material. Whether it is a primer grey form study, an exercise in color blocking, or a fully finished prototype, the level of finish reflects the function of the project. Typically, we create parts in-house, but our team can also work with client supplied components to finish and assemble as needed. In addition to finish, the process may include mating and fitting parts. Often times this reveals engineering hurdles that aren’t apparent in the digital realm. Our team will help overcome these challenges, offer solutions and achieve a finished project that works well and looks polished.