Protomold

Protomold has a subsidiary called Firstcut that does rapid prototype machining. They specialize in machining plastic components in which they have a vast amount of materials to choose from. They can also do limited metals such as aluminum. They're quoting process is fantastic - upload a CAD model you want prototyped to their website and within a day (sometimes less) they will send you a quote. The whole process is automated and very streamlined. For plastic components, I'm very impressed on some of the detailed components they can make at a relatively low cost. I've almost completely stopped using other rapid prototyping methods such as SLA, SLS, FDM, etc because I can get an actual plastic component in the right material at the same cost and same lead time. Firstcust does have some limitations, for instance, they can't make a male thread based on their proprietary process (everything is CNC'd) and there are certain geometries that they can't make such as an undercut.

Strengths: Fast, cost effective, easy quote process

Needs to improve: Limited metals to choose from

If you can machine it, do it as you know that you can only go so far with the machining process.

Strengths: Rapid protoyping

Needs to improve: You get better chance with machining as you know what you are getting into. With protomold, you may rely on the molded part but control of it and the mold is questionable. Their certification to specifications is ridiculous.

The great thing is ProtoMold is extremely fast. For a small fee you can have your parts in a week. They are interested in getting parts to their customers quick - the basis for their company philosophy.

Strengths: They are a quick turn facility, good quality, great engineering support, great pricing

Needs to improve: They cannot hold tight tolerances, some of the features in the molded part will need to be modified to meet their capabilities. Certain materials will need to be supplied to them, which is the case with some of our products. The control drawing will have to go through adjustments to meet quality/inspection requirements.

I use Protomold a lot when I need a fast turnaround on a plastic component. I just send them my soldworks model and they send me parts withn a week. I am always very impressed with their turnaround time and quality. For production parts, they provide excellent serivce and are always very responsive whenver problems come up in receving inspection.

Strengths: Proto Labs provides fast parts based on supplied 3D CAD models. They can work with a variety polymers and blends and they have very high process capability. They can also produce the molds quackly and at a very reasonable price.

Needs to improve: None

Great and helpful customer service - Wide selection - Reliable quality products - Pricing is competitive - Fast turnaround - Accurate quotes

Strengths: Our R&D department use Protomold as a source for their prototypes. They are one of our suppliers for plastic products with a large selection of raw material and custom size and shape. We mainly use them for our prototyping projects. Their technical assistance support very good and responsive. Their pricing is competitive and they have reliable services. Their quality is very good. Their customer service is very good. Quotes are accurate and delivery is fast.

Needs to improve: None

I like the interactive quote from Protomold. It's so easy follow a few step on their website to get the quote. On the last project that I needed the handle for our prototype device and Protomold provided the 3D print handle so quick with a decent price. Their service is so fast and convenience just up load the solid model and select material to get the instance Quote.

Strengths: Quick turn around time

Needs to improve: None

This is a great company. High quality, fast, efficient, and extremely knowledgeable staff. The fact that some quotes come back in less than 30 minutes for machined parts is amazing, without a need for an engineering drawing.

Strengths: Fast, extremely knowledgeable staff, great quality parts, great web interface

Needs to improve: Machining can get expensive for larger parts, and machining seems limited as the company seems to want to push you toward injection molding

Our firm sources Protomold Co Inc to do our 3D printing and rapid prototyping for our consumer electronics. Their customer service department was there to answer all our questions and was very knowledgeable and friendly. Their service is also incredibly fast in our experience and the prices have always been competitive. We would definitely continue using Protomold for our 3d printing and prototyping needs.

Strengths: Custom prototyping, service

Needs to improve: none

Prontomold has allowed me the opportunity to quickly prove feasibility and progress in development activities when SLA or other rapid prototyping technologies were not an option.

Strengths: Protomold is capable of quickly providing injection molded parts from a large selection of materials.

Needs to improve: The quick turnaround comes at the cost of finer features and geometry. This a trade off which is well worth the benefit of quickly receiving real molded parts.

They made parts for us that were straightforward and simple but they came in right on spec and on time. Very surprising for as little time it actually took. Great resource of you are in a hurry

Strengths: Super fast turnaround on real injected molded parts. Not SLA or 3d printing....real parts

Needs to improve: A little limited with geometry for true rapid prototypes but everything has limitiations

Used them a couple times to prototype some inserts. Although I didn't end up using the inserts, their customer service was good and I learned more about the injection molding process.

Strengths: Protomold's quick turnaround is great for rapid prototyping without sacrificing quality. They are more than happy to provide suggestions on how to improve the moldability of the part, as well.

Needs to improve: None so far.

They are always great for rapid turn real injection molded parts. The customer service is great and they always send cool freebies! The user interface on the website is excellent and very easy to use.

Strengths: FAST FAST FAST! They turn parts quickly and are very accurate. They generally tell what will work and what wont. The user interface is excellent.

Needs to improve: N/A

Our current contract manufactuer could not create the molds for our project in a timely manner, so we contacted Protomold. These guys were able to crank out 5 different molds in a matter of weeks. They were also able to turn around changes to them in days.

Strengths: Super quick at creating aluminum molds.
Great customer service, friendly company.

Needs to improve: None.

I've had a great experience with Protolab. They are exactly what they advertise, a quick turnaround shop for short run prototyping. They turnaround quotes and service very quickly.

Strengths: Very quick delivery. They're website makes it very easy to upload drawings for quoting. Very good service for short run prototyping.

Needs to improve: Not the best quality molds. Limited molding advice and customer service.

This is a great company. High quality, fast, efficient, and extremely knowledgeable staff. Good company for start up companies to go to due to fast response and quick turn around. The engineering team there touch base with what they can and can't do.

Strengths: Fast and good quality plastic molding. Good communication engineering team.

Needs to improve: Quite expensive for certain job

If you know exactly what you want and need it fast, protomold is a very good option

Strengths: Quick turn around shop which has a very good interface on their website for getting quotes and submitting components.

Needs to improve: A bit pricy but that comes with the quick turnarounds. Some items can be a bit rough if a complicated geometry

Our firm sources Protomold Co Inc to do our printing and prototyping for our medical devices. Their customer service department has been great and is very knowledgeable and friendly. Their service is also incredibly fast in our experience and the prices have always been competitive. We would definitely continue using Protomold.

Strengths: Products

Needs to improve: None

They are always great for rapid turn real injection molded parts. The customer service is great. The user interface on the website is excellent and very easy to use. Engineering group there helped you get the parts fast and as precise as possible that's why they are expensive.

Strengths: Knowledgeable engineering staffs there

Needs to improve: Expensive

great support staff. they offer all the array of services you will need to get plastic parts produced from initial SLA/3D prototypes to the final large volume production. Great place to go for all the services

Strengths: rapid prototyping, quick turn around, large volume production

Needs to improve: none

Overall a very good option for injection molded prototypes with quick turnaround.

Strengths: Quick turnaround, easy-to-follow online quote submission process, small volume, wide range of injection molding plastic materials offered, part quality is excellent

Needs to improve: Can be expensive, online part analysis often provides unnecessary/inaccurate warnings