Prototech, Inc. - About Us

History

Prototech started in Lewisville, Texas, in 1983, growing almost exclusively by word of mouth from satisfied customers to be the biggest business of its’ kind in the Southwest. In 1987 we outgrew our original space and purchased our second building. By 1993 Prototech had grown to 25 employees, due in part to work performed for Abbott Labs, in Irving, TX and Tandy (known as Radio Shack, Memorex and others) in Ft. Worth, TX. Our clients come from many cities throughout the United States as well as clients in England, Luxembourg and Singapore.

Glyn Churchman, the founder and President has a background in engineering, prototyping, art, and model making. Glyn has been involved in Industrial Model Making for over 25 years. He is one of the founding members of the Association of Professional Model Makers (APMM).

Glyn has spoken to numerous groups and published articles related to temporary tooling, urethane casting and safety (on using materials containing isocyanates). He has consulted regarding prototype urethane casting processes and techniques.

We are nationally recognized for our urethane castings of prototype and limited production parts. Prototech, in 1991, was first in the DFW area to make silicone molds and cast urethane parts, with SLAs as patterns. We were the first in the area to use CIBA's (now Vantico) fast/high performance "Parts-in-Minutes" materials and BJB's innovative 883 urethane. We were featured in a CIBA video and are in much of their advertising.

With our new facility, designed specifically for model making, we plan to expand our client base and employ more model makers. We are already considering adding more machining capability. Our specialty is still machining and urethane castings. After sixteen years of developing a reputation for a diverse prototyping capability we will continue to keep up with technology by looking at other opportunities in prototyping such as Rapid Prototyping, Rapid Tooling and more limited or bridge production as we grow.

Our location in Lewisville is convenient to our diverse clientele being centrally located to North Dallas, the Mid-Cities and N. Ft. Worth. We are only 10 minutes from Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport.

Rapid Prototyping

Prototech was first in the Dallas-Ft.Worth area to make silicone molds and cast prototype parts in urethane using SLA patterns, in 1991.

Prototech offers a full range of Rapid Prototyping services. We offer superior finishing services, paying attention to retaining dimensional quality and crispness of the parts while enhancing the cosmetic qualities. Often, we accomplish this by offering a hybrid part. We have solid relationships with a number of reliable rapid prototyping service bureaus in order to offer SLA, SLS, FDM or whatever is most appropriate for the job.

Machining

We machine complex parts in all engineering plastics and tooling board available plus aluminum, stainless steel, brass, and other materials. Prototech typically imports CAD files via E-mail, FTP, or disc from all over the country. Skilled programmer/machinists use 3D CAD/CAM applications convert them into CNC machining programs. Prototech uses the latest computer aided design and computer aided machining technology. Tooling of all sizes for vacuum-forming and thermoforming is commonly made at Prototech. Whether a client needs machined parts, patterns or tooling, our "rapid machining" capability complements fast evolving RP technologies.

Molding

Prototech was first in the area to use CIBA's (now Vantico) fast/high physical properties "Parts-in-Minutes" materials in 1995 and we used BJB's innovative 883 urethane in 1992 to make "Laser Tag" guns and vests which we designed in-house for Heads-Up Technologies in Addison. Prototech has been featured in many of CIBA’s advertising literature, articles and video. We are nationally recognized for our urethane castings of prototype and limited production parts and do some of the finest, detailed and accurate molding (using temporary tooling) of anyone in the Southwest.

The majority of Prototech’s work revolves around working prototypes (and limited production or pre-production parts) of equipment or product enclosures and internal components. We mold housings and components for computers, telecommunications devices, medical equipment, orthopedic devices, sound equipment, auto components/accessories, and toys. A leader in casting sophisticated parts, Prototech uses rigid and flexible urethanes, epoxy, polyester and silicone rubber to make most of it’s parts. Prototech constantly evaluate new resins and processes and works with manufacturers to formulate materials which have the properties that our customers require. Molds and parts are both cast using precise metered dispensing equipment. We use both vacuum and pressure casting processes. Prototech has embarked on designing and building "rapid tooling" or "bridge tooling" for injection molding of thermoplastic parts.

Other

As part of being a full service prototyping house, Prototech also provide related services. We do in-house painting, silk-screening and color mixing. Prototech made over a hundred stainless steel "folders" for Levi Strauss, which combined and folded together denim prior to stitching. This project involved high-tolerance folding, machining, silver soldering and polishing. Prototech has made high temperature silicone seals, formed microphone heads of wire-cloth and wound and formed springs. The list of what we have prototyped and can prototype is almost endless.