4IR, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is transforming all sectors of the manufacturing industry. WaveFx is contributing to the expansion of ProtoXYZ, a manufacturing and software company based in New Bedford, MA. ProtoXYZ provides cloud-based 3D printing and CNC machining processes, utilizing disruptive innovations and an AI-driven instant price quotation platform featuring advanced algorithms to save customers both time and money in the arenas of defense, robotics, medical devices, energy, and more.
At ProtoXYZ, manufacturing is made easy, with all orders produced in the USA. They are HUBZone Certified and ITAR Registered. ProtoXYZ plans to be fully ISO 9001 compliant by 4Q2024 and plans to acquire full certification by 2Q2025.
WaveFx is also headquartered in New Bedford, MA, making the companies neighbors.
“The City of New Bedford has a long history in manufacturing, and we’re excited to be part of ProtoXYZ’s founders’ journey. They're adding jobs to the community and strengthening the supply chain process,” says Al Peters, Founder of WaveFx. “If there’s anything we’ve recently learned, it’s that we need better control over our supply chain and manufacturing – it makes our country stronger and healthier. And through their web-based platform and automated 3D printing, customers can access a library of pre-priced parts and components, lowering costs and timelines. This helps engineers, designers and other creators bring their ideas to reality quickly and cost-effectively.”
The leadership team at ProtoXYZ is a true family affair. Brothers Nathaniel Fernandes, CTO and Jordan Fernandes, COO, co-founded the company in 2021, responding to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both brothers bring impressive expertise in computer science, engineering, and automation. Nathaniel played a key role in the development of Bose Sleepbuds II, earning a design patent for a component in the product, along with another patent for an innovative solar shingle side project. Jordan, during his tenure at Boston Scientific, helped launch a new medical endoscopic guidewire.
It was a natural choice for the brothers to invite their father, Mike Fernandes, to lead the company as CEO. Mike’s career includes co-founding Polyneer Inc., a designer and manufacturer of elastomeric components. After a decade of success attracting Fortune 500 clients, he sold his interests to a large Italian firm. Subsequently, Mike served as CEO and owner of Remote Sensing Solutions, a high-tech radar company that was acquired in 2021, coinciding with the founding of ProtoXYZ.
“Originally, I thought this would make a good side business,” recalls Jordan. “My dad suggested that we should turn it into a full-fledged company and grow it from there.”
“What sets us apart is how we’ve modernized providing price quotes on our website,” says Nathaniel. “We can analyze a part and automatically come up with a price, significantly speeding up the prototyping timeline.”
“In fact, the website is developed so that an engineer doesn’t even need to talk to us to get the information they need,” says Mike. “They can upload a part to our instant quotation engine and receive pricing immediately. Of course, we’re always available for in-person discussions with customers who prefer that approach.”
3-D printing is revolutionizing manufacturing due to its affordability, accessibility, and reliability. As an additive process, it allows you to start from scratch and build a part, layer by layer. ProtoXYZ currently offers 3D printing technology including Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Continuous Fiber Reinforcement (CF) and Stereolithography (SLA).
In addition, the company provides CNC Milling and Turning for a range of metals, plastics, and plastic composites. This subtractive process involves shaping a solid block by removing material through methods such as boring, grinding, cutting, or drilling. ProtoXYZ is also expanding its capabilities to include injection molding and sheet cutting in the near future.
In 2023, ProtoXYZ was recognized by the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP) and awarded a $160,000 grant to expand the production of metal components and invest in additional equipment, aimed at reducing costs and lead-times for customers.
To date, ProtoXYZ has created 10 full-time jobs, the majority being high-paying technical roles to support the growing list of customers they have attracted including Raytheon, Anduril, Sensata, Textron and the US Navy. Additionally, they have acquired over $1.2 million of new CNC machinery accepting three thousand square feet. ProtoXYZ intends to double the size of its facilities by 1Q2025.
“At WaveFx, we’re focused on collaborating with companies that are pioneering new ways to solve challenges that impact people worldwide,” says Al Peters. “ProtoXYZ is boosting cost savings and scaling efficiencies for all sectors of manufacturing.”
About WaveFx
At WaveFx we understand the founder’s journey because we’ve experienced it in technology, health care, energy, manufacturing and hospitality. We provide strategic support and flexible funding to purpose-driven founders who are changing the world. We value listening as the pathway to holistic growth, rooted in learning, purpose and values. We offer a comprehensive suite of solutions to build efficient, resilient workflows and business systems that focus on the intentional directional management of actions and objectives.
Ours is a community approach. Let's build something incredible. Together.
Learn more at www.wavefx.com or by contacting al@wavefx.com.
About ProtoXYZ
At ProtoXYZ, we are reinventing manufacturing though technology and disruptive innovation, to help engineers and creators bring their ideas to reality. Automation is at the heart of our company, and it allows us to offer competitive pricing, provide accurate leads times, and save money for our customers.
Learn more at www.protoxyz.com or by contacting info@xyz.com.
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