MetroWest495 Biz

24 MetroWest495 Biz | May 2014 than machining." But Dougherty said there's one thing about worries him about 3D printing: As prices for the device continue to drop, some customers that go to Assabet for machined prototypes could find it easier to get a 3D printer and make the prototypes themselves. "Any engineer could hit 'print' from their desk," he said. Competition is king Justin Coutu, the president of R&D Technologies, a Rhode Island supplier of 3D printers that distributes the devices in Massachusetts, said the technol- ogy is catching on with everyone "from Hasbro to Pratt & Whitney." He said 3D printed prototypes in particular can be a key for manufacturers that want to protect their designs, and they can also help them win business. "Going from concept to beta is a big deal," he said. "That's where you can completely lose a product … You have to get out faster than competitors. It's a cutthroat business world out there." When it comes to consumer products, Coutu said, making quick prototypes can go beyond testing purposes and be part of a dynamic marketing strategy. He said snowboard makers, for instance, can print out bindings for the boards and use them in magazine advertisements and gauge consumer response before building molds and starting to make the real thing. "You want to make sure you're getting orders, and it's well reviewed and the public's perceiving it as something they want to buy," he said. Coutu said the possibilities for 3D printing can only grow, particularly as the 3D printing of metal products becomes more practical. Metal print- ing is already used for some precision aerospace parts, but the machines cost $750,000. Over time, though, he said their prices will certainly come down. In five years, he said, he expects replacement parts for cars to be made on the machines on a regular basis. Like other types of 3D printing, he said, the shift will only mean good things for domestic manufacturing. "In an economy where we need to keep things a little bit leaner, stop having China eat our lunch, we need to find ways to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and do it effectively," he said. n 905 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 tel. 508.842.1213 • www.elevationee.com CUSTOM RENTAL GLOBAL GRAPHICS EVENTS PORTABLES 3d prinTing s page 19 Thursday • June 26, 2014 Cyprian Keyes Golf Club • 284 East Temple St. • Boylston, MA 5:00 pm (Doors open at 4:30 PM) Awards Ceremony You're InvIted! Please join us for an evening of celebration and networking as we honor the 2014 Central Mass Family Business Award winners. Media Sponsor: Register online at: www.wbjournal.com/familybusinessawards Presenting Sponsors: FAMILY BUSINESS A W A R D S C E N T R A L M A S S . WORCESTER BUSINESS JOURNAL'S 2014 winners announced in Worcester Business Journal's June 9 edition. Produced By: Supporting Sponsors: Networking & Cocktail Reception to Follow • hors d'oeuvres • cash bar Cost: $35 Seating is limited. Pre-registration required.

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