Rapid Prototyping Service

Prototype fast, validate early. We combine 3D printing, CNC prototyping and rapid tooling so you can hold functional parts in your hands within days — find design issues before production tooling, not after.

3D Printing

Quick geometry and fit-check models printed from CAD — ideal for early design reviews.

Fastest turnaround
Low cost per iteration
Complex geometry freedom
Fit & form validation

CNC Prototyping

Functional prototypes machined from production materials — same mechanical properties as final parts.

Production-grade materials
Real tolerances
Threads & features tested
Small batches supported

Rapid Tooling

Quick-to-build molds for pre-production parts — real molded parts before production tooling is committed.

Real molded material
Short tooling lead time
Sample quantities for testing
Lower initial investment

3D Printing, CNC Prototyping or Rapid Injection Molding?

Pick by quantity, material, accuracy and lead time. Table from First Mold's prototyping comparison. Source: First Mold rapid-prototyping page, https://firstmold.com/rapid-prototyping-service/

3D Printing1–5 pcs, ±0.1–0.2 mm, 1–3 days — fastest, complex geometry, limited materials and strength

CNC Prototyping1–20 pcs, ±0.01–0.05 mm, 3–7 days — real materials, real strength, functional testing

Rapid Tooling + Rapid IM100–1000 pcs, ±0.1–0.3 mm, 7–15 days — production resins, pilot runs and market testing

Vacuum Casting10–50 pcs, ±0.15–0.3 mm, 5–10 days — low-cost small batches, PU simulates ABS/PP/rubber

Recommended useVisual validation & fit tests → functional tests → pilot production

Our guarantee3–7 day standard turnaround, tolerances to ±0.02 mm on tight programs

Surface finishingPolishing and chemical smoothing available on all routes — roughness cut by 80%+ on printed parts

IP protectionStrict NDA signed before file upload on every route — zero IP-dispute record

Prototype Material Library

Over 100 materials worked across a decade of prototyping programs — metals, engineering plastics, elastomers and castable resins. Source: First Mold rapid-prototyping page, https://firstmold.com/rapid-prototyping-service/

Aluminum 6061Stainless Steel 316LBrass C360Titanium Grade 5Copper C110Steel 1018ABSPEEKNylon 6/6PTFE (Teflon)PC (Polycarbonate)POM (Acetal)Silicone RubberNBR (Nitrile)EPDM RubberPU (Polyurethane)Epoxy ResinUrethane ResinPhotosensitive Resin (SLA)Nylon PA12 (SLS)

What Accuracy Can Each Prototype Process Hold?

Accuracy, typical quantity and lead time per process. Source: First Mold rapid-prototyping page, https://firstmold.com/rapid-prototyping-service/

Process	Accuracy (±mm)	Typical Quantity	Lead Time	Best For
3D Printing (SLA / SLS / FDM)	0.1 – 0.2	1 – 5 pcs	1 – 3 days	Concept models, visual validation, fit tests
CNC Machining	0.01 – 0.05	1 – 20 pcs	3 – 7 days	Functional testing, metal parts, tight tolerances
Rapid Tooling + Rapid IM	0.1 – 0.3	100 – 1000 pcs	7 – 15 days	Pilot production, market testing, real materials
Vacuum Casting	0.15 – 0.3	10 – 50 pcs	5 – 10 days	Small appearance batches, exhibition samples

How We Turn CAD Into Prototypes Fast

Prototype in hours, not weeks — with proactive DFM and data-backed quality. Source: First Mold rapid-prototyping page, https://firstmold.com/rapid-prototyping-service/

Upload & DFM Review

Our engineers review your CAD and return actionable DFM feedback — thin walls, unmachinable undercuts and risky features flagged before production.

Process Selection

We match process to your goals: 3D printing for speed, CNC for real materials, rapid tooling for molded pilot parts — quoted within one day.

Production

Parts run in-house across 3D-printing room, CNC workshop, mold shop and vacuum-casting room — no outsourcing delays.

QC & Delivery

CMM checks, first-article inspection and surface review before fast global delivery — then a smooth handover to small-batch production.

Lead Time and Cost: Prototyping Economics

Each process prices differently — here is how we quote. Source: First Mold rapid-prototyping page, https://firstmold.com/rapid-prototyping-service/

CNC & vacuum casting pricingBased on part size, machining time and material waste

Rapid tooling pricingBased on part size, tool structure, estimated tool life (shots) and material

3D printing pricingBased on part volume, support structures and machine type (industrial SLA, SLS, FDM)

Quote turnaroundManual quotes within one day for any process

First usable parts3D printing in 1–3 days; CNC in 3–7 days; rapid-tooling batch in 3–5 weeks

Cost optimizationDFM review typically cuts prototype-to-production cost by 10–30%

CertificationsISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016 and IATF 16949:2016 quality systems across all routes

From prototype to productionSame team, same files, no new vendor — prototyping flows into low-volume and mass production

Rapid Prototyping for Every Industry

Top industries served over the past decade: automotive, consumer electronics, medical, aerospace, industrial equipment and more. Source: First Mold rapid-prototyping page, https://firstmold.com/rapid-prototyping-service/

Automotive

Functional parts before road testing — aluminum 3D-printed turbocharger intake pipes, rapid-injection-molded air vents and door panel clips.

Aerospace

5-axis CNC metal parts and printed test samples for cabin components and structural validation.

Consumer Electronics

Enclosure fit checks, button feel validation and thermal prototypes before tooling commitment.

Medical Devices

Biocompatible material prototypes for instruments and device housings, validated under ISO 13485.

Industrial Tools & Equipment

CNC-machined and printed tooling fixtures, mechanical frames and equipment housings to verify structure and function.

Cultural & Creative Products

Exhibition models, design iterations and low-run creative products with fine detail reproduction.

FAQ: Rapid Prototyping

Everything buyers ask before their first prototype order. Source: First Mold rapid-prototyping page, https://firstmold.com/rapid-prototyping-service/

✓How fast can I get a quote? For any process, manual quotes usually take one day after receiving your 3D file.
✓What tolerances can prototypes hold? CNC prototypes hold ±0.01–0.05 mm; 3D printing ±0.1–0.2 mm; rapid molding ±0.1–0.3 mm. Tight programs reach ±0.02 mm.
✓Do you sign NDAs? Yes — strict NDA and IP protection before any file is uploaded; zero IP-dispute record.
✓Which process should I pick? Under 5 pcs and fast: 3D printing. 1–20 pcs with real materials: CNC. 100–1000 molded parts: rapid tooling + injection molding.
✓Can prototypes transition to production with you? Yes — we master every mainstream process, so prototyping flows into small-batch and full-scale production without a new vendor.
✓What certifications do you hold? ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016 and IATF 16949:2016 for rapid prototyping services.
✓What finishes are available on prototypes? Polishing, chemical smoothing (surface roughness cut by 80%+), sandblasting, brushed finish, anodizing and spray painting.
✓Do you review my design before making it? Yes — proactive DFM feedback flags thin walls, undercuts and other risks before production begins.
✓Q: How fast can a rapid prototype ship? A: Standard lead time is 3-7 business days for CNC or 3D-printed prototypes, and 7-12 days for aluminum rapid tooling prototypes, depending on geometry and finish requirements.

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