The right sample for the right decision.
Not every prototype serves the same purpose.
A Sample That Gives You False Confidence Is Worse Than No Sample.
Most prototype failures aren’t manufacturing failures. They’re matching failures — the wrong process used for the wrong validation test.
A 3D-printed part put through a drop test gives you data that has nothing to do with how your injection-molded production part will perform. That’s not a prototype. That’s a decision made on false information.
We run three distinct prototyping processes — each matched to a specific validation objective. Before we quote, we ask what you need to prove. Because the answer determines which process you actually need.
3D Printing (SLA / SLS)
For Appearance, Ergonomics & Fit Checks — 1 to 2 Days
High-precision SLA/SLS printing converts your 3D file into a physical part fast. Use it to confirm grip feel, overall form, and basic assembly interference, before committing to harder tooling decisions.
⚠️ Expert Warning
ABS-like simulation resins do not share the molecular structure or tensile strength of real engineering plastics.
Do not use 3D-printed parts for drop testing, thermal validation, or regulatory certification. The data will be false — and decisions made on false data are expensive to reverse.
CNC Sampling
- For Mechanical & Structural Testing — 1 to 3 Days
- We machine directly from production-grade material stock — POM, PEEK, PC, AL6061 — giving you a part with 100% real mechanical strength and dimensional accuracy.
- Use this for gear mesh verification, dynamic interference testing, and structural load validation where material properties are the variable being tested.
Note: CNC-machined samples are solid-cut and will not exhibit injection molding behavior — no weld lines, no flow marks, no shrinkage from cooling. For flow-dependent validation, use Rapid Tooling instead.
Rapid Tooling
- For DV/PV Validation & Bridge Production — T0 Sample in 7 to 14 Days
- This is the last checkpoint before full production tooling.
- Using our in-house MUD system with aluminum or P20 pre-hardened steel inserts, we machine only the cavity and core — then run it directly on our production machines with your exact production-grade resin.
- The parts you receive have real shrinkage, real weld lines, and real flow behavior. You can submit them for UL certification, IP67 water ingress testing, and destructive drop validation with full confidence the results reflect your production part.
- When validation passes, the process parameters we develop during Rapid Tooling transfer directly to your production mold — no re-tuning, no surprises at T0.
Choosing the Right Process
| 3D Printing | CNC Sampling | Rapid Tooling | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead Time | 1–2 days | 1–3 days | 7–14 days |
| Material | Simulation resin | Production-grade stock | Production-grade resin |
| Best For | Appearance, ergonomics, fit | Mechanical & structural testing | DV/PV validation, certification |
| Regulatory Testing | ❌ Not suitable | ✅ Material properties only | ✅ Full certification |
| Reflects Production Behavior | ❌ | Partial | ✅ |