A customer once wrote us with a compliment stating, “You guys put the PRO in ProtoCAM.” While hearing words of gratitude from our customers about our rapid prototyping services is always poetry to our ears, this time it also provided the impetus to reflect on what our name means to us as a company, and the message it may convey to others.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.”
-William Shakespeare
Let’s explore the etymology of the underlying components. According to Dictionary.com:
“proto-
1. a combining form meaning “first,” “foremost,” “earliest form of,” used in the formation of compound words (protomartyr; protolithic; protoplasm), specialized in chemical terminology to denote the first of a series of compounds, or the one containing the minimum amount of an element…Origin: Greek…”
“CAM
[kam] noun
1. computer-aided manufacturing…Origin:1965–70…”
So ProtoCAM can be literally translated to mean something like “The foremost in computer-aided manufacturing.” It is interesting how the components of our company name describe not only the product, but the process. We use modern additive manufacturing technology like lasers and 3D printing and finish parts and prototypes with classic skills and craftsmanship to produce tomorrow’s products.
Initially, we developed the company name to simply identify ourselves as creating prototypes through Computer Aided Manufacturing. Although that certainly describes the historical foundations of our field, we work hard to make sure the more literal interpretation applies as well. We differentiate ourselves by providing exceptionally high quality prototypes and end-use parts on very tight schedules. Our daily efforts to truly provide “Excellence in Rapid Prototyping” have helped earn us the distinction of being the Eastern United States’ largest rapid prototyping bureau.
But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is a laser, and builds a 3D part in a vat of ultra-violet sensitive resin!
Next time you need a high quality prototype rapidly, remember the PROs and contact ProtoCAM. (As for “prose,” well, the library is probably your better bet!)
