Rapid Custom Manufacturing
Rapid Appearance Prototype Manufacturing
Project Overview:Rapid Prototype Process: CNC Machining
Prototype Material: PMMA (acrylic), ABS, Standard Components
Surface Finishing: Mirror Polishing, Painting, Silk-screening, UV Coating
Quantity: 50 Units
Lead Time: 15 Days
This smart product was developed by an internet company in China to improve driving experience by recording driving information and alarming in case of emergency or error. Customer had high expectation for prototypes, wanted them to perform, more importantly, look as intended as possible.
| Project Challenge: The multiple surface finishings of painting, mirror polishing, silk-screening, UV coating required strong attention to each detail that would directly and greatly affect the final appearance quality. Rapid CNC Prototyping: CNC milling Top and Bottom Covers made of clear PMMA (acrylic) that would be mirror polished and UV coated. The smooth milled surface helped reduce the hands mirror polishing time. |  |
Since high material brittleness and thin wall thickness, it must be very careful to hand polish these parts to prevent the probably crack or smash.
ABS milled and assembled Middle Frames. Surface finishings for Middle Frames, covered by PMMA parts, were sanding, painting, silk-screening.
The final UV coating to PMMA Covers delivered high glossy appearance also a good protection to prevent the PMMA covers from scratches.
The majority of exported prototypes made in China were functional ones for fitting test, a few prototypes were delivered without the intended surface finishing though it could be well done here as well.