From prototype to series production<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Determining the correct route<\/h2>\n
The challenge in delivering a functional prototype<\/a> is to mimic the final product (produced in series) as closely as possible. After all, the primary goal of a prototype is to investigate whether a concept works, not to produce hundreds or thousands of units. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Delivering a prototype presents various challenges in this regard:<\/span><\/h2>\n\n- The material for printing is often not the same as the final product,<\/li>\n
- Tolerances that have never been validated under production conditions,<\/li>\n
- Wanddiktes die \u00e9\u00e9n keer goed printen maar in serie kunnen vervormen.<\/li>\n
- Of andere zaken die relevant kunnen zijn zoals afmetingen, bouwori\u00ebntatie, krimp, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>
Nevertheless, the value of prototypes for testing and validation remains undeniable. However, it is important to make a clear distinction between delivering a prototype and delivering a final product, especially if the final technology for series production has not yet been determined. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Functional](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" "\\"Prototype")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Series production through Additive Manufacturing<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>To determine whether additive manufacturing is suitable for series production, several matters will have to be clearly determined:<\/p>\n
\n- Complexity of the design<\/li>\n
- Production quantities or batch sizes<\/li>\n
- Final production or run; quantities\/batches<\/li>\n
- Degree of non-standard batches (mass) customization<\/li>\n
- Possible design modifications during the life cycle of the end-use product<\/li>\n
- Improving functionality; topology, hollow structures, optimal air or fluid flows<\/li>\n
- Adding functionality such as component integration, hinge functions, or specific surfaces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Applying Design for Additive Manufacturing for series production<\/h3>\n
Net als elke productietechniek heeft Additive Manufacturing ook eigen ontwerprichtlijnen<\/a>. Deze richtlijnen wijken ook nog af per printtechniek. Daarbij dient een gedegen ontwerp ook rekening te houden met bouwori\u00ebntatie, building envelopes, nabewerkingsprocessen, consistentie, en dergelijke. <\/p>\nDesign for Additive Manufacturing can typically reduce the cost per part by 30\u201360% compared to one-to-one printing of a prototype.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Validatieon for series eproduction.<\/h3>\n
Series production with additive manufacturing requires\u2014just like other techniques\u2014validated tolerances, material certainty, and a reproducible production and post-production process.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
OUR APPROACH<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/div><\/div>INTAKE<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>By gaining insight into your application, we determine which technical and economic aspects are decisive for choosing additive manufacturing for series production. A short ‘scope call’ of approximately 30 minutes is often planned for this. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/div><\/div>FEEDBACK<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>Based on the intake and the shared information, you will receive our feedback and advice regarding:<\/p>\n
Technique:<\/h4>\n
Based on your application and requirements, the material is determined, as well as the tolerances, volumes, and geometry to be applied. These determine the final production process: additive manufacturing or a combination with other techniques. The possible post-production processes are also determined at this stage. <\/p>\n
Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM)<\/a>.<\/h4>\nDesign optimization of your parts for manufacturability: making optimal use of build orientation, wall thicknesses, minimizing support structures, and design freedom for additive manufacturing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/div><\/div>DEFINITION<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>After various interactive sessions, both online and at your location, a complete proposal is drawn up including:<\/p>\n
\n- The final techniques; additive manufacturing and\/or other techniques<\/li>\n
- Post-productie<\/a>; nabewerking en assemblage<\/li>\n
- The agreed quality level and control<\/li>\n
- Final prices based on agreed volume and batches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/div><\/div>
VALIDATION &<\/h3>\nON-BOARDING<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>Zero series, dimensional checks, functional tests, and an established production protocol. This is how the best and most consistent quality for series production is achieved. <\/p>\n
Determining the correct route<\/h2>\n
The challenge in delivering a functional prototype<\/a> is to mimic the final product (produced in series) as closely as possible. After all, the primary goal of a prototype is to investigate whether a concept works, not to produce hundreds or thousands of units. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Nevertheless, the value of prototypes for testing and validation remains undeniable. However, it is important to make a clear distinction between delivering a prototype and delivering a final product, especially if the final technology for series production has not yet been determined. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> To determine whether additive manufacturing is suitable for series production, several matters will have to be clearly determined:<\/p>\n Net als elke productietechniek heeft Additive Manufacturing ook eigen ontwerprichtlijnen<\/a>. Deze richtlijnen wijken ook nog af per printtechniek. Daarbij dient een gedegen ontwerp ook rekening te houden met bouwori\u00ebntatie, building envelopes, nabewerkingsprocessen, consistentie, en dergelijke. <\/p>\n Design for Additive Manufacturing can typically reduce the cost per part by 30\u201360% compared to one-to-one printing of a prototype.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Series production with additive manufacturing requires\u2014just like other techniques\u2014validated tolerances, material certainty, and a reproducible production and post-production process.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> By gaining insight into your application, we determine which technical and economic aspects are decisive for choosing additive manufacturing for series production. A short ‘scope call’ of approximately 30 minutes is often planned for this. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Based on the intake and the shared information, you will receive our feedback and advice regarding:<\/p>\n Based on your application and requirements, the material is determined, as well as the tolerances, volumes, and geometry to be applied. These determine the final production process: additive manufacturing or a combination with other techniques. The possible post-production processes are also determined at this stage. <\/p>\n Design optimization of your parts for manufacturability: making optimal use of build orientation, wall thicknesses, minimizing support structures, and design freedom for additive manufacturing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> After various interactive sessions, both online and at your location, a complete proposal is drawn up including:<\/p>\n Zero series, dimensional checks, functional tests, and an established production protocol. This is how the best and most consistent quality for series production is achieved. <\/p>\nDelivering a prototype presents various challenges in this regard:<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
![\"Functional](\"https:\/\/www.tenco-ddm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Prototype-8.png\" "\\"Prototype")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Series production through Additive Manufacturing<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n
![\"Digital](\"https:\/\/www.tenco-ddm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_9155-scaled.jpg\" "\\"IMG_9155\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Applying Design for Additive Manufacturing for series production<\/h3>\n
Validatieon for series eproduction.<\/h3>\n
OUR APPROACH<\/h2>\n<\/div>
INTAKE<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
FEEDBACK<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Technique:<\/h4>\n
Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM)<\/a>.<\/h4>\n
DEFINITION<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n
VALIDATION &<\/h3>\n
ON-BOARDING<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>