From Rapid Prototyping to Low-Volume Manufacturing

(Image courtesy of Star Rapid.)

Star Prototype has announced that it is rebranding to Star Rapid. The new name comes at a time when traditional manufacturing operations are being combined with technologies like 3D printing.

“We found that the word ‘prototype’ in our name had a tendency to advertise ourselves as solely a prototyping company, when in fact that’s not the case,” said Gordon Styles, founder and president of Star Rapid. “We do make quality rapid prototypes, of course, and will continue to do so. But that’s an increasingly smaller percentage of our business.”

(Image courtesy of Star Rapid.)

The rebrand also coincides with an expansion of the company’s 60,000 square-feet of facilities and investment of USD $2.5 million in new equipment, including plastic injection molding machines, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining centers and Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM).

With the addition of metal 3D printing and 5-axis CNC machining, Star Rapid is aiming to provide comprehensive solutions for next-generation parts and prototypes, volume production and finishing services.

Star Rapid has also invested heavily in inspection and quality control, with dedicated employees specific to this area and new testing equipment, including metals and plastics spectrometers. These measures are essential for ensuring the conformance of raw materials.

(Image courtesy of Star Rapid.)

“The initial founding more than a decade ago, and the recent rebrand to Star Rapid, were partly inspired by principles found within the world of Star Trek,” said Styles. “As a company, we embrace high technology to enhance the expertise and experience of our staff, and we strive to operate as a meritocracy. We know that with the right tools and a dedicated team, we can challenge the status quo.”

Over the next five years, Star Rapid plans to expand by an additional 30 percent.

To learn more about Star Rapid, visit company website.