Rapid Prototyping (1-10 pieces)
Design validation and prototype engineering for 1 to 10 pieces. CNC, sheet metal and 3D printing routed by lead time, finish and function. Most prototypes ship in five working days.
1 to 10 pieces
Five working days typical
Same inspection as production
What Rapid Prototyping Does
The cheapest way to put the real geometry in front of real engineers and real users.
Rapid prototyping covers designs in their pre-launch state: parts that are still being checked for fit, function, ergonomics and presentation. The geometry is real, the material is real, and the tolerances are tight enough to make feasibility decisions on.
When to use it
Specify rapid prototyping for industrial design reviews, trade-show units, design freeze sign-off, mechanical fit checks, functional testing, ergonomic studies and certification of performance. Skip it when the design is finalised, the volume is locked, and the tooling can be amortised over the production run.
Routes Used
The right route depends on the function you need to test.
CNC Machining
Stock plastics and metals in plate, bar and billet. 0.05 mm practical tolerance and the closest match to the production material.
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Laser cutting, bending, finishing and hardware insertion in five days or less. The correct route for enclosures, brackets and panels.
3D Printing
SLA, MJF and SLS for cosmetic prototypes, light-duty functional parts and complex internal geometry.
How It Is Priced
Prototype costs are dominated by set-up, not piece count. Single quantities often cost only 50 to 70 percent of the highest-volume unit price.
Set-up
Programming, tooling and fixtures for the first piece.
Material
Stock, inserts and finishing material.
Inspection
CMM and surface profile on functional prototypes.
Logistics
Optional express courier and export documentation.
Design Rules That Save Lead Time
- Specify stock-standard geometries wherever the function allows a +0.05 mm tolerance envelope.
- Provide a single preferred orientation to avoid fixturing rework.
- Avoid features thinner than 0.5 mm in plastics or 0.8 mm in metals at the prototype stage.
- Indicate which surfaces are cosmetic so that the proposed finish matches the requirement.
- Send native CAD (STEP or neutral Parasolid) so the quoting can start the same day.
What You Get Back
- Material certificates to EN 10204 3.1 on every heat.
- Inspection reports on critical dimensions to the agreed drawing tolerances.
- Optional pre-assembly and packaging for end-of-line testing.
Need 1-10 piece prototypes in days?
Upload your CAD and quantity; we send back a fixed quote with lead time and finishing options inside one working day.