Quality Rapid Prototyping Service
At Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc., we specialize in the production of high-quality, low-cost prototypes. With a range of technologies and services, we are the perfect one-stop-shop for all your rapid prototyping needs. When you’re ready, we also provide low-volume manufacturing of 100,000+ parts. Continue reading to learn more about the rapid prototyping process or send your 3D design file to our international team of engineers for a free quote.
What Is Rapid Prototyping?
Rapid prototyping involves specialized manufacturing techniques for making high-quality physical models of a 3D design idea. Prototypes are useful for design improvement, as stepping stones to full production or for engineering testing. They are meant to be quick and economical, without the need for the investment in hard tooling. Many of our clients need to produce a physical part quickly in order to validate a design or to capture a fleeting sales opportunity.
Advantages Of Making A Prototype
How can partnering with Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc. to quickly manufacture a prototype help you and your business? Here are just some of the ways:
- Show your customers and investors a physical model of your product
- Demonstrate the appearance, dimensions and features of your product
- Test the market with your product before production
- Save time and money by identifying and reducing design flaws
- Improve and streamline the production process
- Create multiple versions with different colors, surface textures and finishing processes
Smart Bat Prototype
Injection Molded Camera Prototype
Why Choose Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc.® for Rapid Prototyping?
Prototyping is one of the most important steps in a product’s journey from idea to shelf. To get it right, you need to partner with a manufacturer you can count on to make your designs come to life on a timetable that works for you. Here’s why our team at Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc. is an excellent choice.
✓ Industry-Leading Expertise with an International Presence
Form our upper management to our floor technicians and sales professionals, our team has centuries of combined experience in the manufacturing industry. We can handle rapid prototyping services for organizations worldwide.
✓ Cutting-Edge Equipment
To successfully create high-performing prototypes, our team uses some of the best equipment available today. We’ve also launched a new ERP system to optimize all aspects of operation.
✓ Intelligent Quotations for Every Project
To help you get the ideal rate for our rapid prototyping services, we never require a minimum order volume or minimum dollar value. Plus, we use state-of-the-art AI quotation algorithms to get you your quote quickly (24 hours or less for nearly all projects).
✓ Reliability and Rapid Completion Times
In rapid prototyping, time is of the essence—however, speed shouldn’t compromise quality. Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc. gives you the best of both. We have 2- to 48-hour response times on RFQ’s 95% of the time, as well as a 90%+ OTD (on-time delivery) against our commitments. To see what our clients think about their prototypes, check out the See Our Past Product section on this page.
✓ Investment in the Right Places
In addition to investing in new technologies, we also invest heavily in our people and process. These resources help ensure that our material verification and prototype testing processes are the best in the business. We’re also committed to furthering the knowledge and skills of our in-house team, requiring two hours of training per week for all personnel
Rapid Prototyping & Production Services Video
We are an internationally-recognized leader in offering specialized rapid prototyping and volume production solutions for a range of industries. No matter the volume or complexity, our team of manufacturing professionals is ready to support your product development goals.
See Our Past Products
Smart Bat Case Study
A new way to measure batter performance at the plate, the Smart Bat records stats and serves as a teaching device. Designed for kids, the Smart Bat is equipped with accelerometers that measure swing speed and position, plus an embedded wireless chip that allows each user to monitor performance, upload stats to the included mobile app, and collect prizes through school-uploaded incentive programs. Designer Nyasha Chawora partnered with Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc. to create a prototype that was both durable and high performing. Our rapid prototyping process included machining two separate halves from a solid block of ABS plastic, gluing them together, and then chrome-plating them to create the body of the bat. Read More.
Sous Vide Device Case Study
French for “without air,” sous-vide is a cooking method in which food is sealed in an airtight plastic bag and immersed in a hot circulating water bath for a long period of time. Seeking to bring sous-vide to home kitchens everywhere, San Francisco startup Nomiku designed a portable sous-vide device that circulates water and regulates temperature. When they approached Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc. to make a prototype for their Kickstarter campaign, we got to work making a lightweight solution that securely housed the hardware with a distinctly modern look. Completed in just 5 days, our rapid prototyping process included CNC machining and vacuum casting, as well as a final round of aqua-blasting for surface texture and hand painting for color. Read More.
Prototyping Services
CNC Machining
CNC machining is ideal for making high-quality rapid prototypes from plastic or metal without investing in expensive tooling. Your parts will achieve tighter tolerances with better surface finishes than with other prototyping methods. We can also machine all the features needed for a fully functional part, including tapped and threaded holes and precisely flat surfaces.
We have over 30 CNC mills, lathes and EDM machines in-house for all your CNC needs. We also have a multilingual support team to ensure your product development journey is smooth and worry free. Learn more about our CNC machining service.
Metal 3D Printing
Metal 3D printing is ideal for making complex shapes that combine light weight with high strength. You don’t need to invest in hard tooling and parts can be printed in hours rather than days or weeks.
We use a state-of-the-art Renishaw AM250 printer to create fully dense parts for ultimate performance. Just as importantly, we have expert technicians in-house who provide you with an unparalleled degree of engineering expertise to ensure you get the highest quality finished product. Find out more about our 3D metal printing service.
Vacuum Casting
Polyurethane vacuum casting molds create up to 30 high-fidelity copies from your original master pattern. Parts can be molded in a variety of resins, including engineering grade plastics, and even overmolded in multiple materials.
We are experts in making production quality cast copies from master patterns. Not only will you benefit from our exceptional attention to detail, but we also provide a full suite of finishing services to bring your part up to showroom quality. Learn more about what our vacuum casting service can do for you.
SLA
SLA is one of the earliest 3D printing or additive manufacturing processes for plastic. Not only are these techniques fast, but they allow you to produce complex internal features impossible to make with traditional manufacturing. We use SLA to make master patterns for vacuum casting molds.
SLA is ideal for making small volumes of finished parts or prototypes. If you need larger quantities, try one of our low volume manufacturing services.
CNC Precision Machining
Metal 3D Printed Part
Vacuum Casting
Moving From Prototyping To Production Video
When you’re ready to take your design from rapid prototyping to volume production, Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc. offers a range of solutions that are agile and easily scaled. Star has no minimum order volume restrictions, so our lean manufacturing services are an ideal solution for bringing new ideas to market on your schedule. Learn more about the benefits of low-volume manufacturing and how we can support your prototyping to production needs.
Get Your Prototyping Project Started Today
With a range of services to choose from and guaranteed quality thanks to our inspection services you can trust you will receive great prototypes every time. Contact us today for a free quote!
See Our Past Products
Swivl Platform Case Study
Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets are great learning tools. However, they’re not always easy to use hands-free. Designed to solve the propping-up problem and provide automated rotation for any viewer, the Swivl Platform from Swivl is an excellent accessory for any mobile device user. It also features a host of tools that enable video production secure streaming for Swivl platform users. Our rapid prototyping team worked with Swivl to create a space-efficient prototype that both performed and looked the part of a high-tech device. We started by CNC machining a “master pattern,” which we then used to create a vacuum-casted silicon mold. After hand-sanding, trimming, and painting, we discovered that the included remote control needed an additional screw hole. Read More.
Vingtor Stentofon Intercom Substation Case Study
Norway-based company Zenitel designs high-quality communication devices and network services for schools, industrial facilities, and maritime environments. Zenitel partnered with us to create prototypes of two IP intercom and public address sound systems in their new Turbine series. Our rapid prototyping process included CNC machining from steel for the main housing, aqua-blasting to remove imperfections and achieve the desired texture, anodizing for a protective coating, and laser-etching to mark the front cover. Though intended solely for acoustic and mechanical testing, both the Stentofon and Vingor prototypes exceeded Zenitel’s visual expectations, and the company used each prototype for promotional photography. Read More.
Rapid Prototyping: Further Reading
Introducing a new product to the market is a rewarding process, albeit one with complexities and stresses. Let us help it make it easier for you. As a premier provider of rapid prototyping services, Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc. manufactures products across a wide range of industries. This experience gives us invaluable insight into which choices help products make the jump from prototyping to final production, from choosing the right manufacturing process and material to certifying and testing. Read our blog to better understand which factors are driving cost and make your experience from prototyping to finished product smoother and more predictable. Read more…
As you roll out a new product, your business must be ready to scale its product output. Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc. was founded to help businesses like yours. Our rapid prototyping services can manufacture at any scale, with no order volume or order value minimums. We are committed to helping you throughout the entire product development journey, with several different manufacturing processes available depending on the product type, the development stage, and the volume of production. Click through to the article to learn more about our services and why businesses like yours choose Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc.’s rapid prototyping services. Read more…
Founded by James Dyson—the famed inventor of the cyclone vacuum cleaner and the airblade hand drier—the James Dyson Award challenges young inventors to engineer solutions for today’s most pressing problems. As one of the world’s premier providers of rapid prototyping services, our team at Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc. works with new inventions firsthand every day. We’re inventors ourselves, proudly holding several patents (with more on the way) in a number of prototyping processes. It’s fitting, then, that we’d take a keen interest in what today’s best young inventors are doing to make the world a better place. Read our short blog post to dive into the challenges posed and solutions offered in the 2018 James Dyson Award. Read more…
Making the leap from prototype to production is a crucial step, and one that should be carefully considered. Prototypes are excellent for testing your idea, improving the look and feel of a design, and gauging how potential consumers may feel about your finished product. The next step, making that finished product a reality, requires nuanced analysis and know-how. This is where many companies falter. Our experts at Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc. put together a list of factors and questions to consider when making the leap from prototype to production. We’ve provided rapid prototyping services for hundreds of companies in a wide range of industries. Using our expertise, we’ve helped facilitate successful transitions into final production for many of our clients. Read this guide to help your company find the same success. Read more…
Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc. Rapid Prototyping Service FAQ
What makes Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc.’s rapid prototyping services unique?
Our rapid prototyping services are distinguished by the wide range of complementary services we offer. These include metal 3D printing, CNC machining, vacuum casting, plastic injection molding, finishing and expert design assistance. This extensive range of services allows our team to handle every part of the prototyping process for our clients. To ensure structural integrity and functionality, we implement comprehensive material verification and testing measures.
We also have a team of International Sales Executives who can discuss your project with you in your time zone. Plus, getting a quote with us is easy. We use a state-of-the-art AI quotation algorithm for fast and accurate quote generation, and we don’t require a minimum order volume or minimum dollar value for our rapid prototyping services.
What are Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc.’s different surface finishes?
To help our clients get the ideal look and feel for their products, we offer a wide range of different surface finishes. Some of our most popular finishing services include anodizing, painting, color matching, pad printing, sanding and polishing, vapor polishing and blasting.
What are Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc.’s quality standards for its rapid prototyping service?
Our comprehensive quality-control process includes several steps to ensure excellent finished prototypes for our clients. First, we subject all materials to a comprehensive inspection to verify their integrity. Next, we perform a series of in-process inspections and tests to verify safety and functionality. All projects are completed with Certificates of Compliance, and we offer detailed video files showing all production steps for clients who can’t visit our facilities in person.
Can Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc. provide design services, industrial design support, or product development support as an extension of its rapid prototyping services?
Yes — we now offer an expanded service to help our customers with additional design-for-manufacturing support. Previously, this service was reserved for approved orders only, but we’ve extended it to incoming RFQs that haven’t been accepted yet. We also offer light assembly services.
Request Your Free Rapid Prototyping Quote Today
Our improved algorithm decreases rapid prototyping quotation times by up to 90%. Most quotes are delivered within 24 hrs. and usually much less, depending on project details.
Your customer support partner will contact you directly to ensure you’ve received and understand all aspects of your quotation and to answer any questions you may have.
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