A group of enterprising Wichita State University students have started a new business helping small engineering firms save time and money on research and development.

Computer science major Andrew Trefethen, aerospace engineering major Zane Woltz and business management major Austin Slater opened ProtoBench in January at 2065 S. Edwards.

The company uses 3-D printing, CAD modeling and various forms of casting to create complete product prototypes, such as wearables, product housings and replacement components.

They created the business because they identified a problem faced by small companies and individuals that do their own engineering, Trefethen says.

Because key parts manufacturers only ship orders of 1,000 or more, engineering firms and inventors are left with two choices: order in bulk and hope that the parts will work in their design; or spend a long time reviewing each new product for design flaws based on manufacturer specs.

“These processes lead to wasted man-hours, and the time spent reviewing the product could have been used getting to market before their competition,” Trefethen says. “The same technology can prepare individual innovators or new entrepreneurs to get in front of investors.”

And getting in front of investors, he says, is key.

“Investors are less and less likely to get sold on an idea alone,” Trefethen says. “Prototypes are just another form of evidence for investors.”

Higher-quality innovation

ProtoBench fits in by manufacturing individual physical product models, saving significant direct cost.

“Lower R&D costs and faster turnarounds lead to higher quality innovation,” he says.

For small projects, ProtoBench uses its 3-D printing and casting equipment. For larger items, the team contracts with local manufacturing firm Leading Edge Aerospace.

Trefethen says he and the other two founders are still working on gaining a steady client stream and have been active in various networking events, such as 1 Million Cups and the 2016 Engineering Expo.

They are also working with the Kansas Small Business Development Center, which Trefethen says has been a big support, along with the College of Engineering.

“Thanks to some of the professors, we have developed methods to mimic materials and properties we thought were years down the road for us,” he says.