Engineering
Protoshapes engineering department offers expert design services to assist in creation, modification and enhancement of your parts or prototype. To begin the process we accept drawings, constructed models (epoxy, wood, metal, etc.), CAD drawings, scaled diagrams. Use our FAX order form to submit your design assistance request. Bob Small brings to our engineering department 42 years of automotive design and development experience with General Motors. Here at Protoshapes we have the ability to develop any plastic type parts from the ground up.Typical order of progression:Part Concept (Hand Sketches) Engineering (Part Development)Design Work (3D Drawings) SLA Generation (Physical Pattern)Tooling (Mold Casted) First Article (Plastic Part Made) Production (High Volume or Low Volume set-up) Bob welcomes your questions and special requests.
Frequently Asked Questions If you are new to plastics production here are some terms concerning material characteristics you should get familiar with: Durometer (hardness) This is the most important physical property to think about.  As a  general rule the hardness of a plastic will determine almost all the other physical characteristics.  This is measured in a Shore D and a Shore A measuring scale.  Shore D is the harder plastic measuring scale and Shore A is used to measure softer plastics (used for hard to soft rubber-like characteristics). Tensile Strength This is measured in PSI.  This is how much force it takes to pull the plastic apart. Elongation This is how far you can stretch the plastic before it breaks.  Measured in percentage. Tear Strength This is how much force it takes to rip the plastic. Shrinkage This is how much a plastic part will shrink with reference to the original pattern.