Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd.

Purpose of the Prototype:

Fit and Form Testing: If you need to verify dimensions, aesthetics, or assembly, vacuum casting is ideal. It produces high-quality prototypes with excellent surface finishes for visual models or market testing (e.g., 5-50 units).

Functional Testing: For prototypes requiring production-grade material properties (e.g., strength, heat resistance), choose low-volume injection molding. It uses soft tooling (aluminum molds) to create parts that mimic final products.

Complex Geometry Validation: If intricate designs are needed, CNC machining or 3D printing can create precise molds or prototypes directly from CAD files.

Material Requirements:

Plastic Prototypes: For plastics like ABS, PC, or PMMA, injection molding or vacuum casting works well. Vacuum casting uses polyurethane resins to mimic production plastics, while injection molding supports actual thermoplastics.

Metal Prototypes: For metal parts (e.g., aluminum, steel), CNC machining is preferred for creating durable molds or prototypes with tight tolerances (±0.01mm).

Material Variety: Ensure the provider offers a wide material range. Shenzhen Alu Rapid, for example, supports diverse plastics and metals for customized prototyping.

Volume and Cost:

Low Volume (5-100 units): Vacuum casting is cost-effective for small batches, using silicone molds that are cheaper than metal molds. Ideal for startups or early-stage testing.

Moderate Volume (50-500 units): Low-volume injection molding with soft tooling balances cost and production-like quality, suitable for pre-production runs.

Budget Constraints: Compare costs. Vacuum casting is typically cheaper than injection molding, but CNC machining may be costlier for complex molds. Use instant quoting platforms (like Alu Rapid’s AI-driven system) to estimate costs upfront.

Lead Time:

Fast Turnaround: If speed is critical (e.g., 3-7 days), vacuum casting or 3D printing offers rapid production. Injection molding may take slightly longer due to tooling.

Timeline Flexibility: For projects with longer timelines, CNC-machined molds can provide higher precision for complex parts, though they require more setup time.

Precision and Tolerance:

High Precision: For tight tolerances (e.g., ±0.01mm), CNC machining or injection molding is best, especially for industries like aerospace or medical.

Moderate Precision: Vacuum casting and 3D printing are sufficient for visual or less tolerance-critical prototypes, with tolerances around ±0.1-0.2mm.

Surface Finish and Aesthetics:

Production-Quality Finish: If prototypes need polished, painted, or textured surfaces for market testing or investor demos, vacuum casting and injection molding excel, offering finishing options like anodizing or coating.

Basic Finish: For functional prototypes where aesthetics are less critical, 3D printing or CNC machining may suffice without extensive post-processing.

Scalability to Production:

Bridge to Production: If the prototype is a step toward full-scale manufacturing, low-volume injection molding is ideal, as it uses similar processes and materials to production.

Iterative Prototyping: For early-stage designs requiring multiple iterations, vacuum casting or 3D printing allows quick, cost-effective revisions.

Industry and Application:

Medical Devices: Choose injection molding or vacuum casting for biocompatible materials and high precision.

Automotive/Aerospace: Opt for CNC machining or injection molding for durable, high-performance parts.

Consumer Electronics: Vacuum casting is great for sleek, aesthetic prototypes with complex shapes.