Rapid Prototyping Services
3D printing, CNC, sheet metal, and vacuum casting — prototypes in 3 working days with free design-for-manufacturing review
Microns Hub's rapid prototyping service matches your prototype to the right manufacturing process — rather than forcing your part into a single technology. We run FDM, SLA, and SLS 3D printing; 3-, 4-, and 5-axis CNC milling and turning; sheet metal laser cutting, bending, and welding; and urethane vacuum casting for 10–50-part small batches. Prototypes ship in 3–5 working days with a free design-for-manufacturing review from an assigned mechanical engineer. One quote, multiple processes, coordinated delivery.
Capabilities
- Process-agnostic quoting — Upload a CAD file and we recommend the right prototyping route — 3D printing, CNC, sheet metal, vacuum casting — based on geometry, material, surface finish, and quantity.
- 3D printing (FDM, SLA, SLS) — Form-and-fit FDM prototypes in 5 days; aesthetic SLA details in 5 days; functional SLS nylon parts in 5 days.
- CNC prototype machining — Prototype CNC parts in 5 working days — functional mechanical prototypes in the actual production material, not a lookalike plastic.
- Sheet metal prototypes — Laser-cut, bent, welded prototypes in 3 working days — for enclosures, chassis, brackets.
- Urethane vacuum casting — 10–50 parts from a silicone tool, cast in production-like polyurethanes (ABS-like, PP-like, elastomers). 10 working days.
- Multi-process prototypes — Same assembly, multiple processes — 3D-printed housing + CNC-machined internal bracket + sheet-metal cover, all coordinated through one quote and shipped together.
- Free DFM review on every prototype — Assigned mechanical engineer reviews your design before production — catches undercuts, wall-thickness issues, tolerance stacks — within the working day.
- Iteration support — Most prototypes need 1–3 design iterations. We speed up iteration cycles with fast DFM feedback and parallel-process quoting for revised parts.
- Material substitution advice — If your prototype material is a PEEK or titanium that's long-lead or expensive, we'll recommend a representative substitute (POM for PEEK, 7075 for titanium) for concept validation.
- No minimum order — One-piece prototypes quoted and produced as readily as 50-piece small batches.
Tolerances & Specifications
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FDM prototype tolerance | ±0.3 mm or ±0.3% | Adequate for form-and-fit; not for precision fit-critical features |
| SLA prototype tolerance | ±0.1 mm + 0.1% per 100 mm | Fine detail; smoother surface than SLS or FDM |
| SLS prototype tolerance | ±0.3% (min ±0.3 mm) | Isotropic mechanical properties make SLS the top functional-prototype choice |
| CNC prototype tolerance | ISO 2768-m standard / ISO 2768-f tight | Best available precision — use when your prototype needs to validate fit-critical features |
| Sheet metal prototype tolerance | ±0.1 mm laser edge / ±1.0° bend | Production-grade accuracy from first prototype |
| Vacuum-cast prototype tolerance | ±0.3 mm first 100 mm + 0.15% per additional 100 mm | Dependent on master-pattern accuracy; good for pre-tooling validation |
How It Works
- Step 1: Upload CAD and tell us your target — STEP preferred. Tell us what matters: speed, cost, material fidelity, aesthetic finish, quantity. Your assigned engineer uses this to recommend the right prototyping route.
- Step 2: Engineer recommends the process — Within the working day: which process (or combination) gives you the best prototype at your target cost and timeline, with reasoning explained — not a generic automated suggestion.
- Step 3: Instant or engineered quote — Once process is chosen, most prototypes get an instant quote. Multi-process assemblies get an engineered quote within the working day.
- Step 4: DFM review and production — Full DFM review before production; flags any risk areas. Parts run in qualified EU partner shops on industrial-grade equipment.
- Step 5: Coordinated delivery — All pieces of a multi-process assembly ship together. Sheet metal in 3 days, 3D printing and CNC in 5 days, vacuum casting in 10 days — production is parallelized and delivery aligned.
Lead Times
| Tier | Quantity | Working Days |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal prototype | 1–5 pieces | 3 days production + 2–4 EU transit |
| 3D printing prototype (any tech) | 1–5 pieces | 5 days production + 2–4 EU transit |
| CNC prototype | 1–5 pieces | 5 days production + 2–4 EU transit |
| Vacuum-cast small batch | 10–50 pieces | 10 days (master pattern + tool + casting) + 2–4 EU transit |
| Multi-process assembly | 1–5 pieces | 5–10 days (longest critical path governs) + 2–4 EU transit |
Applications
- Functional engineering prototypes — Parts in production-representative materials for mechanical testing — CNC in the target metal, SLS in PA12 nylon for plastic end-use parts.
- Fit-and-form concept models — Quick FDM or SLA prints for design review, assembly validation, ergonomic studies. Typically 1–3 days of design iteration per cycle.
- 10–50 unit pilot runs via vacuum casting — Urethane vacuum casting from a SLA master pattern — for pilot production runs, beta tests, and small batches before injection tooling.
- Pre-tooling production validation — CNC prototypes in the exact resin (POM, ABS bar stock) before committing to injection tooling — verify fit and function with production material properties.
- Investor demos and presentation models — High-detail SLA or CNC-machined-and-polished parts for pitch decks, trade shows, and executive presentations.
- Jigs, fixtures, and assembly aids — Durable SLS PA12 jigs, CNC-machined aluminum fixtures, laser-cut steel guides — often alongside the product parts they fixture.
Why Microns Hub
- Process-agnostic recommendation, not vendor lock-in — We recommend the right prototyping process for your part even if it isn't the one we make the most margin on. Vacuum casting beats SLS at 20 pieces; CNC beats 3D printing for functional metal prototypes; we tell you which is right.
- Multi-process assemblies coordinated in one quote — Most product development prototypes need multiple processes. We coordinate sheet metal, CNC, 3D printing, and vacuum casting into one schedule and one delivery — rather than making you manage three vendors.
- 3-day sheet metal, 5-day everything else — Published and held lead times across every prototyping route — not 'as fast as' marketing copy. Your product development schedule can count on the numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which process should I use for my prototype?
It depends on what you are testing. Form and fit — use FDM or SLA, 5 days. Ergonomics and appearance — SLA, 5 days. Functional mechanical testing in production materials — CNC or SLS, 5 days. Small production-like batch before injection tooling — vacuum casting, 10 days. Sheet metal enclosures or chassis — laser cut and bent, 3 days. Upload your CAD and target and we will recommend the right route rather than default to the process with the highest margin.
How fast can I get a prototype?
Sheet metal prototypes in 3 working days. FDM, SLA, SLS, and CNC prototypes in 5 working days. Vacuum-cast small batches in 10 working days (includes master pattern and silicone tool). Pan-European transit is 2–4 working days on top. For multi-process prototypes (a sheet-metal enclosure with CNC-machined internal brackets and 3D-printed dust covers, for example), all parts ship together and the longest-critical-path process governs.
Can you make prototypes in the actual production material?
Yes — that's the main reason to choose CNC over 3D printing for a functional prototype. CNC machining works with every standard engineering metal and plastic, so you can validate fit and mechanical behavior in the exact production material. SLS PA12 is also a production-grade material suitable for end-use parts, not just prototypes. We will recommend CNC when the production material matters; SLS when an isotropic nylon is acceptable; 3D printing otherwise.
Do you offer DFM feedback before producing a prototype?
Yes, free with every prototype order. Your assigned mechanical engineer reviews your design and flags anything that will cause problems — undercuts that can't be machined, wall sections too thin to print reliably, bend reliefs missing from sheet metal parts, draft angles too shallow for vacuum casting. Feedback is returned within the working day; small geometry fixes are usually faster than waiting for a failed prototype.
What's the minimum order quantity for prototypes?
None across all our prototyping services. We quote single-piece FDM, SLA, SLS, and CNC prototypes as easily as 10-piece pilot batches. For vacuum casting, the economically sensible minimum is around 10 parts because the silicone tool investment gets amortized across the batch — below 10 pieces, SLS PA12 is usually cheaper and faster.
Can you do multiple prototyping processes on the same project?
Yes. A complete assembly prototype can combine sheet metal (enclosure), CNC machining (internal brackets), 3D printing (covers, bezels), and vacuum casting (elastomer gaskets) — all coordinated through a single quote and shipped together. This is the most common pattern for product-development teams validating a full assembly before committing to production tooling.
Do you support prototype iteration cycles?
Prototypes almost always need 1–3 design revisions. We support rapid iteration by returning DFM feedback within the working day, quoting revised CADs inside hours not days, and running iterative jobs in parallel where geometry allows. A typical iteration cycle — revise CAD, requote, DFM review, produce — runs in 5–8 working days end-to-end, enabling 2–3 complete cycles per month.
Related Services
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3D Printing
FDM, SLA, and SLS individually — when you already know which technology is right for your part.
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CNC Machining
For functional prototypes in the actual production metal or engineering plastic.
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Injection Molding
When you're ready to move from prototype iteration into production tooling.
MICRONS HUB DV Ε.Ε. · VAT: EL803129638 · GEMI: 190254227000 · Industrial Area, Street B, Number 4, 71601 Heraklion, Crete, Greece