Rapid prototyping employees a multitude of manufacturing techniques used to quickly fabricate a physical component or assembly utilizing three-dimensional computer aided design (CAD) data. Construction of the part or assembly is usually done using 3D printing or additive layer manufacturing technology.
While Precise Cast Prototypes and Engineering uses 3D printing, its use is to supplement our rapid prototype castings, where appropriate. This allows us to manufacture castings that are either outside of the realm of traditional cope and drag techniques (even with cores) or are much more accurate and consistent than some of the traditional metal casting methods. In addition, we bring our casting and machining knowledge base and skills into play to deliver REAL castings in RP time. We can deliver first article machined castings in 1-2 weeks on many designs. More complex and involved designs are usually deliverable in 3-5 weeks
Our Rapid Prototyping:
Rapid Prototypes (or RPs) take many forms, including plastics, sintered metal, and metal castings. Precise Cast focuses solely on one area of rapid prototype castings 
manufacturing; we manufacture “real” metal castings in aluminum, magnesium, and zinc alloys, specifically. This allows us to optimize our resources and focus yielding industry-leading turnaround time for moderate-to-complex non-ferrous castings while still maintaining the highest quality standards.
What to look for in a rapid prototype manufacturer:
Many machine shops may make similar claims about rapid prototyping. Here are four things to consider:
Is the company’s focus on non-ferrous metal castings?
Ferrous and non-ferrous are two completely different worlds. Contact us to find out more about this issue.
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Does the company make die-cast parts?
While it may seem beneficial to work with a company that might be the production supplier for your parts, often prototypes are a sideline and a distraction from their main business: die cast parts. They are rarely set up for speed and QA/QC for prototype and low-volume (non-die cast) production.
We don’t do die cast. We can refer you to excellent production die casters, on request.
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Was the company designed from the ground up for speed and quality?
Many metal casting companies have been around for decades. While that longevity may be comforting from some perspectives, often they are shackled by legacy systems and processes.
Precise Cast was founded in the computer age and utilizes advanced engineering and CAD approaches in all aspects of production. From inception our mission has been rooted in speed and quality.
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Does the company have an in-house machining capability to machine the castings it makes?
It’s no secret in the casting industry; many machine shops and machinists do not like to machine castings. Why? They’re more difficult and unforgiving than a billet machined part of similar design and style.
It’s also no secret that many machine shops will accept any work that comes through the door. Unfortunately, castings take knowledge and experience to machine properly.
Precise Cast has that capability in-house to machine what we manufacturer. This allows us to coordinate all required resources to deliver your project as planned and on time.
Why Precise Cast Parts
We have that rare combination of experience, knowledge, speed, and quality for prototype and low-volume production of non-ferrous castings. The result is your parts are delivered In-Full, On-Time, and In-Spec.