RP Platform Introduces Automated Pricing Feature for Traditional Manufacturing and 3D Printed Post-Processing Services

London-based RP Platform, which provides customizable workflow automation software for additive manufacturing, was launched back in 2013 by Autonomous Manufacturing Ltd. The company’s platform automates every stage of the AM process, so customers can achieve greater workflow efficiency and rapidly develop high-quality 3D printed parts. It provides a unique end-to-end solution, and the company, which also has an office in Kiev, continually works to deliver new solutions that will increase the automation of AM workflows, such as build preparation tools, integrated production management, and an email integration feature, which was introduced this spring as part of a software update.

Automation is increasingly important, as AM technology continues to evolve, to help companies from getting in over their heads. RP Platform offers its customers several different options, so they can customize the platform in a way that will work best for them.

Now, thanks to another new feature that RP Platform is introducing, customers will be able to receive automated pricing for traditional manufacturing methods and AM post-processing services for the first time.

“We believe that this is a game-changer because manufacturers can now easily price parts for both traditional and additive manufacturing as well as for post-processing,” RP Platform Marketing Manager Victoria Akinsowon told 3DPrint.com.

RP Platform is now extending a new service capability to its customers called Internal Quotation, which gives companies a way to price parts that are produced from traditional production methods, and AM post-processing services as well.

“At RP Platform we are committed to streamlining the additive manufacturing process. However, as AM is increasingly integrated into wider manufacturing processes, we found that a large number of our customers offer traditional manufacturing methods in addition to their additive manufacturing services. We therefore wanted to provide an efficient and effective way for them to price parts produced through both technologies,” said Felix Doerr, RP Platform’s Head of Business Development.

“Our new Internal Quotation system also allows our customers to price their post-processing services based on their own pricing formula, ensuring a smoother and more streamlined pricing and sales process.”

Companies will be able to use RP Platform’s new Internal Quotation system to produce automated quotations for AM post-processing services, in addition to a range of traditional production methods, such as injection molding, silicone tooling, and vacuum casting.

The process of producing quotes for additive and traditional manufacturing can be fairly manual work, and take a long time to boot. But the new Internal Quotation system automates the whole pricing process, which can result in faster turnaround times and a streamlined ordering process.

“Internal Quotation is essentially our way of combining both additive manufacturing and traditional manufacturing processes. We know that additive manufacturing will not replace traditional manufacturing methods, but is a powerful complement for applications such as mass customisation and the production of end-use parts and prototypes,” said Doerr. “Our Internal Quotation system therefore combines the best of both worlds on one software platform.”

RP Platform customers that use the new Internal Quotation system will be able to base the pricing of parts off their own parameters now. Additionally, AM post-processing services can now be priced in the same way, thanks to custom fields within the system that offer companies flexibility in setting up their own custom pricing formulas, which are based solely on their own individual requirements.

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