Rapid Prototyping Services
As a Rapid Prototyping company with over 50 years of experience, we can turn your 3D CAD data into reality
Our Rapid Prototyping Experience
For over 50 years, Malcolm Nicholls Ltd we have been at the forefront of the UK rapid prototyping industry, delivering unparalleled quality, precision, and expertise. We offer a dedicated partnership, a wealth of experience, and a commitment to transforming your concept into a tangible, market-ready product. We don’t just build parts; we build success.
Precision Prototyping for Your Product Development Cycle
Rapid prototyping is more than just a buzzword; it’s a critical application of advanced manufacturing that allows for fast and frequent design iterations. This gives you the ability to incorporate complex shapes and structures that would be impossible with conventional methods. We work alongside you to produce prototypes that are not only accurate but are meticulously checked before production to meet what we call The Malcolm Nicholls Standard.
Our process is centered around our customers. We analyze your CAD data and provide a tailored solution, leveraging our comprehensive suite of in-house technologies. This human-centric approach ensures you get a perfect prototype every time, optimised for form, fit, and function.
Providing UK’s Leading Rapid Prototyping Services
We work alongside you and your product development process to produce your prototy pes, utilisingour 50 years of experience in rapid prototyping services, we transform your concept into a tangible and high-quality prototyped part.
As experts in 3D printing prototype services, we ensure that each prototype part s thoroughly analysed and checked before production. This meticulous approach guarantees your prototype is built to the highest standard- the Malcolm Nicholls Standard.
Bridging the Gap from Prototype to Mass Market
The journey from a single prototype to thousands of units can be daunting. At Malcolm Nicholls Ltd, we specialise in bridging this gap. Our low-volume production services, particularly our vacuum casting and rapid tooling capabilities, allow you to produce anywhere from 1 to 1000s of parts without the significant investment of mass production tooling. This “bridge tooling” approach enables you to conduct extensive market testing, secure investment, and build early demand with real products, all before committing to a final production run.
How Can We Help You?
Transparent 3D Printing
Clear 3D printed parts that need to be optically clear have to be sanded through the grades polished and lacquered to achieve a perfect look.
However, in many cases, optical performance is not required everywhere to achieve the desired visual appearance.
At MNL we employ time-served finishers to ensure the appearance and look, suit your requirements. Here we explore how to get the highest level of clarity for your 3d printed part.
Our Finishing Reputation: It’s All in the Details
At Malcolm Nicholls Ltd, we pride ourselves on our impeccable prototype finishing. We employ time-served finishers who have an enviable reputation for bringing prototypes to life with a flawless appearance. Whether your part requires a simple finish or a high-gloss, polished surface, our craftsmen ensure every detail is perfect. This level of attention is what makes our products so close to the real thing, giving your product the edge.
For transparent 3D printed parts, our finishing specialists sand and polish through various grades before lacquering to achieve perfect optical clarity. This is just one example of the detailed craftsmanship that sets us apart.
We’re often asked…
What is Rapid Prototyping
The advantages of our rapid prototyping service in the product development cycle are endless. Not only can rapid prototyping open new opportunities for innovation, it now means that designers can incorporate complex shapes, surfaces and structures into their designs which would have been impossible in conventional prototyping.
Rapid prototyping gives you the ability to create realistic three-dimensional scale models and utilising our paint spraying and finishing gives your product the edge. We often get told how close to the real thing our products are.
What Are The Different Types of Prototyping?
With additive manufacturing techniques constantly evolving we take a look at the different types of rapid prototyping.
Stereolithography – SLA
Stereolithography (SLA) is the most widely used 3D Printing / rapid prototyping technology. It is generally considered to provide the greatest accuracy and best surface finish of any prototyping / 3D printing process.
A computer-controlled UV laser beam scans across the surface of a vat of photosensitive resin instantly turning liquid to solid wherever it touches. Successive layers or slices of cured resin are gradually built up into a solid version of the intended CAD model.
Selective Laser Sintering – SLS
The use of SLS 3D printing allows MNL to automatically build functional parts, casting patterns and tooling inserts from your 3D CAD data. Malcolm Nicholls Limited, HiQ Sinterstation system,(SLS 3D Printing machine) representing the future of Instant manufacturing technology, directly produces end-use plastic or metal parts, tooling inserts, or casting patterns from your 3D CAD data files. Eliminate the need for machining, tooling, casting or other secondary processes — saving you time and money.
Functional high-strength components – without the need for tooling
What 3D printers do you use?
NEO800 has a variable spot-size laser. It goes small for intricate detail on the boundaries of parts and then it goes larger for filling in the rest of the section. This combination of intricacy and super fast build speeds produces excellent quality components in super quick time frames. As we have two of these it has rubber stamped our commitment to turnaround. We can now produce both low volume manufactured parts also known as batch production 1 – 1000’s of parts printed or large parts utilising the build platforms of these impressive printers.
How do I choose the right material?
What areas do you serve?
We are based in Bidford-on-Avon and serve the whole of Aberdeen including areas such as Persley, Charlestown, Brdige of Dee, Dyce, Portlethen, Bridge of Don and Blacktop.
Whats the Difference Between Rapid Prototyping and 3D Printing?
Rapid prototyping is an application used in additive manufacturing giving you the ability to produce a model faster than conventional prototyping. 3D Printing is a method of additive manufacturing, whereas Rapid Prototyping is an application of additive manufacturing.
The original additive manufacturing process is stereolithography and Malcolm Nicholls Ltd was one of the first service providers to offer Stereolithography (SLA) back in 1999. Rapid Prototyping has always been the original “buzz word” for SLA and over the years SLS and FDM have fallen under the same umbrella of Rapid Prototyping.
Since the introduction of SLA, new processes and technology have entered the marketplace, including selective laser sintering (SLS) and (FDM) fused deposition modelling.
As technology continually advances, additive manufacturing is finding its way into more applications in engineering and manufacturing – a continually evolving process that’s become critical in new product development for many businesses.
3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping are two very similar terms so they can be easily confused. A lot of industry leaders will agree to disagree between the terms as they are so closely linked!
Get in touch
Address
Waterloo Industrial Estate, Waterloo Cres, Bidford-on-Avon, B50 4JH
Call Us
01789 490382
Please email us
quotes@mnl.co.uk