Are you looking to bring your metal prototypes to life? Choosing the right factory can make all the difference. By comparing the top metal prototyping services, you’ll discover options that ensure quality and efficiency. Dive in to find the best fit for your project and elevate your production game!
Protolabs | Rapid Prototyping & On-demand Production Services
Product Details: Protolabs offers rapid prototyping and on-demand production services including injection molding, CNC machining, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication.
Technical Parameters:
– Low-volume molding up to 100,000+ parts with volume pricing available
– Machined parts in as fast as 1 day with tolerances down to ±0.001 in.
Application Scenarios:
– Rapid prototyping for product development
– Production of custom parts for various industries including medical, aerospace,…
Pros:
– Fast turnaround times for prototypes and production parts
– Wide range of materials and manufacturing processes available
Cons:
– Potentially higher costs for low-volume production compared to traditional metho…
– Limited to specific manufacturing capabilities and materials
Online Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication Service – Protolabs
Product Details: Online custom sheet metal fabrication service offering components and assemblies in as fast as 1 day.
Technical Parameters:
– Material thicknesses: ≤0.125 in. (≤3.175mm) for basic capabilities; 0.024 in. -…
– Certifications: ISO 9001:2015, ITAR
Application Scenarios:
– Electrical enclosures
– Parts for computer electronics
Pros:
– Fast and simple online quoting with an average one-day upload-to-quote lead time…
– Reliable delivery with quality parts delivered within a five-day standard lead t…
Cons:
– Limited to specific material thicknesses for basic capabilities.
– Potential additional lead time for complex features and finishing options.
Metal 3D Printing Service for Custom Parts | Online Quoting – Protolabs
Product Details: Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is an industrial metal 3D printing process that builds fully functional metal prototypes and production parts in 7 days or less.
Technical Parameters:
– Available metals: Stainless Steel (17-4 PH, 316L), Aluminum (AlSi10Mg), Inconel…
– Resolution: 20 μm (high resolution), 30, 40, and 60 μm (normal resolution)
Application Scenarios:
– Prototyping in production-grade materials
– Complex geometries and functional end-use parts
Pros:
– High strength and corrosion resistance
– Ability to produce complex geometries and reduce components in an assembly
Cons:
– Limited material options compared to traditional manufacturing
– Potentially higher costs for small production runs
Sheet Metal Prototype Services at Prototek – Prototek Digital Manufacturing
Product Details: Sheet metal prototyping services including bending, forming, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, welding, and assembly.
Technical Parameters:
– Max Dimensions: 61 x 99 x 11.8 in
– Lead Time: 1 – 15 Days
Application Scenarios:
– Household appliances
– Construction materials
Pros:
– Rapid turnaround and high-quality parts
– Cost-effective and versatile materials
Cons:
– Limited design flexibility
– Requires specialized equipment
Online Rapid Prototyping Service – Metal and Plastic Prototypes – Xometry
Product Details: Rapid prototyping service utilizing various manufacturing technologies including 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection molding for quick production of prototypes.
Technical Parameters:
– 3D printing cost: $5-50 per prototype
– Lead time: 1-3 business days for 3D printing, 2-3 weeks for injection molding
Application Scenarios:
– Testing and evaluation of product designs
– Rapid production of medical devices and components
Pros:
– Fast turnaround time for prototypes
– Cost-effective production of multiple designs
Cons:
– Longer lead times for CNC machining compared to 3D printing
– Potential limitations in material properties for certain processes
Prototek Digital Manufacturing | Prototek
Product Details: Prototek offers a range of digital manufacturing services including 3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, casting, and molding.
Technical Parameters:
– AS9100D Certified
– ISO 9001:2015
Application Scenarios:
– Aerospace and Defense manufacturing
– Automotive component manufacturing
Pros:
– High-quality rapid prototyping
– Fast turnaround times
Cons:
– Not all locations have required certifications
– Potentially higher costs for custom solutions
Rapid Prototyping Services | HLH Prototype Manufacturing
Product Details: HLH Prototypes offers rapid prototyping services including CNC machining, 3D printing, and rapid injection molding.
Technical Parameters:
– Low-volume manufacturing starting from 1 prototype up to 100,000 parts.
– High-quality materials including plastics, metals, and composites.
Application Scenarios:
– Product development for various industries including automotive, aerospace, and…
– Rapid prototyping for design validation and testing.
Pros:
– Fast turnaround times for prototypes and production parts.
– Wide range of manufacturing processes available.
Cons:
– Potentially high costs for low-volume production.
– Quality may vary depending on the chosen manufacturing process.
3D Printing | Rapid Prototyping Service | HLH Proto Ltd
Product Details: Online rapid prototyping services including 3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, vacuum casting, and injection molding.
Technical Parameters:
– 3D printing technologies: SLA, SLS, MJF, DMLS
– CNC machining tolerances as tight as 0.002
Application Scenarios:
– Short production runs and prototyping
– Production quality parts without the cost of tooling
Pros:
– Fast turnaround times
– Wide range of materials and processes available
Cons:
– Limited to low/mid volume production for some services
– Potentially higher costs for rapid prototyping compared to traditional methods
Where Big Ideas Are Built | Production Parts and Prototypes | Xometry
Product Details: Xometry offers a digital manufacturing marketplace for custom parts, providing instant pricing, lead times, and design-for-manufacturing feedback.
Technical Parameters:
– Supports over 70 materials across 20+ manufacturing processes
– ITAR Registered and certified with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, AS9100D, and I…
Application Scenarios:
– Prototyping and production parts for aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, an…
– Collaboration on manufacturing projects through Teamspace
Pros:
– Instant quoting and feedback
– Access to a massive network of over 10,000 manufacturers
Cons:
– Potentially high costs for low volume manufacturing
– Limited information on specific material properties
Rapid Prototyping Service | Online Quotes | Metals and Plastics – Protolabs
Product Details: Rapid Prototyping Service with 3D Printing, CNC Machining, Injection Molding, and Sheet Metal Fabrication.
Technical Parameters:
– 1 day lead times available for all services
– Affordable aluminum molds starting at $1,500
Application Scenarios:
– Design feedback and validation during early product development
– Market testing with pilot runs of injection-molded parts
Pros:
– Unmatched manufacturing speed and capabilities
– Wide range of material options and post-processing services
Cons:
– Potentially higher costs for small production runs
– Limited to specific manufacturing processes
Related Video
Comparison Table
| Company | Product Details | Pros | Cons | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protolabs | Rapid Prototyping & On-demand Production Services | Protolabs offers rapid prototyping and on-demand production services including injection molding, CNC machining, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabricat… | – Fast turnaround times for prototypes and production parts – Wide range of materials and manufacturing processes available | – Potentially higher costs for low-volume production compared to traditional metho… – Limited to specific manufacturing capabilities and materials |
| Online Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication Service – Protolabs | Online custom sheet metal fabrication service offering components and assemblies in as fast as 1 day. | – Fast and simple online quoting with an average one-day upload-to-quote lead time… – Reliable delivery with quality parts delivered within a five-d… | – Limited to specific material thicknesses for basic capabilities. – Potential additional lead time for complex features and finishing options. | www.protolabs.com |
| Metal 3D Printing Service for Custom Parts | Online Quoting – Protolabs | Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is an industrial metal 3D printing process that builds fully functional metal prototypes and production parts in 7… | – High strength and corrosion resistance – Ability to produce complex geometries and reduce components in an assembly | – Limited material options compared to traditional manufacturing – Potentially higher costs for small production runs |
| Sheet Metal Prototype Services at Prototek – Prototek Digital Manufacturing | Sheet metal prototyping services including bending, forming, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, welding, and assembly. | – Rapid turnaround and high-quality parts – Cost-effective and versatile materials | – Limited design flexibility – Requires specialized equipment | prototek.com |
| Online Rapid Prototyping Service – Metal and Plastic Prototypes – Xometry | Rapid prototyping service utilizing various manufacturing technologies including 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection molding for quick productio… | – Fast turnaround time for prototypes – Cost-effective production of multiple designs | – Longer lead times for CNC machining compared to 3D printing – Potential limitations in material properties for certain processes | www.xometry.com |
| Prototek Digital Manufacturing | Prototek | Prototek offers a range of digital manufacturing services including 3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, casting, and molding. | – High-quality rapid prototyping – Fast turnaround times | – Not all locations have required certifications – Potentially higher costs for custom solutions |
| Rapid Prototyping Services | HLH Prototype Manufacturing | HLH Prototypes offers rapid prototyping services including CNC machining, 3D printing, and rapid injection molding. | – Fast turnaround times for prototypes and production parts. – Wide range of manufacturing processes available. | – Potentially high costs for low-volume production. – Quality may vary depending on the chosen manufacturing process. |
| 3D Printing | Rapid Prototyping Service | HLH Proto Ltd | Online rapid prototyping services including 3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, vacuum casting, and injection molding. | – Fast turnaround times – Wide range of materials and processes available |
| Where Big Ideas Are Built | Production Parts and Prototypes | Xometry | Xometry offers a digital manufacturing marketplace for custom parts, providing instant pricing, lead times, and design-for-manufacturing feedback. | – Instant quoting and feedback – Access to a massive network of over 10,000 manufacturers |
| Rapid Prototyping Service | Online Quotes | Metals and Plastics – Protolabs | Rapid Prototyping Service with 3D Printing, CNC Machining, Injection Molding, and Sheet Metal Fabrication. | – Unmatched manufacturing speed and capabilities – Wide range of material options and post-processing services |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are metal prototyping services?
Metal prototyping services involve creating physical models or parts from metal materials to test designs, functionality, and manufacturability. These services help you visualize and refine your product before full-scale production.
Why should I use metal prototyping?
Using metal prototyping allows you to identify design flaws, improve functionality, and reduce production costs. It enables you to test your ideas quickly and make necessary adjustments, ensuring a better final product.
What materials are commonly used in metal prototyping?
Common materials include aluminum, stainless steel, brass, and titanium. Each material has unique properties, so the choice depends on your project’s specific requirements, such as strength, weight, and corrosion resistance.
How long does the metal prototyping process take?
The timeline for metal prototyping varies based on complexity and quantity. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Discussing your project with the service provider can give you a more accurate estimate.
What industries benefit from metal prototyping services?
Many industries benefit from metal prototyping, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer products. If you’re developing a product that requires precision and durability, metal prototyping can be a valuable step in your process.