TE Connectivity (NYSE:TEL) today announced it opened its global Propelus Prototype Center for medical devices in Galway, Ireland.

The $5 million rapid prototyping center was built into its existing manufacturing site in Galway and directly connects TE engineers with customers to reduce development time and increase speed to market for lifesaving and life-improving medical devices.

Propelus has advanced engineering capabilities, including build-to-print services, quick turnaround prototype production and 3D printing. Engineers can work alongside customers to allow them to leave with a functional prototype and a detailed commercialization proposal. TE can also manufacture a final device at high volumes in one of its global manufacturing facilities to help manage supply chains.

“The principle is simple – getting high-quality prototypes into customers’ hands as quickly as possible. By improving the speed of product development and manufacturing, TE will help customers innovate and iterate advanced treatments at a more efficient pace, ultimately transforming patient care for the better,” said Mark Gill, director of operations at TE Connectivity.

TE Connectivity’s Galway site fulfills nearly the complete global demand for minimally invasive catheter metal shafts such as those used in coronary stents to open clogged arteries and neurovascular coils that are used to treat brain aneurysms.

“When our Propelus Prototype Center engineers are not busy working on customer projects, they are innovating for the future, staying close to new therapies and trialing new technologies so we stay ahead of the curve, today and tomorrow,” Gill said.