Concept Models

3D printing offers rapid prototyping, with turnaround times as fast as under 24 hours, drastically reducing development time. This efficiency allows for quick iterations and adjustments, ensuring your concept models are refined and ready for production.

What are the benefits of 3D printing a concept model?

Additive manufacturing is a great way to get parts, fast. We regularly have turn around times as fast as three days and have done parts, in the past, in under 24 hours! This can drastically reduce time spent in this stage of production which could otherwise be a long process, ultimately reducing the time to market for the product.

If you do have the time to spare, however, this can mean more time for design iterations and adjustments to make sure the design is exactly where you want it to be.

Faster turn arounds

Increased design iterations

Reduced development cost and time

How much will it cost to 3D print a concept model?

The cost to build a concept model is generally determined by the size of the model, not its complexity. As an example, an iPhone sized model would cost around £30, whereas an iPad-sized part would be £240.

CASE STUDIES

Related case studies

Restoring Interior Parts for Sylv’s Engineering

In collaboration with Sylv’s Engineering, we produced a set of high-quality 3D printed dashboard components for a vehicle restoration and upgrade project. Using MJF PA12 and vapor smoothing, this project demonstrates the benefits of additive manufacturing for restoration, customisation, and low‑volume production.

Racing into the Future: Top 5 Benefits of Additive Manufacturing in Motorsport

In the fiercely competitive world of Motorsport, where victory and defeat are often a matter of milliseconds, top-performing teams are increasingly turning to 3D printing.

Latécoère and Graphite produce 3D printed clips for the next generation of wing technologies

With the first assembly of the ‘Wing of Tomorrow’ prototype complete, Graphite Additive Manufacturing are thrilled to have worked with Latécoère to 3D print custom aircraft clips for the project.

Other services

Functional Prototypes

Building a functional prototype is crucial before mass production. 3D printing enables cost-effective design reviews and tweaks. It offers various materials to mimic end-use products, allowing full functionality testing of parts or complete designs.

Production Parts

3D printing excels in producing customized or limited-run parts and products. This digital manufacturing method eliminates the need for traditional tooling and setup, potentially reducing costs through added complexity or lower part count. We create strong, lightweight parts with high definition and built-in functionality, such as screw threads and sealing grooves, eliminating post-processing. The technology offers design flexibility for bespoke versions across various applications, enabling airtight or resistant parts.

Composite Tooling

To form complex mandrels for composite tooling, materials such as SR-30 (FDM) and DMX 100 (SLA) are starting to gain traction and, with the right knowledge and experience, these materials can perform wonders. SR-30 is a sacrificial mandrel and DMX is an extraction mandrel with some unique properties.

Costing

The cost to build a tool is generally determined by the size of the tool, not its complexity. As an example, an iPhone sized tool would cost around £30, whereas an iPad-sized tool would be £240.