Sometimes the resources in the Sherman Center Maker Space are not suitable for the parts that you are trying to make. Many product development companies source other companies to manufacture prototypes for them.

Advantages and Drawbacks to Outsourcing Prototyping

Advantages:

1. Parts are stronger
2. Parts are cleaner and more professional looking
3. Access to manufacturing methods

Disadvantages:

1. Slow to get parts (harder to iterate)
2. Much more expensive than in house prototyping

Prototyping Companies

1. Protolabs
   1. Fast and contactless quoting
   2. Lots of manufacturing techniques
      1. Injection molding
      2. CNC machining
      3. 3D printing
      4. Sheet metal fabrication
   3. Expensive
2. Xometry
   1. Fast and contactless quoting
   2. Lots of manufacturing techniques
      1. CNC machining
      2. 3D printing
      3. Injection molding
      4. Sheet metal
      5. Urethane casting
3. Interpro
   1. Lots of manufacturing techniques
      1. CNC machining
      2. 3D printing
      3. Urethane casting
      4. Silicone casting
      5. Custom finishing
   2. Cheaper than other options
4. Oshcut
   1. Fast and contactless quoting with cut analysis
   2. Cheap laser cutting services
      1. Metal
5. SendCutSend
   1. Fast and contactless quoting
   2. Cheap laser cutting services
      1. Metal
      2. Plastic
      3. Wood
      4. Composites