Welcome to the MNL Website
Since 1971, Malcolm Nicholls Limited has established itself as one of the most prestigious rapid prototyping companies in Europe. Priding itself on the quality of it's work, MNL offer concept models through to fully operational working prototypes, for all market sectors. Hi-tech rapid prototyping methods (Stereolithography, Selective Laser Sintering etc.) and traditional skills, coupled with integrated project management ensure that high quality prototypes are delivered on time, every time.
Please read on to discover why MNL has a real passion for prototypes
New Nylon SLS Material:with finer particles, components are much smoother.
Latest News ... MNL 1st in UK with Superior Nylon SLS Powder
After months of testing early in 2007, MNL are proud to announce another first in the UK.
Innov'PA 1550 is a completely new Nylon SLS powder rapid prototyping parts with a superior surface finish.
With the look and feel much closer to injection moulded components, Innov'PA 1550 is a cut above other Nylon SLS powders.Click Here for more details.
Rapid Protoyping Quotes within 24Hrs:
Rapid Protoyping Quotes within 24Hrs
With projects needed within days, why wait for your competitive quotation.
Just email your CAD designs and a list of your requirements to rp@mnl.co.uk, and we will endeavour to return your quotation within 24Hrs.
Please, where possible, send stl files to speed up the quotation process. Many other formats are acceptable.
A Brief Summary of Our Rapid Prototyping Services ...
Expand the items below to get a brief summary of the services MNL has to offer.
MNL's philosophy and work ethic ...
Since 1971, Malcolm Nicholls Limited has established itself as one of the most prestigious prototyping companies in Europe. Priding itself on the quality of it's work, MNL offer concept models through to fully operational working prototypes, for all market sectors.
Fully Functional SLS models ...
A relatively recent introduction to the facilities at MNL (August 2005) is the HiQ Sinterstation. MNL currently offer 2 choices of material including Innov'PA 1550 Nylon and Castform PS. The Nylon parts are available in natural or coloured to customer specified Pantone numbers. Castform PS parts, when infiltrated with wax, become investment casting patterns. Castform patterns are ideally suited to complex functional metal castings, as traditional tooling considerations for waxes are eliminated.
The new Innov material means we have rapid prototyping in its true sense. Look out for the new Innov'PA 2550 material, a glass and aluminium filled nylon which opens doors for more rapid manufacturing possibilities.
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Large format Stereolithography models ...
With the SLA5000 MNL can rapidly produce parts up to 500x500 in one hit, however a recent project saw production of a fabricated SL model assembly 2 metres tall, 800mm wide by 900mm deep. Most rapid prototyping projects start with an SLA master model ...
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Very intricate Stereolithography models ...
Especially created for rapid prototyping small components. with the Viper SL machine MNL can build very thin walled parts down to 0.15mm in some cases. The 0.075mm diameter spot size produces amazingly crisp detail, coupled with the latest Si50 resin which produces beautifully smooth walled parts with an ABS look and feel.
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Vacuum cast components ...
With several large format vac casting machines MNL are able to produce polyurethane parts from tools as large as 900x600x500mm. MNL's experience of vac casting, which started in the 70's, enables them to cast components most other rp companies shy away from. Recent casting materials include, real nylon, PVC simulant, clear & flexiclear, a range of Shore A rated elastomers, high temperature resins (up to 200°C), low temperature resins (as low as -40°C), FDA approved (no wets), as well as a multitude of simulants for most thermoplastics.
The ability to reproduce 20 sets of components in only a few days gives the true meaning to rapid prototyping ...
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Vacuum cast non-ferrous metals...
utilizing standard vac casting machines to produce waxes from silicon tools, MNL are able to give the foundry an excellent sacrificial pattern for their vacuum assisted casting process. This casting process is able to produce superb results in terms of intricacy, thin walls, and porosity.
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Traditional modelmaking team ...
Most of MNL's team have each been with them over 20 years. The skills MNL's team offer, not only enable full scale modelling of projects such as; railway platform systems, foam block models, hammer-form tools; but also simple design changes to rapid prototyping models.
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Quality starts here ...
by knowing exactly what customers require from their prototypes. Communication with you the customer on all aspects of your project is paramount in todays frantically tight schedules.
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