Rapid Metal Prototyping Service
We guarantee consistent quality for prototypes and end-use parts, in house and through our verified manufacturing partners.
- 100+ metals & plastics, 50+ surface finishes
- Instant quotes for 1-1,000 parts
- Lead times from 3 business days
Rapid Metal Prototyping Capabilities
CNC machining Metal prototype
CNC metal machining including milling, turning, and other manufacturing processes, make it easy to get the custom metal prototypes you need. Through the process of removing metal material, the CNC machine cut the desired shape, size, and surface finish to meet the specifications of product designs and engineering drawings.
3D Printing Metal Prototype
Metal 3D printing can create metal prototypes using a high-powered laser to fuse metal powder particles into solid structures with additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, such as selective laser melting (SLM) and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS).
Sheet metal Prototype
A sheet metal prototype is a physical example that allows designers to test the function and form of a part prior to mass production. Sheet metal can be used to make both functional and non-functional prototypes with precise fabrication technologies such as laser cutting, wire EDM, bending, welding,
What is Rapid Metal Prototyping?
Rapid Metal Prototyping is a solution for creating Metal prototypes using a metal manufacturing technique like CNC machining, 3D printing or sheet metal forming. While these prototypes can be made from many different metal materials, aluminum, carbon steel, sheet metal, brass, copper, and bronze are the most widely used.
Metal prototyping Specification
| Capabilities | CNC metal machining | Metal 3D Printing | Sheet metal Fabrication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum build size | 500×500×500 mm | 300 X 300X 300 mm | 600 X 900X1000mm |
| Dimensional accuracy | Min±0.05mm | Min±0.3mm | Min±0.1mm |
| Min feature thickness | 1mm | 2mm | 0.5mm |
| Standard lead time | 3 to 7 days | 1 to 3 days | 3 to 7days |
| Cost (One PCS) | $$ | $ | $$$ |
Metal Prototyping Materials
Surface finishing for metal Prototypes
| Surface finishing | Description | Color | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powder Coating | Using corona discharge, make the powder coating adsorbed to the part, creating a more wear-resistant layer with a typical thickness. | Custom | Glossy |
| Bead Blasting | Bead blasting results in parts with a smooth surface with a matte texture. Used mainly for visual applications. | n/a | Matte |
| Anodizing | anodizing process resists corrosion and wear. It’s also an ideal surface treatment for painting and priming | black, grey, red, blue, gold | Smooth, matte finish |
| Electroplating | Electroplated coating preserves the surface of parts and resists rusts and other defects from causing decay. | Gold, silver, nickel, copper, brass | Smooth, glossy |
| Polishing | Ranging from Ra 0.8~Ra0.1, polishing processes use an abrasive material to rub the part’s surface to make the shine more less shiny. | n/a | Smooth, glossy |
Surface Finishing
Gallery of Rapid Metal Prototyping
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