Since rapid prototyping came into being, many businesses provided with the service of prototype development. Earlier, such companies were known as service bureaus and they allowed the users to access the unproven and expensive technology. In the early period of rapid prototyping, these service bureaus provided with advantages of prototype development minus the soaring upfront expenses and major risks of applying a new technology that was relatively unverified and hovering on the brink of rapid obsolescence. In the beginning, the service bureaus provided file conversions for narrowing the operational gap amidst 2D data and 3D CAD models. Due to this, the large companies that had not yet transitioned to solid modeling were benefited greatly.

As the technology of rapid prototyping progressed, most of the service bureaus have undergone role modifications and they promise to deliver greater advantages beyond initial expense reduction and ownership risk. There are several companies worldwide offering the rapid prototyping services.

Advantages of Rapid Prototyping Services: The advantages of rapid prototyping services are by far many. The rapid prototyping services provide advanced rapid prototyping technologies. You can get a competitive edge in the process of product development, so that the product is marketed much faster. The rapid prototyping services allow the users and producers to achieve the designing and prototyping goals. The innovative product idea can be successfully realized into actual product of high quality with the help of rapid prototyping services. The rapid prototyping services deliver the finished product beginning from the product idea, conceptualization and prototype development. You can save money and time as well, as rapid prototyping allows the production on low volume basis directly from the designing data.

Rapid Prototyping Services: The various types of rapid prototyping services include technologies like stereolithography prototype, polyjet 3D printing, selective laser sintering, rapid tooling, 3D CAD modeling, RTV molding, RotoCAST, machined castings, urethane castings, injection molding, high temperature castings, rapid prototyping machines, investment casting, electroplating, functional prototype development, 3D modeling and development of patterns and models.

The rapid prototyping service provider will develop prototypes as per the required specifications of the manufactures. It supplies with prototype development along with prototype assemblies, materials and components. The various materials utilized in the process of rapid prototyping are plastics, metals and elastomers. The product development process is accelerated with supply of quick, robust and accurate prototypes by the rapid prototyping services.

The product can be refined and modified by way of constant process improvement, reduction in piece cost and enhanced quality control. The rapid prototyping services encompass all these features. The various steps involved in the rapid prototyping services are concept, design, engineering, prototype development, limited production and full scale production.

Different rapid prototyping services offer different technologies and products. Some companies like Lovson provide with rapid prototyping services like sand casting steel, injection press moulds, lost wax injection moulds, , sand iron casting, closed die forging, plastic injection moulds, open die forging, pressure die castings, lost wax castings, sintering, machining facility and metal sheet components. There are many rapid prototyping services advertising on the internet and these include Solid Concepts and Harvest Technologies etc.