cnc prototyping
CNC Prototyping — Rapid Prototype Machining from 1 Piece
Cnc prototyping for custom and non-standard parts, machined from your drawings at our factory in China. Send a drawing and we return DFM feedback with a quote.
Upload your drawing (STEP, IGES, DWG, DXF, PDF) — we return DFM feedback and a quote within 24 hours.
- Tolerance
- ±0.01 mm
- MOQ
- From 50 pcs
- Sample
- 5–10 days
- Production
- 25–35 days
- Materials
- Aluminium · stainless · steel · brass · titanium
CNC Prototyping — What We Machine
Cnc prototyping turns your drawing into a small run of machined parts fast, starting from a single piece. We machine prototypes at our factory in Qidong City, Jiangsu Province, in the Binhai Industrial Park on Nanhai Road, and we return DFM feedback with a quote within 24 hours. Prototype samples ship in 5–10 days, and precision features are held to ±0.01 mm.
Typical work includes:
- Functional prototypes in production materials
- Pre-production runs for fit and function testing
- Bridge quantities between a first sample and full production
Prototype cnc machining services use the same machines and metals as production, so what you test is close to what you will ship. That makes cnc machining prototyping a practical step before committing to a 50-piece production run, and our prototype and short run services bridge the gap between a first sample and full volume. A prototype also locks the process before you scale: the same drawing, material and finishing carry straight into production, so there are no surprises when quantities go up, and we quote the prototype and the production run from the same file.
Materials and Finishes
Prototypes are machined in aluminium in 6061 and 7075, stainless steel in 303, 304 and 316L, carbon and alloy steel in 1045, 1215 and 4140, plus brass, copper and titanium. Grade detail is on our aluminum parts, stainless steel parts, steel parts, brass and copper parts and titanium parts pages.
Surface finishes run through our vetted partner network, managed under one quality process. Common options include anodizing, passivation, zinc plating and polishing and brushing, with the full list on our surface finishes page.
Size, Tolerance and Capacity Limits
Prototype part size is evaluated per drawing. General tolerances follow ISO 2768-m unless stated on the drawing, and precision features are held to ±0.01 mm. Prototype runs start at one piece; when you move to production, quantities start at 50 pieces per style and material. Monthly capacity is over 100,000 parts.
Documents That Ship With Every Order
Every prototype ships with a material certificate (MTR) and pre-shipment photos of your actual parts. That is the complete document set — nothing hidden and no extra paperwork you did not request. DFM feedback arrives before you commit, so drawing issues are caught early.
Industries We Support
Prototype machining feeds product development across several industries. We support automotive, medical, aerospace, electronics and hydraulic and pneumatic programs. Send your drawing and we will confirm fit before you order.
Design Guidelines for Cost and Manufacturability
Even on a prototype, a few choices cut cost and rework later. Avoid sharp internal corners where a corner radius lets a standard cutter pass, keep wall thickness above the practical minimum, and specify thread depth only as deep as the assembly needs. Our DFM guide covers these points, and our drawing requirements page lists what to include for an accurate first quote.
If your part is stamped rather than machined, see our metal stamping page for prototype stamping and prototype metal stamping.
Frequently asked questions
What is cnc prototyping?
Cnc prototyping machines a small run of parts directly from your drawing, in production materials, so you can test fit and function before committing to volume. We machine prototypes from a single piece and return DFM feedback with a quote within 24 hours.
Can you machine a prototype from a single piece?
Yes. Prototype runs start at one piece, so you can validate a design without paying for a full batch. When you move to production, quantities start at 50 pieces per style and material.
How fast can I get a prototype?
Prototype samples ship in 5–10 days after drawing approval. We confirm the exact date in the quote based on geometry, material and any finishing you need.
Do your prototype machining services use production materials?
Yes. Prototypes are machined in the same metals we use for production — aluminium, stainless steel, carbon and alloy steel, brass, copper and titanium — so what you test behaves like what you will ship.
What is your MOQ for prototyping versus production?
Prototyping starts at one piece. Production starts at 50 pieces per style and material. That split lets you prove the design cheaply first, then scale only after you approve it.
What tolerances do prototypes hold?
General tolerances follow ISO 2768-m unless stated on the drawing, and precision features are held to ±0.01 mm, the same standard we use in production.
Do you offer prototype and short run services after the prototype?
Yes. Prototype and short run services bridge the gap between a first sample and full production, so you can run small batches for field trials or early orders before scaling.
Do you also do prototype metal stamping?
This page covers cnc prototyping for machined parts. If your part is stamped rather than machined, see our metal stamping page for prototype metal stamping. We point you to the right process based on your drawing.
What documents ship with prototypes?
Prototypes ship with a material certificate (MTR) and pre-shipment photos of your actual parts, the same document set we send on production orders.
How do I get a prototype quote?
Upload a STEP, IGES, DWG, DXF or PDF drawing through the quote form or message us on WhatsApp at +86 177 2151 9382. We return DFM feedback and a quote within 24 hours.
Send your drawing — quote in 24 hours
DFM feedback, material certificates and pre-shipment photos come with every order.