Your Bridge from Design to Production.
Rapid Prototyping Services
Rapid prototyping efficiently transforms digital concepts into tangible models. Utilizing advanced processes like CNC machining and industrial 3D printing, it delivers functional prototypes within 1-3 business days.
This approach is critical for professional engineering and product development, providing key strategic advantages:
Reduce Development Risk: Test form, fit, and function early to identify issues before mass production.
Lower Overall Cost: Avoid expensive tooling modifications and late-stage design changes.
Shorten Time-to-Market: Accelerate design iterations and make faster, data-driven decisions.
Improve Final Quality: Validate and refine designs with real-world physical models.
Our Professional Prototyping Solutions
Precision CNC Machining Prototypes
CNC machining is a subtractive manufacturing process that produces high-accuracy, functional prototypes directly from engineering materials like metals and plastics. It is the ideal solution for parts requiring tight tolerances, superior strength, and real-world testing.
Key Advantages :
- Functional Performance: Creates durable prototypes that accurately mimic the properties of final production parts.
- Material Versatility: Wide selection of metals (aluminum, stainless steel, brass) and plastics (ABS, PC, Nylon).
- Exceptional Precision: Achieves tight tolerances (typically ±0.1 mm or better) and excellent surface finishes.
- Ideal For: Functional testing, assembly verification, rugged environments, and high-quality presentation models.
Rapid 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing
3D printing builds complex parts layer by layer from digital models, enabling unparalleled design freedom and speed. It is perfect for rapid design iteration, concept validation, and producing intricate geometries that are difficult or impossible with traditional methods.
Key Advantages:
- Speed & Agility: Produce parts in hours or days, accelerating the earliest stages of design and development.
- Design Complexity: Create lightweight structures, internal channels, and organic shapes without extra cost.
- Tooling-Free: Eliminates the need for molds or fixtures, reducing upfront cost and lead time.
- Multi-Technology Options: Includes SLA for smooth details, SLS for durable nylon parts, and FDM for cost-effective models.
- Ideal For: Concept models, complex prototypes, form and fit checks, and low-volume custom parts.
Professional Sheet Metal Fabrication Prototypes
Our sheet metal fabrication service transforms flat sheets into precise, enclosures, brackets, and chassis. Utilizing laser cutting, bending, and welding, we deliver prototypes and low-volume production runs with speed and accuracy.
Key Advantages:
- Prototype to Production: Seamlessly scales from a single prototype to mid-volume runs with consistent quality.
- Fast Turnaround: Laser cutting and automated bending enable quick production of complex sheet metal parts.
- Industry-Standard Materials: Includes aluminum, cold-rolled steel, stainless steel, and galvanized steel.
- Secondary Services: Comprehensive finishing options like powder coating, anodizing, and silk-screening.
- Ideal For: Electronic enclosures, mounting brackets, chassis, panels, and structural components.
Technical Specifications Across Prototyping Services
Directly compare the key technical parameters of our core prototyping services to select the optimal process for your project’s requirements in strength, precision, and speed.
| Technical Specifications | CNC Machining | 3D Printing | Sheet Metal Fabrication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Tolerance | ±0.1 mm | ±0.1 - 0.2 mm (SLA/SLS) | ±0.1 mm (Cutting), ±0.5° (Bending) |
| Maximum Part Size / Build Volume | 800 x 600 x 500 mm | 550 x 550 x 750 mm (SLS) | 3000 x 1500 mm (Sheet Size) |
| Standard Lead Time (Prototype) | 3-7 days | 2-5 days | 5-10 days |
| Surface Finish (Standard) | Ra 3.2 μm (as machined) | Layer lines visible (as printed) | Deburred, smooth edges |
| Minimum Feature Size / Wall Thickness | 1.0 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm (dependent on material) |
| Best For | High-strength, functional parts with tight tolerances. | Complex geometries, rapid design iteration. | Enclosures, brackets, chassis, and structural components. |
Select the Right Material for Your Prototype
Explore our core material options for CNC machining, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication. Understanding these material properties helps you balance performance, cost, and lead time for your project. This guide simplifies your selection to match the best material with your prototyping goals. If you need any customized materials, please get in touch with us.
| Visual | Material Type & Key Properties | Common Grades & Standards | Typical Applications & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Aluminum (6061) The most widely used aluminum alloy. Good strength, machinability, weldability, and corrosion resistance. Excellent all-rounder. | 6061-T6 (Aerospace, automotive, general engineering) | Applications: Housings, brackets, frames, prototypes, automotive parts. Note: The primary choice for CNC machining and sheet metal, suitable for most prototypes and structural components. |
 | ABS Plastic Tough, impact-resistant, and good machinability. Can be easily glued, sanded, and painted after machining. | General Purpose ABS (Common for prototypes and enclosures) | Applications: Electronic enclosures, consumer product prototypes, jigs, fixtures, concept models. Note: A cost-effective engineering plastic, ideal for both aesthetic and functional prototypes. |
 | PLA / ABS (FDM 3D Printing) PLA is easy to print, rigid, with good detail. ABS is tougher and more heat resistant. Both are low-cost and fast. | 1.75mm Filament (Standard diameter for most desktop printers) | Applications: Concept models, form & fit testing, educational models, low-stress functional parts. Note: The most common 3D printing materials for rapid design validation and concept modeling. |
 | Standard Resin (SLA 3D Printing) Produces smooth, high-detail parts with a fine surface finish. Brittle compared to ABS but excellent for visual models. | Standard Gray/White Resin (Most common for high-detail prototyping) | Applications: Detailed visual prototypes, presentation models, small artistic pieces, dental molds. Note: Used for display prototypes that require an excellent surface finish and fine details. |
 | Cold Rolled Steel (SPCC) Low cost, high strength, good rigidity. Surface is smooth and ready for painting or plating. Will rust if untreated. | SPCC, Q235 (Most common for sheet metal fabrication) | Applications: Electrical cabinets, machine guards, brackets, chassis, industrial parts. Note: The most cost-effective sheet metal material for structural parts and enclosures. |
 | Stainless Steel 304 Good corrosion resistance, hygiene, and strength. More expensive than CRS but doesn't require coating to prevent rust. | 304, SUS304 (Food grade, general corrosion resistance) | Applications: Kitchen equipment, medical carts, outdoor enclosures, decorative trim. Note: The standard choice for applications requiring rust prevention or cleanability, common in food and medical projects. |
Gallery Of Rapid Prototyping Parts
Rapid Prototyping FAQ
MOST FREQUENT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSQ1: What is your fastest turnaround time for CNC prototypes?
A1: We guarantee 3-working-day delivery for standard aluminum CNC prototypes, with 24/7 emergency service for urgent component projects. Complex 5-axis machining typically requires 5-7 days, depending on part geometry.
Q2: Can you handle micro-tolerance prototypes below ±0.05mm?
A2: Yes. Our precision CNC prototyping achieves:
✓±0.005mmfor critical bearing surfaces
✓Ra 0.4μm mirror finishes via diamond turning
✓0.02° angular accuracy for optical components
Q3: What materials are available for metal prototyping?
A3: We stock 50+ alloys including:
•Stainless Steel 316L(medical compliant)
•Titanium Grade 5(aerospace-grade)
•Inconel 718(1600°F resistance)
•Aluminum 7075(high strength-to-weight)
.......
Q4: How do you ensure prototype accuracy?
A4: Our 3-stage verification includes:
→3D scanning vs CAD models (97% point cloud match)
→CMM inspection with 2μm repeatability
→Surface roughness testing per ISO 4288
Q5: Can prototypes be used for production tooling?
A5: Absolutely. Our bridge tooling service converts prototypes into:
✓Injection molds for 5,000-10,000 cycles
✓Die casting tools with conformal cooling
✓Stamping dies with HRC 58-62 hardness
Q6: What surface finishes do you offer?
A6: Choose from 15+ options:
•Medical: Electropolishing (Ra 0.2μm)
•Automotive: Hard-anodizing (60μm thickness)
•Consumer: UV-cured color coating
•Industrial: Bead blasting (Ra 1.6-3.2μm)
Q7: Do you provide DFM analysis for 3D printed parts?
A7: Yes. Our free DFM report includes:
✓ Wall thickness optimization
✓ Support structure simulation
✓ Material shrinkage compensation
✓ Cost-saving redesign suggestions
Q8: How to reduce prototyping costs?
A8: We recommend:
•Batch nesting(20-35% material savings)
•Standardized finishes(saves 15% post-processing)
•Off-peak machining(10% discount 22:00-6:00 CST)
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