Rapid Prototyping Centre
think | create | build
The Rapid Prototyping Centre is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility designed to bring your ideas to life quickly and efficiently using the latest technology.
We’re here to turn your concepts into tangible prototypes in a matter of days. Whether you’re an entrepreneur with a new product idea or a company looking to test and refine your designs, we can make your ideas a reality.
Get your product to market faster with unmatched speed and production capabilities
- Speed: From concept to prototype in just days
- Quality: High-definition results with premium materials
- Flexibility: Tailored solutions for businesses of all sizes
- Expertise: A team of experienced engineers and designers ready to support you
INNOVATION
At St Andrews Innovation, we are all about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. As digital manufacturers, we use advanced technologies to produce parts quickly and efficiently. We constantly challenge and improve our existing offerings, seeking unmet needs and developing products or services to meet those needs.
We are proud to help companies from many industries reduce development time, lower production costs, and get to market faster using the most innovative manufacturing technologies, strategies, and materials. Working in an array of industries means we are exposed to the latest innovations from all corners of the manufacturing world, allowing us to collaborate and share best practices across multiple disciplines.
Our services cater to a diverse clientele, including:
- Entrepreneurs: Transform your innovative product ideas into tangible prototypes.
- University Startups and Spinouts: Bring academic innovations to market with our support.
- Business Owners: Test and refine designs before committing to large-scale production.
- Industry: Develop initial prototypes with flexibility and customisation for mid to high-volume production.
WHY US
Speed and Scalability: We bring your ideas to life faster than ever with industry-leading turnaround times. Whether you need a single prototype or a small production run, we’ve got you covered.
Expertise You Can Trust: Our team of experienced engineers and designers works with you at every step, ensuring your vision is realized with precision and quality.
Advanced Technology: We leverage cutting-edge manufacturing processes, from 3D printing to CNC machining, to deliver exceptional results tailored to your needs.
Quality Assurance: Every part is thoroughly inspected to meet the highest standards of accuracy and durability.
Sustainability: We’re committed to reducing waste and using eco-friendly materials and processes wherever possible.
TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES
We offer a comprehensive suite of services to support every stage of the prototyping process. Each process has its own unique features and benefits. The process you choose will depend on your specific product and project stage.
- Design and Engineering Consultation: We provide expert consultation with a range of services to support our clients from the initial steps throughout the rapid prototyping process, fostering innovation, accelerating product development and manufacturability for proposed concepts.
- Rapid Prototyping: We understand our clients’ needs to complete an initial and functional product with quick turnaround and fast alterations to their prototypes.
- Electronics Engineering: We specialise in providing comprehensive electronics designed to meet the needs of a diverse range of industries to deliver tailor-made solutions, from electronic circuit design to assembly and product prototyping testing.
- Technologies and Machinery: We use 3D CAD for concept modeling and visualisation combined with traditional electromechanical engineering techniques and rapid prototyping methods such as 3D printing, CNC machining or laser cutting.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Low Volume Production
Rapid Prototyping Services offers low-volume production capabilities, enabling clients to swiftly bring products to market. By producing parts in limited quantities, companies can reduce overhead costs, minimize material waste, and maintain flexibility for design modifications. Research from McKinsey & Company indicates that on-demand manufacturing can reduce lead times by 30-50% compared to traditional methods, allowing businesses to bring products to market faster and adapt to market changes more swiftly.
This approach also allows for thorough quality checks, ensuring high standards are met before transitioning to mass production. Additionally, low-volume manufacturing serves as an effective bridge between prototyping and full-scale production, facilitating the refinement of products and processes.
Design for Manufacture (DRM)
Design for Manufacture (DRM) services bridge the gap between concept and production. We work with clients to refine designs, ensuring they are optimised for efficient, cost-effective, and scalable manufacturing. This includes reviewing material selections, simplifying complex features, and enhancing production feasibility while maintaining functionality and quality. Our experts provides a clear, actionable blueprint, helping to reduce lead times, minimise production risks, and ensure your product is ready for success.
*Using our DFM services does not mean production has to be undertaken by our team.
Spare Parts Production
We offer reliable and efficient spare parts production to ensure that your equipment stays operational with minimal downtime. This includes replacement components for legacy systems, hard-to-find parts, or custom-designed solutions, we can quickly produce high-quality, durable spare parts. Our rapid prototyping technology allows us to deliver small batch runs, tailored to your specific needs, while maintaining strict quality standards. This service is ideal for industries requiring ongoing support for existing machinery, helping you avoid costly delays and downtime, and extending the lifespan of your equipment.
BOOK A FREE CONSULTATION
Your journey to innovation starts here. Schedule a no-obligation consultation with our expert team and discover how we can turn your ideas into reality. Let us guide you through the process, from initial design to final prototype.
Testimonials
Steve Johnstone, Senior Design Engineer, Related Fluid Power, Cupar
“With quick responses to technical questions, offering valuable friendly advice and giving an ultra-rapid service, the rapid prototyping centre is proving to be a valuable resource for our business”.
Prototypes and Low-Volume Production: This project addressed the growing demand for new hydraulic system components across mobile, industrial, and marine markets. Leveraging our expertise, we were able to reduce both inaccuracies and waste. According to PwC, expert consultation can enhance product design accuracy by 15-20%, helping to minimise errors and costly revisions.
Morgan Facchin, PhD – School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews
“We have worked with the Rapid Prototyping Center as part of our research project, mainly for 3D printing designs, and were very satisfied with the quality of the service. Jens who has been very friendly and helpful.“
Prototype: Arsenic Detector: A cost-effective and efficient solution for detecting and identifying heavy metal-based pigments and toxic substances in 19th-century bookbinding. By collaborating with University academics, our service benefits from cross-disciplinary expertise, resulting in more innovative and robust products. According to industry research by Accenture, such collaboration can improve product outcomes by an average of 15-20%.
Jonathan Stapf, IT Systems Specialist, University of St Andrews
“The Rapid Prototyping Center provided me, as a newcomer, with the opportunity to print and test custom 3D models through an iterative process. The professional and friendly support in selecting the ideal printing technology and materials for my specific project was immensely valuable and greatly appreciated.”
Prototype: Hardware Support Design Frame: A cost-effective and adaptable solution for providing structural support to various hardware components through 3D-printed frames. By enabling customised dimensions and functionalities, our design ensures compatibility with specific applications. Research from McKinsey & Company indicates that on-demand manufacturing can reduce lead times by 30-50% compared to traditional methods, allowing businesses to accelerate product launches and swiftly adapt to market changes.
Speak to me to see how we can help
Hello, I’m Jens Kellner and I manage the state-of-the-art Rapid Prototyping Centre. The Centre has the latest equipment and technology to enable innovators to design, build and test prototypes of their inventions. The Rapid Prototyping Centre fosters academic and industrial collaborations in and around Fife and beyond to support entrepreneurs and organisations to turn their ideas into tangible products or services.
Jens Kellner
Rapid Prototyping Centre Manager