Conceptual dimensional inspection of a machined prototype on a metrology table

PROCESS CONCEPT — NOT A FACILITY OR CUSTOMER INSTALLATION

MANUFACTURING PATH 01

Prototyping

Choose the prototype around what the team needs to learn next.

REVIEW THE PATH

STARTING DECISION

What uncertainty must the prototype remove?

Geometry, fit, motion, and interfaces
Material, appearance, and process behavior
Test plan and acceptance criteria
Quantity, timing, budget, and production intent

PATH FAMILYPrototypingPRIMARY INPUTDrawing + requirementsQUOTE FOCUSDelivered component scopeFinal fit depends on the actual geometry, material, volume, tooling, secondary operations, test, timing, and proposed manufacturing resource.

PROCESS FIT BEFORE PIECE PRICE

Make the manufacturing question explicit before routing the RFQ.

A useful prototype is not simply an early part. It should answer a defined question about fit, function, appearance, material behavior, assembly, test, tooling, or the intended production path.

Lupton helps organize the open questions so the proposed manufacturing resource can confirm process, capability, tooling, quality evidence, pricing, and lead time against the actual program.

Define the part

Start with geometry, material, interfaces, performance, volume, and timing.

Compare the path

Compare tooling, piece economics, secondary operations, change risk, and delivered scope.

Confirm the resource

Verify the facility, equipment, quality plan, capacity, test method, and responsible team.

CAPABILITY & RFQ SCOPE

Keep the process and delivered-part scope together.

Each card remains a starting point. The drawing and program requirements determine the actual manufacturing fit.

Design & appearance models

Use early parts to review geometry, handling, fit, and visual intent before production tooling.

Additive and stereolithography routes
Cast urethane and fabricated plastic models
Thermoformed or vacuum-formed parts
Documented revision and acceptance targets

Metal prototype routes

Select a route that preserves the material, geometry, and learning objective without assuming production tooling.

CNC machining and turning
Sheet-metal fabrication and short run metal stamping
Plaster, graphite, or air-set sand casting review
Aluminum or polymer extrusion review

Production-like bridge quantities

Use bridge parts when the program needs functional learning or early quantity before full production capital.

Injection or reaction-injection molding review
Thixomolding and metal conversion review
PC-board and box-build assembly, including custom cable assemblies
Production-process, inspection, and change plan

APPLICATION & PROCESS EXAMPLES

Use visual context without turning an image into a capability claim.

Published photography is preserved where available. Concept visuals appear only on routes with a verified photography gap and are labeled accordingly.

Conceptual dimensional inspection of a machined prototypeCONCEPT VISUAL — NOT A FACILITY OR CUSTOMER INSTALLATION

Published molded prototype housingAPPLICATION EXAMPLE

Published prototype equipment assemblyAPPLICATION EXAMPLE

Published prototype frame componentAPPLICATION EXAMPLE

Published machined transmission prototypeAPPLICATION EXAMPLE

RESOURCE & QUALITY GATE

Confirm the proposed resource and evidence before award.

Legacy equipment, certification, capacity, tolerance, savings, product-performance, and service-life claims are not treated as blanket Lupton capabilities. Verify them against the product and manufacturing resource actually quoted.

Verify before selection

01Proposed product, manufacturing resource, and responsible technical contact

02Current configuration, materials, interfaces, and operating limits

03Critical dimensions, functional acceptance criteria, and inspection plan

04Required testing, records, certifications, and traceability

05Secondary operations, packaging, installation, and service considerations

06Availability, release quantity, program timing, and change-control plan

MAKE THE RFQ EASIER TO ROUTE

Send the drawing and the requirements that change the manufacturing path.

Unknowns are acceptable. Label them so the next technical review resolves them instead of burying assumptions in a quote.

Helpful starting information

01Prototype purpose and the decision it must support

02Current drawing, model, revision, and known interfaces

03Target material and acceptable prototype substitutions

04Quantity, delivery sequence, and required date

05Dimensions, appearance, function, and test criteria

06Intended production process, volume, and unresolved risks

WANT TO DISCUSS THE PROJECT?

Review the part, open process questions, volume, tooling, timing, and current sourcing issue.

BOOK TIME WITH OUR TEAM

NOT SURE WHICH PATH FITS?

Start with the part and the requirement—not a process guess.

Lupton can help organize the drawing, material, volume, performance, timing, and open questions before the RFQ gets messy.