About NW Rapid Manufacturing
Meet the Makers
Northwest Rapid Manufacturing was founded in 2008 to deliver high-quality Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) parts to the expanding Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) market and other innovative industries.
Recognized as specialists in 3D printing, our NW Rapid team has over 40 years of combined experience. Our reliable, high-end equipment (each lovingly named after a fairy tale character) and experienced (notably hilarious) staff proudly produce the highest-quality 3D-printed prototypes and thin-walled parts.
Based in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in McMinnville, Oregon. NW Rapid is known as much for its meticulous work as its fun, energetic, and experienced team. As a woman-owned company in the tech industry, NW Rapid is used to turning heads (especially at trade shows; you can’t miss us), and our reputation for superbly designed, well-built prototypes and parts keeps our customers coming back. Well, that and our winning personalities.
Our Quality Policy
To provide our customers with the highest quality services at competitive prices and on-time delivery!
We pledge to provide high-quality parts at an affordable price within a reasonable timeframe.
NW Rapid is committed to designing and fabricating high-quality production and prototype parts through the continuous improvement of our rapid manufacturing process, which is specifically designed to meet our customers’ aggressive delivery schedules.
When producing thin-walled parts, it’s essential that they do not tear along the layer lines (maximizing adhesion between the layers)—our experience guarantees this most important production criterion. Meeting our customers’ requirements is our top priority. We monitor the output of our process continually and implement improvements accordingly.
Statement of Compliance—RoHS and WEEE DirectivesOur Community
Wine, country living, good food—all that was missing was a local 3D printer. With delight, we’ve filled those shoes since 2008! Many will tell you Yamhill County is an extraordinary combination of people, large manufacturers, and small local businesses. And anyone who knows anything about us knows we fit into the extraordinary.
Our community is a significant part of who we are, which is why it’s so important to us to support the businesses and individuals within it. Beyond frequenting our local farmer’s market and shopping locally as much as possible, here are three other ways we regularly give back to our community:
Yamhill County CASA
A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is an unbiased, fierce protector of an abused or neglected child going through the trauma of the court system. CASAs work within the system, yet remain outside of it. As an organization, they rely entirely on donations, applied-for grants, and volunteers. NW Rapid strongly supports Yamhill County CASA and everything it stands for. Our company president donates her time as the Vice Chair on the Board of Directors and is also an active CASA. NW Rapid sponsors and attends their events. We promote CASA fundraising and collect bottles and cans to donate! Visit CASA/GAL for more information on how you can help.
McMinnville High School Engineering & Aerospace Sciences Academy (EASA)
Every year (usually multiple times a year), NW Rapid finds a way to support the McMinnville High School EASA and Robotics Team. Whether it’s through tours of our facility to showcase future career opportunities to the kids, funding to help them build their robot, or attending competitions, we genuinely believe our future employees are only as good as we educate them.
DonorsChoose.org
We’ve donated to many causes on DonorsChoose.org, and there are too many to list here! It’s a great place to find teachers in your local community who need more funding to offer better things for their students.
A few of the projects we have donated to:
- A variety of seating choices — Mrs. Rolston’s elementary kids in Amity, OR
- 3D printing pens — Ms. Moorefield’s students in Amity, OR
- Tabletop drill press — Mr. Ross’s Sheridan High School woodworking area in Sheridan, OR
Our Team
A dedicated group of SLS 3D printing engineers and specialists, combining precision, innovation, and hands-on expertise to deliver high-performance results every time.
Meet the Experts Behind the Print
Our team of skilled engineers and SLS 3D printing specialists brings together deep technical knowledge, hands-on experience, nd a passion for precision. From complex prototypes to production-ready parts, we work closely with clients to ensure every project meets the highest standards of strength, accuracy, and performance.
Heather Harris
PresidentHeather has been working with SLS technology and 3D printing for over a decade. Her primary mission in providing 3D printing services has been centered around her deep understanding of materials and production processes and how they transform complex ideas into tangible solutions — whether it's functional prototypes to small batch production processes, or breakthrough applications that help redefine what is possible with additive manufacturing. Driven both by curiosity and craft, the goal of the approach is to make every project practical, scalable, and beautifully executed.
Ginny Long
ControllerAs Controller, Ginny has over 15 years of financial management experience in manufacturing environments. She specializes in financial reporting, budgeting, compliance, and internal controls.
Ken Christensen
Project EngineerKen has over 40 years of experience in mechanical and electro/mechanical design and engineering. His work experience covers a broad range of fields, from high-particle physics, chip production, automotive aftermarket, medical devices, all the way to housing and fenestration, with a practical working knowledge of just about every method of manufacture. He was first introduced to additive manufacturing in 1998, started working with and designing for SLA in 2001, started working with and designing for FDM in 2006, and finally got involved with SLS in 2014. Ken is married, has a spoiled dog, taught SCUBA diving for 18 years, has a passion for anything aquatic, and loves beer.
Cameron Minson
Production Specialist
Ricardo Chairez
Finishing Specialist
For details specific to your project, it’s best to call us at 503 434-8557 or request a quote.
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