FAQ
FAQ
What industries use the services of RP Technologies?
We provide aluminium tooling and plastic injection moulded parts to many industries. These include the medical, automotive, aerospace, rail and electronics sectors. However, this list is by no means exhaustive. We have also completed projects for the defence, marine, retail and consumer product development industries, as well as many others besides. Our tooling and injection moulding services are so versatile and comprehensive that they can be applied to any industry. We work to incredibly tight tolerances and we have the latest machinery and measuring equipment to ensure that each component we produce is robust, reliable and of the highest quality.
Do you CNC machine parts from metals and plastics?
We manufacture precision machined components for prototyping or low volume batches in most metals and polymers. Volumes start as low as 1 and can increase substantially to support product designers and engineers at the prototyping stage. We have extensive CNC machining experience, with excellent state-of-the-art CNC machining centres, a highly competent CAD design team, and a team of vastly experienced CAM engineers. We machine up to a maximum size of 1575mm x 814mm, and we work to incredibly tight tolerances. All our work is fully supported by ISIR assessments and documentation.
By offering tooling, moulding, rapid prototyping and CNC machining under one roof, it means that we can reduce your total project costs by providing a one stop solution without the stress of sourcing multiple suppliers.
Do you complete each project yourself, or do you outsource?
We do not outsource even though sometimes it might be more financially lucrative for us to do so. We like to guarantee the quality of the aluminium tooling and the plastic injection moulded components we produce. The only way to do that is to keep production in-house. We like to ensure that everything which is shipped from RP is produced to the best possible standard. We want you to be really happy with your final components, and we want you to come back to us for your future tooling and moulding projects.
What is ‘Without Limits’?
RP Technologies is ‘Without Limits.’ This isn’t just an empty slogan. It’s who we are.
We specialise in producing complex parts which match the spec laid out in the original design. We don’t make changes to the original CAD, like some of our competitors. We ensure that our customers have the end component which they have designed, and which they are expecting.
There is no product design that is too complex for RP. We will find a way to produce what has been requested. We won’t change designs to make our life easier. We thrive on a challenge, and we like to give you, our customer, exactly what you have requested.
Sometimes, in order to achieve this, we have to go that extra mile. We problem-solve. We adapt.
As ‘partners not suppliers’, we have an open line of communication with our customers throughout. We lead the process, and we consult with our clients where necessary, so that they are always kept fully up to speed with developments and progress throughout the production process
Why do so many product designers and product engineers choose RP Technologies?
Product designers and engineers come to RP because we have as much, if not more, respect for the product design process than any of our competitors. This is not just empty words. The fact that we are ‘Without Limits’ and we don’t insist upon design changes before we commence production, like many of our rivals, demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that you get the component that you originally requested. We will never ask you to change your designs to make our lives easier. We’re committed, even on those really challenging projects, to go that extra mile and find a way to build the part that most accurately represents the original brief. Product designers and engineers enjoy working with us because of our commitment to upholding the key principles of the design process, and to staying faithful to their original vision for the component which they have asked us to make.
You’re known within the industry for specialising in complex designs. Do you also manufacture simple components?
It’s true that companies often come to us when they have a complex design they need bringing to the marketplace. These companies know that they can trust us to find a solution to a complex set of design/manufacture issues. We turn problems into solutions.
However, we should also state that, although we might have developed something of a niche in this area, we are also just as comfortable producing tooling and parts which are much simpler in their designs. In fact, sometimes we actually rather enjoy it!
The truth is that we will tool and mould absolutely anything. We produce tooling and parts which varies greatly in complexity, size, contours, finish and end application. We have become so adept at what we do over the years that there is no type of project which we haven’t, at some point or another, encountered before.
We are versatile, adaptable, and reliable.
And you can rest assured that if we can handle the really complex projects, then we can be more than trusted with the simpler ones.
What type of companies do you have as customers?
The versatility of our work is reflected in the variety of our customers. We work on behalf of customers of all different sizes. We have some customers who are multinationals right through to sole traders. Some of our customers are large FTSE 100 companies, whilst others are budding entrepreneurs chasing that one great idea that will change their lives. We represent SMEs, as well as large regional and national operations. We work across multiple business environments and have a firm and robust understanding of many industries. This understanding has been achieved over many years, through the work we’ve done and the projects we’ve completed.
What information do I need to supply for you to issue a quotation?
Ideally, we require a 3D CAD file in accepted format (see next question below), and a brief description of the project. And that’s it! It’s as simple and as easy as that.
If you do not have CAD, we will still review the project for you.
How do I get a free quotation?
To receive your free quotation, you simply need to send us your CAD and a brief description of the project. You can either email it to info@rptechnologies.co.uk, or you can submit it through the ‘Get a Quote’ portal on our website. If you would like us to sign an NDA first, we will happily do that. We can even provide an NDA if you do not have one at no extra charge.
What files do you accept for quotation requests?
We can accept the following file types: .pdf, .step, .stp, .stl, .ige, .igs, .x_t, .x_b, .7z, .sldprt, .catpart, .vda.
Do you have account managers and automated quoting software?
No. We do not believe in this. We’re a ‘people-first’ business with a ‘people-first’ approach.
We don’t see you as a number on a list, we see you as an individual client with individual needs.
We don’t believe in account managers because we’re not constantly trying to ‘hard sell’ to you. We don’t use computers to produce quotations. We value you too highly for that. We get someone with strong experience in tooling and injection moulding to take the time to get to know what you’re looking to achieve, to understand the project and its objectives, and to buy into the process. We won’t simply get a computer to produce a set of automated data and generate a price.
We favour human interaction and dialogue over cold and distant cost-saving automation.
Our project is highly secretive. What confidentiality measures will you adopt to protect the integrity of our work?
We will happily sign an NDA prior to even looking at the CAD. This is a legally binding agreement which prohibits us from discussing your proposal with anyone, regardless of whether you commission us for the project. If you do not have an NDA, we can provide you with one for free.
Do you have a fast turnaround service for tooling and parts?
We have a new fast turnaround service for tooling and parts called RP Rapid. RP Rapid produces tooling and parts in as little as 7 business days. It is a fast turnaround service for customers who find themselves in a jam and needing high quality parts produced quickly. This is a quickly developing area of our business, and one which has grown exponentially in a short space of time. We have many new customers for this service, many of whom have been so impressed with our ability to produce fantastic parts in very fast timeframes they have already placed repeat orders. More information about RP Rapid can be found here.
Do you offer First Article of Inspection (FAI) service?
We do offer First Article Inspection reports, also known as FAIRs. We offer this as part of our extensive Quality Engineering services. FAI is a measurement (dimensional check) of the first parts that are produced during the injection moulding process. It is a component review that covers general appearance, colour, grained finish, split line, ejector mark assessment, engraving of material codes and date stamps, as well as some other important variables.
Do you have customers overseas?
We have a huge customer base in our UK domestic marketplace, with many of these customers returning to us for repeat business due to the quality of our work and our consistent achievement of honouring lead times on the delivery of final components.
In addition to this, we also have many customers in overseas territories. As part of our wider global operations, we have many loyal customers in Europe and across the world, including the Americas, the Far East and the Southern Hemisphere.
We are actively trying to grow some of these important markets, and we are fully committed to supporting our customers in all geographical territories.
How will I know which grade of plastic material is best suited for my injection moulding project?
There are a range of factors to consider when deciding which plastic material will be most suited to a particular project. These include functionality, aesthetics and performance.
We have a team of production engineers and experts who have extensive experience within the injection moulding industry. They will be available and accessible to each of our clients to advise on best-fit plastics for any given project.
You can also read our technical article, ‘Choosing the Right Material for the Job.’
What Quality Engineering services do you provide?
For a detailed understanding of our Quality Engineering services, please visit our Quality and Accreditation webpage. Any queries can be addressed to info@rptechnologies.co.uk.
Can I move existing production tooling from another supplier to RP Technologies?
Yes. This is a hassle-free process. RP Technologies already supplies many companies across the EU with production mouldings which have been produced from supplied tooling.
Do you provide secondary processes such as finishes?
We offer an extensive range of value-added operations, including assembly, plastic welding, painting, decorative finishes, and printing.
Who owns the tooling?
All tooling at RP Technologies is owned by the customer.
We will keep the tool in a secure storage facility for you, and there will be no extra charge for this service. The tool will be completely accessible should you need repeat mouldings produced in the future.
What plastic injection moulding services do you offer?
We also offer several value-added injection moulding services.
Overmoulding is a part of the plastic injection moulding process where two or more components are moulded over the top of each other. It is, essentially, the combining of different materials, and can include different grades of plastic, or materials such as rubber.
We have used overmoulding on several projects. It has several advantages. It can help to produce customised parts, it improves product performance, allows for greater shock absorption, and it can also reduce costs for customers.
We often mould parts which need to be insert moulded. This is the process where metals are moulded with plastic components to form a single moulded part. Insert moulding allows designers a greater degree of flexibility, so that they can create whatever shape they desire. It also reduces resource costs by combing several elements in one process, and it increase the overall durability and strength of the final component.
At RP, these services can be integrated into the plastic injection moulding process to form a single and seamless cycle of work. It can all be done under one roof without customers having to go to the trouble of outsourcing these processes to several separate suppliers.
Is it possible to meet with you to discuss my project before commencement?
We will happily meet with you at any stage during the process.
If you would like to pay us a speculative, scheduled visit prior to the quotation process, we will be delighted to meet you.
If you would like to meet with us prior to the commencement of the project, we will also be very pleased to see you and to discuss the work in more detail.
We will also conduct regular meetings with you during the project if you deem such meetings necessary. We want you to feel fully supported throughout the project lifecycle.
We are also readily available for virtual meetings, and we can be contacted by telephone and email at any time during office hours.
Do you have a brochure?
All brochures and supporting material are available to download here.
What are the benefits of aluminium tooling over steel tooling?
As a rule of thumb, aluminium tooling is around 30-40% less expensive than steel tooling.
Initial investment costs are therefore lower, and customers will receive better value for low volume production runs.
It also reduces manufacturing time, making rapid prototyping of parts more viable than with steel tooling.
Aluminium tooling is also more versatile, which allows for ease of modification to the tool. Steel tooling can be difficult to repair or alter, which means that for bigger design changes the tool may need to be scrapped and a new tool commissioned.
Aluminium also has better thermal conductivity. Its superior heat dissipation reduces the number of faulty parts produced, minimising plastic waste and reducing turnaround times.
Where are your manufacturing facilities?
Our manufacturing facility is based in England in the United Kingdom. With a Head Office and purpose-built 25,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in the West Midlands, we are ideally situated in central England to support our strong domestic customer base across the length and breadth of the UK.
Further Information
If you would like us to issue a free quotation, or if you would simply like to make further enquiries into our services, please email info@rptechnologies.co.uk, or call +44 (0)121 550 5868.
Useful information, including downloadable documents, brochures and policies can be found here.