Prototyping: Validating Design for Performance and Production
Prototyping
Prototyping is the critical first step in de-risking your product launch. At polymach 365, we offer fast, high-fidelity prototyping services using the production processes themselves—CNC Machining and Injection Molding—ensuring that your validation data is as close to the final part performance as possible.
Whether you need a handful of functional parts quickly or a small batch to test market acceptance, our prototyping services provide the speed and accuracy required to move confidently into production.
⚙️ CNC Prototyping: Speed and Performance Validation
CNC Prototyping is the fastest path to producing high-quality, functional parts in actual production materials. It’s the ideal choice when your primary goals are verifying material properties, mechanical performance, and fit/form checks with extreme precision.
Why Choose CNC for Prototyping?
- Production Materials: Unlike 3D printing, CNC allows you to prototype using the exact final material (e.g., Aluminum 6061, PEEK, Titanium). This is essential for accurate mechanical, thermal, or chemical testing.
- Speed: No tooling is required. We move directly from your CAD file to machining, delivering parts in days, not weeks.
- Accuracy: CNC provides tight tolerances and excellent surface finishes, making it perfect for mating components and critical assemblies.
| Ideal CNC Prototype Applications | Key Benefit |
|---|---|
| Functional Testing | Verifying performance under load, stress, or heat. |
| Test Fixtures & Jigs | Building custom tools for internal assembly or QC checks. |
| Small-Batch Runs | Producing final, low-volume metal parts quickly. |
Mould Prototyping: Bridging to Mass Production
When your design is largely finalized and your goal shifts to testing the manufacturability and scaling potential, Injection Mold Prototyping is the necessary next step. We use simplified, rapid tooling (often aluminum or soft steel) to simulate the full production process.
Why Choose Mould Prototyping?
- Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Validation: Testing gate locations, cooling cycles, ejection mechanisms, and potential cosmetic issues (e.g., sink, flash) that only occur during the molding process.
- Part Aesthetics: Achieving the precise look and feel of your final injection-molded product, including surface finishes and textures.
- Pilot Production Runs: Manufacturing a limited run (e.g., 500 to 10,000 parts) for market testing, quality validation, or regulatory submissions before committing to high-volume steel tooling.
| Ideal Mold Prototype Tooling | Goal |
|---|---|
| Soft Tooling (Aluminum / P20 Steel) | Validation of DFM and geometry consistency; ideal for low-volume production bridging. |
| Custom Colors & Materials | Testing final color selection and material processing under actual molding conditions. |
🤝 Your Prototyping Partner
We guide you in selecting the right prototyping method based on your product stage, required material, and testing goals. Our seamless transition from prototype validation to full-scale production tooling eliminates delays and ensures consistency.