Prototek’s seven US facilities make it a one-stop shop for plastic prototyping and low-volume production. Using state-of-the-art additive and subtractive manufacturing, Prototek delivers high-precision parts and assemblies quickly and accurately. The result is fully finished parts in days.

Our plastic experts can provide design and manufacturing support, from prototyping to full-scale production. Using a variety of materials, Prototek can produce parts with complex geometries in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Complete post-processing services include finishing, painting, and assembly.

Prototek’s Additive Manufacturing processes include:

• Laser Sintering: A high-powered laser fuses powdered thermoplastics to create complex geometric shapes with ease. Production parts are strong, heat-resistant, air-tight, water-tight, and can be dyed in various colors.

• MultiJet Fusion: HP digital printing technology that uses powdered thermoplastics, a liquid agent, and infrared energy to fuse parts precisely. Advantages: speed, quality, cost, and open-source materials.

• SLA - Stereolithography: UV-sensitive photopolymers cure instantly when activated by a laser. SLA offers dimensional accuracy and smooth surface finish in a variety of materials. Finished parts can be sanded, painted, dyed, electroplated, and machined.

• DLP - Digital Light Processing: UV-sensitive liquid resin cured by a digital light projector. High-resolution parts with engineering-grade mechanical properties from rigid and elastomeric materials. Biocompatible and sterilizable, the parts have lattices and textures.

• Hybrid PhotoSynthesis: UV-sensitive liquid resin cured by a digital light projector that offers clear material options and good repeatability. Advantages: Larger build surface compared to DLP, faster than SLA, and open-source material system.

• Fused Filament Fabrication: Thermoplastic filament melted through a heated nozzle and selectively extruded, building layer upon layer to create durable parts. Advantages: High heat materials, dissolvable supports, a variety of production materials.

• Material Jetting: UV-sensitive gel deposited by a printhead and immediately cured by a lamp. Unique ability to blend materials and colors. Advantages: High-quality prints, snap fits, and a variety of materials including medical grade and multi-durometer

Prototek’s other plastic manufacturing processes include:

• Silicone/Urethane Casting: Production plastic parts without the wait. The silicone or urethane casting process creates a mold from a 3D-printed master pattern. The mold is used to form parts from liquid resin materials. The cast resin solidifies into end-use pieces with exceptional precision, consistency, and speed — making this manufacturing process ideal for low to medium-volume production runs (from 1 to 100s). Parts can be cast in a variety of polymers, including silicone and flexible or rigid urethanes.

• Plastic Machining: CNC milling, routing, and turning across a range of plastic materials. Plastic machining can be a cost-effective way to enable precision and accuracy for complex shapes and parts. Benefits: high-quality surface finishing, intricate designs, and fast turnaround times.

Prototek’s innovative finishing techniques deliver beautiful end-use parts that are rugged enough to withstand real-world impacts. Finishing options include:

• Automated Post-Processing

• Bead Blasting, Sanding, and Priming

• Painting, Clear Coating, and Dyeing

• Soft Touch Finishes

• Plating and EMI Shielding

• Hardware Inserts

• Full Assembly

Need quick-turn metal parts? See Prototek’s metal prototyping options.