CNC Prototyping – Aluminium Prototypes From 1 Piece in 3–5 Days
Rapid CNC prototypes machined from aluminium bar on 3-, 4- and 5-axis machines – then a clear path to forged production in the same factory.
- ±0.01 mm
- 99% first-pass yield
- ISO 9001:2015
- DFM feedback in 3 working days
✓ From 1 pc ✓ Samples in 3–5 days ✓ NDA on request
Prototype options at a glance
Functional prototypes
Real aluminium parts for fit, assembly and load testing
Low-volume batches
Pure CNC from 1 pc – no tooling needed
Pre-production samples
Machined to the production drawing, ±0.01 mm
Forged samples
When the design is frozen: tooling 20–25 days, samples ~30 days
Rapid CNC prototype vs forged production
| CNC prototype | Forged blank + CNC | |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | From 1 pc | MOQ 1,000–5,000 |
| Lead time | Samples 3–5 days | Tooling 20–25 days, samples ~30 days |
| Tooling | None | Forging die (you get the right to use it) |
| Best for | Testing, design changes | Stable designs at volume |
| Unit cost at volume | Stays roughly flat | Lower once tooling is spread over volume |
→ Full cost comparison: CNC Machining Cost · Forged vs Billet
Machines and limits
| Item | Capability |
|---|---|
| Milling | 3-, 4- and 5-axis |
| Turning | CNC turning, mill-turn (turn-mill compound) |
| Other | Special drilling |
| Part size | Up to 500 mm |
| Tolerance | ±0.01 mm |
| Finish | Anodising available – Surface treatment |
Prototype materials
- 6061 aluminium – all-round structural prototypes
- 7075 aluminium – high-load prototypes
- 6063 and 6082 aluminium – also available on request
→ More on aluminium: Aluminium CNC Machining
From prototype to production in 4 steps
- Upload drawing – DFM feedback in 3 working days (full DFM report available)
- CNC prototype – samples in 3–5 days
- Test and freeze design
- Scale up – stay on CNC or switch to forged blanks + CNC
Prototypes we already make parts for
Bicycle components · Motorcycle CNC parts · Robotic arm components · Inline skate frames
What ships with your samples
- Material certificate (mill cert)
- Finished-part inspection report
- NDA on request
Send one drawing
STEP, STP, DWG, DXF or PDF. NDA on request. DFM feedback in 3 working days.
FAQ
What is CNC prototyping?
CNC prototyping is machining a prototype directly from a solid block or bar on CNC machines, using the production drawing. No tooling is needed, so a working part can be made quickly.
How fast can you make CNC prototypes?
Pure CNC samples take 3–5 days after the drawing is confirmed.
What is the minimum order for CNC prototypes?
Pure CNC starts from 1 piece.
What machines do you use for prototype machining?
3-, 4- and 5-axis CNC milling, CNC turning, mill-turn (turn-mill compound) and special drilling, for parts up to 500 mm.
What tolerance can a CNC prototype hold?
We machine to ±0.01 mm on features where the drawing requires it.
Is CNC machining good for rapid prototyping?
Yes, for metal functional prototypes. CNC parts are made from the real alloy, so they can be used for fit, assembly and load testing.
Which aluminium alloys can you prototype in?
6061 and 7075 are the most common; send your drawing and specified alloy for confirmation.
Can the prototype be anodised?
Yes. Anodising is available for prototypes and production parts.
How do I go from prototype to production?
Once the design is frozen you can stay on CNC or move to forged blanks plus CNC. Forging tooling takes 20–25 days and forged samples about 30 days, with an MOQ of 1,000–5,000.
Do you sign an NDA for prototype drawings?
Yes. An NDA is available on request before you send drawings.