Rapid Prototyping with Fracktal

3D Printing in Research & Education

High-Precision 3D Printing Solutions

Design, iterate, validate — at lightning speed

Rapid prototyping using 3D printing enables design teams and engineers to accelerate product development, test fit and function, and reduce costs — all without compromising on quality or performance. With Fracktal Works’ additive manufacturing solutions, you can transform your digital designs into functional prototypes within hours.

Applications

Concept Prototypes

Quickly bring design ideas to life with physical models. These prototypes help teams communicate and evaluate early concepts internally or with stakeholders before detailed CAD work or production decisions are made.

Form & Fit Models

Produce highly accurate prototypes that replicate the final dimensions of the part. These are essential for verifying tolerances, mating surfaces, and assembly compatibility, especially when integrating with other mechanical components.

Functional Prototypes

Print parts using engineering-grade materials to simulate mechanical performance under real-world conditions. Useful for testing strength, flexibility, and heat resistance — reducing risks before moving to production.

User Testing & Feedback

Build realistic product samples that users can touch, test, and interact with. Gather feedback on ergonomics, usability, and aesthetics to drive improvements ahead of final production runs.

Pre-Production Samples

Mimic the end-use product with high-resolution, near-production-quality prints. These samples are ideal for marketing previews, investor presentations, and internal approvals before committing to expensive tooling.

Snap-Fit & Assembly Testing

Create snap-fit parts, enclosures, or multi-part assemblies to validate interlocking mechanisms or stress points. These are vital for enclosure design, modular product development, and packaging solutions.

Strengths & Benefits

Faster Time-to-Market
Cut product development timelines from weeks to days by quickly turning digital designs into physical prototypes.

Lower Iteration Costs
Eliminate the need for expensive tooling and produce multiple design iterations at minimal cost.

Wide Material Compatibility
Access a range of 3D printing materials such as PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, Nylon, and engineering-grade composites for varied performance needs.

High Design Freedom
Create complex geometries, internal structures, and features that are impossible or cost-prohibitive using traditional manufacturing methods.

Short Lead Times
Parts can be printed and tested within hours, enabling rapid validation of design concepts and fast-paced R&D cycles.

Risk Reduction
Validate form, fit, and function before investing in expensive production tooling, reducing the chance of design errors.

Limitations & Challenges

Surface Finish
Printed parts may require post-processing such as sanding or coating to achieve injection-mold–like finishes.

Material Limitations
While versatile, not all 3D printing materials match the strength, thermal resistance, or compliance standards of molded plastics.

Build Volume Constraints
Large prototypes may need to be printed in parts and assembled, depending on the printer’s build area.

Dimensional Accuracy
Tolerance deviations can occur due to material shrinkage or printer calibration, especially for tight-fitting assemblies.

Post-Processing Time
Depending on the application, supports may need to be removed and parts finished, adding time and labor.

Not Always Ideal for Functional Testing
In some cases, prototype materials may not fully replicate the mechanical properties of final production materials.

Industries Used In

Our FDM Printers

TRUSTED BY

"We have been using Fracktal Works 3D Printers for multiple years now, and they are helping us with advanced research as well as student projects. The Fracktal is just a call away to support us."

Rohit Shenoi, Research Scholar, MIT Manipal

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