Abstract: A prototype production system, comprising: a plurality of machining apparatuses for carrying out respective manufacturing processes on a prototype; a device for transporting the prototype between the machining apparatuses and positioning the prototype appropriately for each of the respective manufacturing processes to be carried out; and a processor having means to receive prototype data specifying a prototype and means to deconstruct the production of the prototype into a series of manufacturing processes to be performed by respective machining apparatuses.

Abstract: An Internet-based exchange management system for implementing a manufacturing task requested by a user of an exchange, the system comprising: a project management processing system operable to provide a visual representation of the progress of the task to the user; a resource management processing system, operable to maintain a record of software which the exchange is licensed to utilise; a monitoring processing system, operable to monitor the operational status of at least one manufacturing facility involved in the manufacturing task; and a collaboration processing system, operable to allow real-time collaboration between the user and other members of the exchange.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a prototype, the apparatus comprising a headstock having a plurality of machining apparatuses for carrying out respective manufacturing processes on a prototype.