ProtoService develops parts for the automotive industry.
ProtoService is a leading Italian rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing service, founded back in 1997 and can list some of the most prestigious automotive companies as its biggest clients. Simone Casella, Director of Sales and Marketing, tells us about the company's developments in gaining ISO certification and the possibility of changing the brand name.
“We will probably change our company name because our identity is focused on additive manufacturing,” says Casella. “We have a lot of ideas to develop but at the moment we’re concentrated on achieving new customers in the European market.”
What started as a rapid prototyping service in the heart of Italy’s Motor Valley, Fornovo di Taro, has grown to provide additive manufacturing services to several industries offering various processes and materials of the highest level.
“Until 2005, ProtoService was only a company of rapid prototyping,” explains Casella. “With the arrival of DMLS technology it became an additive manufacturing facility. Today ProtoService is one of the biggest European companies involved in additive manufacturing.”
Since then the company has installed nine mental systems including seven laser and two EBM. The company also houses four plastic manufacturing machines and uses a wide range of materials across both processes. It also offers CNC milling and an in house service for heat treatment.
One of the key industries ProtoService supports is the automotive sector with an impressive portfolio studded with some of the biggest names in vehicle manufacturing.
However, over the years, the company has turned its focus to developing products for other fields too.
“Ferrari is still one of the major customers for us,” says Casella.
“The biomedical field is growing and now we produce a lot of parts for humans such as: hip, knee, shoulder and spine parts. We started a very good approach with aerospace companies and really soon we will start to manufactures parts for the aeronautical sector. This will be our future.”
Speaking about the future, the company has recently announced that it will make an exciting leap into the aeronautical and aerospace industries by the end of this year with an ISO 9100:2009 in the fields. This will allow the company to further their reach into the industries and offer their services to a wide range of customers.
“Additive Manufacturing will change our world,” says Casella. “Everybody is charmed by these technologies, students or old engineers. Lots of people, because of the low costs, have installed home plastic systems and they make money with simple ideas - toys or jewels. Aircraft manufacturers want to produce party by additive manufacturing in large quantities. A Revolution has started.”
