Who is was IPS?

Innovative Prototype Services was formed in 2002 and is based in Cambridge, New Zealand with the goal of providing services locally and internationally.

Due to a range of reasons, it has been decided that IPS will cease to exist on Friday, 1 November 2024. This is more than 22 years after formation.

There have been so many very interesting projects and experiences in this time. There have been contacts with a huge range of people and organisations, some of them have been hugely inspirational.

There have also been some hugely disappointing experiences too, but these serve to build an inner strength.

Technology moves on, and while the services we provided have evolved to meet these changes over the years, the time has come to call an end to this enterprise.

On a personal note, I look back at what was "Bleeding Edge" technology when I first encountered "Rapid Prototyping" in 1989, two years after 3D Systems released its first machine. Why "Bleeding Edge"? Because few believed it was real, many more thought it was useless and most thought I was stupid. I lost over NZ$500,000 on the first attempt to launch a business based on the SLA technology, but paid off my creditors in full and started again.

We provided a range of services from concept to production drawings and visualisations using 3D CAD, Reverse Engineering, Finite Element Analysis and other analytical software, concept and prototype models, limited or short run production parts, special parts and early or production tooling. Often pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible at the time.

Overall, it has been an exciting journey. The knowledge and experience gained over the last 36 years in the RP/AF sector is being parked. Few of the young in the sector believe there is any value in what the "old-timers" know or did - I guess that is their loss - they will have to learn some of this for themselves, but they will also need to learn a host of new things too. I genuinely wish them well, and if, at some point, they think this "old-timer" can help them, then all they need to do is ask.

Thank you all for everything.

Email: info@rapidprototype.co.nz