Rapid Prototyping - Key to Speedy Manufacturing

This article comes from http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/reshor/rh-spr97/proto.htm and post by Lea McLees.

SPEED AND ACCURACY are the hallmarks of successful, profitable manufacturing in the 1990s. Products that miss target market dates or bear unanticipated design flaws can cost manufacturers dearly in lost sales and development investments, giving competitors an advantage.

And the window for meeting target market dates is shrinking, notes principal research scientist Tom Starr.

"Today, products can miss their markets if they are even six months late," says Starr, a researcher in Georgia Tech's School of Materials Science and Engineering.

Leon McGinnis, professor of industrial and systems engineering, agrees.

"Companies today can't afford to make mistakes when they are bringing products to market," he says.

Rapid prototyping and manufacturing (RPM) technologies hold vast potential for ensuring quickly designed, precise products. These methods allow prototypes -- and perhaps one day, the products themselves -- to be built quickly from computer-aided design (CAD) files using photochemically sensitive resins or other materials. Rapid prototypes are ready within hours or days of design; conventional prototypes can require weeks or months to build or mold.

RPM offers monetary savings, as well. Pratt and Whitney's Rapid Prototyping and Casting Laboratory in Connecticut reported in 1995 having made 2,000 RP castings at a cost of $600,000 to $700,000 -- a savings of $6.4 million, when compared to the $7 million that would have been spent using conventional prototyping methods.

But the availability of RPM technology doesn't guarantee its productive use. Education and experience are necessary, and, as with any technology, RPM could be enhanced with further research and development

Professional Star Prototype China Provides top quality prototype services such as: rapid prototyping, rapid plastic injection molding, rapid pressure die casting, rapid precision machining. We will be your first choice for rapid prototypes.

The Basics of Merchant Accounts

Back in the day, it was very difficult to get a merchant account. Banks were so strict about requirements which you either met or not. There weren’t too many options as well and the banks offered very little freedom in their policies and rates. Now, a lot of this has changed. There are many companies these days that just might give you a merchant account, whether you’re a big or small business, with or without a physical location. There are simply more providers now who are more liberal with their rules on approving applications and every businessman should take advantage of this.

If you’re looking around for a good merchant account, the most important thing at this stage is to keep your eyes open on the numbers involved – fees, percentages, credit card processing rates, etc. It’s also wise to understand how the bank defines certain terms. For example, “transaction” may mean simply getting authorization but may include processing a return.

The type of business you have also confirms your need for a merchant account. If you have a big business with a huge volume of sales monthly, getting this account can save you money in the long run. However, if you’re just starting out, you may find a third party merchant to be a good way to go. These third party vendors will normally take care of all details, pay the fees and even take care of the risks, including security issues for your customers as they make their purchase online. In this set up, the monthly fees are usually higher, but there won’t be a need to pay set up charges, gateway fees, etc. You simply pick the service you think is good for your business. They will simply instruct you on what to do depending on the service that you have picked.

If you want to give your customers the convenience of making an online payment with their credit card or check, you do have to apply for a merchant account. It is actually very simple. The first general rule you need to follow is to look for options, options and more options. From these, you will be able to spot their differences and base your decision on which one you think will provide you the best service. Take your time to study about fees, rates and policies, especially about security issues. If you have other businessman friends who have merchant accounts, it would be a great help if you could come to them for assistance.

How Merchant Accounts Benefit Business

If you operate a website but do not provide your customers the choice of paying by credit card changes are you are losing vast amounts of revenue and business every month. While at first glance it may seem expensive to set up a merchant account, ultimately you will save yourself and make yourself a lot of money providing customers this option.

If you do accept credit cards you want to be sure that you select the best merchant account for your business. Most companies, particularly those based in the United States and Canada, have a ton of different choices when it comes to accepting credit card payments online.

Methods For Accepting Online Payments

For international businesses wanting to accept credit card payments, finding a merchant account may be a bit more challenging, however it can be done and should be done to help boost a slow business. There are basically three different ways you can set up online payments for any business:

- You can set up your own merchant account, usually from your private or business bank.

- You can use an intermediary or a merchant account broker to establish a merchant account.

- You can use a third party service to process online payments for you.

The method you choose will depend on a number of factors including your revenues the size of your business and the number of years you have been in business. Many opt for third party services to provide online payment for clients and customers.

I feel pressure in my life

In our chinese new year. We need to visit our relative one by one, include my girl's. There are so many people to see. Because we are not rich, so when we see the rich relative. They always have a low eye on me. I feel so pressure. I always want to change my life, but i think it's hard to do that. My family is always in the dark times. Maybe only the Jesus can help me.

Introduce myself

Hello, welcome to Boolfish Blog. My name is Boolfish, this is my first blog on Blogger.

I am chinese, my hometown is Shenzhen. Although my english is not good, but I will write something on it if i have spare time. Hope you may love it. Every comment and advice is welcome! Hope we can be friend.