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Rapid Prototyping Services

Built for engineers, product teams, and businesses that need functional parts. FDM and SLA rapid prototyping from $25/part, instant quotes, 2–5 business day turnaround.
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What is rapid prototyping?

Rapid prototyping is the fast fabrication of physical parts directly from CAD data, used to validate design, fit, and function before committing to production tooling. 3D printing is the dominant rapid-prototyping method today.

A rapid-prototyping workflow turns a CAD file into a testable part in hours rather than the weeks required for machined or molded prototypes. Engineers use it to catch geometry errors, verify assembly clearances, run ergonomic reviews, pressure-test mechanical assumptions, and iterate on industrial design — all before investing in hard tooling.

Today rapid prototyping is almost always 3D printing. FDM produces mechanically tough prototypes in engineering plastics; SLA delivers injection-mold-quality surfaces and fine detail. Turnaround is 2–5 business days, letting product teams close a full design loop weekly instead of monthly.

Related: Compare FDM and SLA processes.

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How much does rapid prototyping cost?

Rapid prototyping costs $25–$500 per part. FDM prototypes start at $25; SLA resin parts start at $35. Iteration is affordable because quantity discounts begin at 5 units.

Cost scales with four inputs: part volume in cm³, machine time, material class (PLA/PETG at the cheap end, Nylon and resin in the middle, PA-CF and Polycarbonate at the top), and quantity. Small FDM parts run $25–$50, medium $50–$150, large $150–$500+. SLA runs about 40–60% higher at each size because of slower cure times.

Because tooling is zero, every design iteration is fully priced by the pricing engine with no setup fee. Automatic discounts kick in at 5+ units of total order quantity (6%) and step up to 15% at 1,000+ — a mix of different designs on one order still counts toward the next tier.

Related: See the full pricing breakdown.

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How long does 3D printing take for a prototype?

Standard rapid prototyping turnaround is 2–5 business days from order to dispatch. FDM ships in 1–3 days, SLA in 2–4 days. Rush service available for same-week delivery.

Turnaround has three components: print time, post-processing, and shipping. A small FDM prototype prints in 2–4 hours; a medium batch on a single SLA plate takes 6–12 hours. After printing we run QC, remove supports (SLA adds a UV post-cure), and pack for dispatch the same or next business day.

Rush production compresses the queue to 1–2 days for an additional 50% surcharge. Expedited UPS shipping adds $20–$60 and arrives next or second business day anywhere in the United States. Standard UPS ground lands in 2–5 business days.

Related: Compare FDM and SLA services.

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What materials are used for rapid prototyping?

FDM materials dominate functional prototypes: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, Nylon, Polycarbonate, TPU, and carbon-fiber composites. SLA resins cover visual prototypes, dental models, and optical parts.

For early-stage prototypes PLA is the cheapest and fastest; for parts that will see real-world testing choose PETG (chemical resistant), ABS or ASA (impact and UV), Nylon PA-12 (wear and fatigue), or Polycarbonate (heat to 220 °C). TPU prints functional flexible parts at shore 95A. PA-CF and PPS-CF deliver aerospace-grade stiffness for structural prototypes.

SLA resins handle the visual side: Standard for concept models, Tough for ABS-like functional parts, Clear for optics, Flexible for gaskets, and ISO 10993 Dental for biocompatible medical prototypes. Our engineers flag material risk on every quote.

Related: Browse the full materials catalog.

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Frequently asked questions

How is rapid prototyping different from production?
Rapid prototyping optimizes for speed and iteration: short runs of 1–50 parts, quick turnaround, minimal tooling investment. Production optimizes for unit cost at scale via injection molding or casting. The crossover point is typically 500–1,000 units depending on part size and material.
Which 3D printing process is best for prototyping?
FDM is the go-to for functional prototypes that need to survive mechanical testing — strong, cheap, wide material selection. SLA wins when surface finish, fine detail, or transparency matters: visual prototypes, ergonomic reviews, optical parts, dental models. Many teams use both, FDM for early iterations and SLA for the show-and-tell version.
Can I test my prototype in a real-world environment?
Yes — that is exactly what FDM prototypes are for. PETG and ASA survive outdoor UV exposure; Nylon and PA-CF handle mechanical loads; Polycarbonate resists heat to 220 °C. Our engineers recommend the best material and print orientation for your load case on every quote.
How many iterations can I afford?
More than you think. A small FDM prototype costs $25–$50, a medium $50–$150. Most product teams run 5–15 iterations during design before committing to tooling. Automatic quantity discounts start at 5 units of total order quantity, so batching concept variants plus stress-test copies on one order all counts toward the next tier.
Do you help with design-for-manufacture feedback?
Yes. Every uploaded file is automatically scanned for non-manifold edges, thin walls, and support-heavy overhangs. For paid engineering review, flag it at checkout and our team returns DFM notes before production. We do not rewrite your CAD, but we will tell you what will fail and why.
Can I scale from prototype to production on the same files?
Yes. Both FDM and SLA support low-volume production runs from 50 to 1,000+ units with automatic quantity discounts up to 15%. If volumes justify tooling, we can refer you to an injection-molding partner with the same CAD files you used for prototypes.
Is my CAD file kept confidential?
Yes. Files are encrypted in transit (HTTPS) and at rest (S3 KMS), stored privately, and never shared. We sign mutual NDAs on request for sensitive projects. ITAR-aware workflow available for defense and aerospace work.

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