Manufacturing FAQs
Manufacturing FAQs
Can RpProto design for me?
We do not offer design services. You should provide 2D and 3D CAD drawings and after receiving your order, we will be able to review Manufacturing Design. Read how to prepare design drawings for production.
Which formates of CAD files does RpProto accept?
We take STL(.stl), STEP(.stp), ProE(.prt), IGES(.igs), SolidWorks(.sldprt), Compressed folders(.ZIP) format to provide an accurate and timely quote. PDF format is required for 2D drawings with reference dimensions. As part of this technical documentation, you should provide complete manufacturing details. Informal contact through SMS or other means will not be accepted for manufacturing .
How long dose it take to get a quotation?
We will reply very soon, Normally within one day on weekdays.
Can RpProto make copies for vacuum casting or CNC machining using my master model?
Yes, we can use your master models to make vacuum casting silicone model that can withstand up to 100° C from every rigid solid. Models for CNC machining will be scanned to make a CAD/CAM program for manufacturing.
Is my design going to be kept confidential?
Any non-disclosure or confidentiality arrangement would, of course, be signed and followed. We also have a strict policy in our factory that no photos of a customer’s product are ever permitted without their express permission. Finally, we depend on our long-standing reputation for collaborating with hundreds of thousands of innovative designs and never disclosing any confidential knowledge to a third party.
How does RpProto compare to other suppliers on price?
While direct comparisons are difficult, RpProto’s prices for plastic injection mould equipment and CNC machined / turned parts will usually be 25-45 percent less than suppliers in North America and Europe.
Rather than competing on price with Chinese suppliers, we prefer to provide the highest standards of efficiency, swift response, and skilled performance.
The cost of rapid prototyping
The factors that affect the cost of rapid prototyping are as follows:
1. Prototype accuracy:
If you need to meet the tolerance requirements of 0.01mm, whether it is processing equipment or technical masters, our requirements are relatively high, so the cost will be relatively high.
2. The size and difficulty of the prototype:
If the product structure is complex, the cost of rapid prototyping is much higher; if the overall size of the product is larger or the appearance is curved, the processing cost will also increase a lot.
3. Processing materials:
Plastic or aluminum alloy or stainless steel, different materials will have different prices.
4. Surface treatment requirements:
Post-processing such as injection molding, silk screen printing, electroplating, and laser engraving will increase manual processing costs.
How soon will I be able to receive my parts?
If you provide us with complete 2D and 3D CAD models, we can produce high-quality parts in as little as two weeks. More complex parts that require or other special features will take longer to complete. Request a quote to obtain more precise lead times for your project.
In terms of shipping, the majority of our shipments are sent via air freight, which can take several days from China to Europe or North America.
What tolerances can RpProto achieve?
There is not a given set of tolerances that fits all processes and materials. In every case, the final tolerances on your part will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to:
- Part size
- Design geometry
- The number, type and size of features
- Material(s)
- Surface finish
- Manufacturing process
Once your order is confirmed, we will review your design and provide a design for manufacturing review, pointing out any areas where we may not be able to achieve your desired tolerances. It’s helpful if you can specify which areas in your design have critical tolerances that must be met and which can be slightly modified if needed to reduce time and costs involved. Here are some general tolerance guidelines:
- General tolerances for CNC machining in metal and plastic
- Plastic injection molding tolerances
- General tolerance for metal 3D printing is +/- 0.5mm
- Shrinkage rate of +/- 0.15% is to be expected for vacuum casting
All manufacturing and technical specifications need to be clearly specified in the 2D drawings in order to be followed.
How does RpProto ensure the quality of my parts?
Once your order is confirmed, we will perform a full Design for Manufacturing (DFM) review to point out any issues that our engineers feel may affect the quality of your parts.
All incoming materials are inspected and verified with a suite of testing equipment.
Final inspection reports before shipment.
We have the ability to share inspection data with you in real-time so we can work together to address any quality issues you may have during production.
What type of surface finishes does RpProto provide?
We offer a wide variety of finishing services to achieve almost any look and feel on your parts. We offer treatments for metal, texturing for plastic injection mold tools, painting for metal and plastic, and many more. You can also learn how to specify the surface texture you want in this blog.
Can RpProto passivate my parts?
Passivation is a treatment that changes the surface chemistry of some kinds of metals. We offer passivation for corrossion protection, durability, cosmetics and more.
Can RpProto provide optical quality on my plastic parts?
Yes. We offer a special vapor polishing service to achieve high transparency for your clear plastic parts.
Does RpProto insure delivered goods?
No, we do not insure deliveries. However, you are free to use your own insurance.
How much import duty will I need to pay for my goods?
There is no single answer to this question but a few rules apply. Import duties vary widely between countries, and are dependent on the type of good being imported. Most countries in the world conform to the international Harmonized System (HS) codes that categorize virtually all commercial trade goods.
What is RpProto’s Import/Export Code for China?
RpProto’s import and export code for China is …..
What are RpProto’s shipping terms?
Our standard terms are Ex Works (EXW) for rapid prototyping and regular production orders. This means the customer is responsible for shipping, customs clearance and all other associated fees once the goods have left our premises.
For express shipments, we use Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU), which means that the client is responsible for paying import duty when the goods arrive to your destination.
Does RpProto provide export molds?
Yes. However, we must explain that our tooling is manufactured to be compliant with our Modular Unit Dies (MUD). This means they are a uniform base size, so the customer must be prepared to receive tools in that size to fit into their own machines.
What if I am not completely satisfied with the parts I receive?
We guarantee our materials and workmanship based on the terms of the initial order and the information provided by you. Any disputes based on a subjective determination shall be brought to the attention of management who will act in good faith to provide you with complete satisfaction. Our continuing business relies on earning your confidence in our ability to meet and exceed any reasonable expectations.
Can my company get credit with RpProto?
Rapid prototyping customers must pay in advance for the first three orders, after which we will consider giving 30 days credit. Except in very special cases, all tooling orders require a 50% deposit in advance. Typically the balance must be paid after T1 approval of samples.
How can I pay RpProto?
RpProto accepts payment in two ways:Bank to bank wire transfer. RpProto has accounts in Hong Kong .RpProto can send you a PayPal invoice and you can use your PayPal account or credit card to pay.
What is Star RpProto’s DUNS number?
For business identification purposes, our DUNS number is …………..
What is RpProto’s Business Registration Number?
RpProto’s Hong Kong business registration number is HK …………