Dexin operates a large number of CNC machining centers, mills, and lathes (for CNC turning), enabling rapid prototyping of CNC machined parts made from plastic or metal. We offer a wide range of material and finishing options and the potential to combine CNC machining with other rapid prototyping processes.

CNC machining is one of the most high-precision rapid prototyping technologies available. Although rapid CNC machining prioritizes short turnarounds over ultra-tight tolerances, the quality remains high.

Turnarounds are fast in low volumes, and CNC prototyping produces parts not too far from production quality. The cost is higher than 3D printing but the surface finish and part strength are often superior.

Dexin 3D printing (additive manufacturing) rapid prototyping service encompasses different 3D printing technologies:

Our 3D printing rapid prototyping services are ideal for 3D printed plastics and metals, with extensive material and finishing options available. These additive manufacturing technologies can also sometimes be used for production.

Because 3D printing doesn’t require tooling, prototyping of 3D printed parts takes only a short time, without sacrificing build quality. Other advantages include geometrical freedom and affordability, especially in low volumes.

3D printing is often preferred for concept models, but precision technologies SLM can also work for functional prototypes and even production parts.

Rapid sheet metal prototyping is a set of rapid prototyping services for the production of sheet metal parts. This includes various forming, cutting, and assembly processes for manipulating the sheet metal stock in different ways.

Rapid sheet metal prototyping is generally used for flat parts like brackets and enclosures, and it can accommodate a range of sizes, including very large metal parts. Setup times can be longer than comparable processes, but sheet metal is highly cost-effective when making large and relatively simple parts.

An advantage of rapid sheet metal prototyping is that the solid sheet metal feedstock can later be CNC machined for additional features.

Rapid tooling (bridge tooling or prototype tooling) refers to the rapid CNC machining of metal tooling for injection molding. It is therefore the first step toward rapid injection molding.

Prototyping tooling for molding is ideal when the customer requires between 100–2,000 units of their injection molded parts; more than this and production-level steel tooling may be preferred.

Advantages of rapid tooling include fast turnarounds and the ability to carry out prototyping and testing of injection molded parts that might otherwise take months to produce. Rapid tooling is also significantly cheaper than mass production tooling.

Although rapid tooling and rapid injection molding is more expensive than 3D printing, it provides plastic parts much nearer to production quality that can therefore be used for functional testing.

Casting is generally considered a production process for high-quality metal parts, but rapid metal casting — using 3D printing to make low-cost patterns — offers an affordable route for prototyping cast metal.

Dexin rapid metal casting services are only available due to our close relationship with several large casting companies which typically would not accept low-volume (10+) prototyping orders from new customers.

Advantages of rapid metal casting include near production-quality metal parts, with potentially very large sizes, at surprisingly fast speeds. Cast parts also have excellent tensile strength and can also be post-machined.

In simpler terms, you use technology to transform a product idea into a physical model.

This early physical model is a prototype. You’ll then refine this until you get the final version right. At that point, you’re ready to use or sell this into a product. So the faster you produce and refine your prototypes, the faster you can start going to market.

All rapid prototying jobs begin with digital models, but manufacturing hardware can range between CNC machining, 3D printing, and more.

You can make rapid prototypes from any material that’s compatible with the manufacturing hardware that you use. This might or might not include surface finishing treatments.

As its name implies, rapid prototyping puts an emphasis on fast turnarounds. Because when you want to develop and ship a product using rapid prototyping services, faster is always better.