Northwest Aerospace News February | March 2019 Issue No. 7 | Page 45

I
ndustry is always on the
move and in today’s prototyp-
ing environment the ability for
companies to create first-run
parts or to prove design is not
the same as it was when Proto
Technologies began in 1995.
With the surge in 3D printers
entering the marketplace, you
might think this would create
a hardship for Proto Technol-
ogies. However, Rory states,
“We deliver a show-ready,
investment grade part and not
a rough sample.” We have numerous clients come to us after trying to build their own parts and state they cannot get the
quality needed. Our equipment is not the typical lower-cost machine. We spend into the six-figure range for our machines
and that is not what most companies are willing to do. Often times our 3D printing capabilities are being utilized to build
fast, lower-cost tooling used in other processes that we employ in house as well.
Rory admits there has been an impact in their 3D printing business, but Proto has adapted beyond just prototype work.
They have built several work cells, building low volume production jobs that have developed due to their early design
involvement with a project and the non-traditional manufacturing needed for production in some cases.
FEBRUARY | MARCH 2019 ISSUE NO. 7
45