WMEP announces collaborative partnership with rapid prototyping center

Bringing new products to market just got a little easier – and more affordable – for Wisconsin’s small and mid-size manufacturers.

The Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) and Milwaukee School of Engineering’s (MSOE) Rapid Prototyping Center (RPC) on March 16 announced a collaborative partnership that will dramatically lower costs and expand access to the center’s leading-edge services.

Through WMEP’s new membership in MSOE’s Rapid Prototyping Consortium, small and mid-size manufacturers are able to purchase hours for prototyping services through WMEP at a discounted rate. Creating a prototype of a new product helps manufacturers shorten product development time, resolve design flaws and save money because prototypes made of plastic or similar materials are often less expensive than building an actual part.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to bring our prototyping technologies to smaller firms,” said John Choren, RPC’s director. “Our partnership with WMEP allows us to deliver these product development services without the capital investment that is often required for access to this technology.”

“MSOE’s Rapid Prototyping Center is a tremendous resource for state manufacturers,” said Michael Klonsinski, executive director of WMEP, a non-profit consulting firm that helps manufacturers grow and succeed. “It’s the largest center of its type in the U.S., and this partnership gives small and mid-size manufacturers access to state-of-the-art equipment and expertise that would not otherwise be available.”

Though Wisconsin is home to scores of innovative manufacturers, the state’s Next-Generation Manufacturing Study revealed a critical need to ramp up efforts to develop and launch new products. Customer-focused innovation is a key success attribute of next-generation manufacturing.

For more information on how to access prototyping services through the partnership, contact Roxanne Baumann, WMEP’s director of partnerships and alliances, at 262-442-8279 or baumann@wmep.org.

About the MSOE Rapid Prototyping Center
The Rapid Prototyping Center (RPC) is a powerful ally that helps businesses achieve prototype more quickly and take products to market faster. This joint effort of industry and MSOE is dedicated to the application of proven technologies to novel challenges. MSOE is the only university that has a 24/7 laboratory devoted to solving real-world problems with 11 rapid prototyping (RP) machines on site and more than 15 different RP materials to meet the product development and functional testing requirements of their industrial partners. Established in 1991, the RPC continues MSOE's tradition of building strong ties to business and industry. For more information, visit www.rpc.msoe.edu or call 414-277-7384.

About WMEP
WMEP is a private, non-profit consulting organization committed to the growth and success of Wisconsin manufacturers. A leader in next-generation manufacturing, WMEP brings best practices to Wisconsin firms to help them achieve world-class performance through innovation and transformation. During the past five years, WMEP-assisted manufacturers reported economic impact of $977 million with 7,965 jobs created/retained. WMEP receives financial support from the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, and partners with many public and private organizations to serve Wisconsin manufacturers. For more information, visit www.wmep.org or call 877-856-8588.