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Rapid Prototyping Services for Metal and Plastic Parts

DEK's rapid prototyping services ship CNC prototypes in common materials in as few as 3 days, with no MOQ. Parts run under the same certified QMS used for production.

  • CNC milling machine spindle and tool in action
  • Large complex aluminum part CNC machined in a machining center
Titanium

A Rapid Prototyping Company for Functional Parts

DEK machines functional, tight-tolerance prototypes in metal and engineering plastic. Prototype CNC machining, EDM, precision grinding and Swiss turning all run in-house, under one QMS.

Pick the process that matches what the prototype must prove: fit, finish or fatigue life under real load. Prototypes use the same materials and tolerances as production, so test results carry over; the handoff to a bridge run is covered in From Prototype to Production.

Why Choose DEK Rapid Prototyping Services

Two decades of precision machining sit behind every quote. Prototype and production orders run through the same shop floor and the same QMS, so there is no handoff to a second vendor when a design moves from a test part to a bridge run.

  • 01

    Two Decades of Experience

    Two decades of precision machining sit behind every quote, with an engineer reviewing each file and material selection before pricing.

  • 02

    1.2M+ Parts per Year

    DEK ships more than 1.2 million parts a year, so prototype orders run on the same production shop floor, not a separate side cell.

  • 03

    2,300+ OEM Accounts

    Over 2,300 OEM accounts worldwide, from OEMs and SMEs to startups across Europe and North America, rely on DEK for machined prototypes.

  • 04

    98.6% On-Time Delivery

    On-time delivery holds above 98.6%. Straightforward CNC prototypes in common materials ship in as few as 3 days; complex work takes longer.

  • 05

    No MOQ on Prototypes

    There is no minimum order: a single machined part costs the same programming and setup work as a batch, so one prototype carries no penalty.

  • 06

    Same QMS as Production

    IQC, IPQC, FAI and OQC, with SPC data and CAPA, apply to every prototype order: the same documented QMS used on production contracts.

CNC Prototyping: Tolerances, Speed and Cost

What a machined prototype holds, how fast it ships, what drives its price, and how it moves into a bridge run.

  • Prototype Tolerances and Lead Time

    The 3-day figure applies to straightforward geometry in common materials; EDM tooling, grinding on hardened stock and 5-axis programming extend that window.

    • Tighter bands on simple prismatic shapes than on 5-axis contours
    • Structural parts up to around 1000 mm
    • First article inspection on every prototype order
    Get a Quote
    Metric Value
    Prototype lead time as few as 3 days
    General CNC tolerance ±0.005 mm
    5-axis profile control ±0.01 mm
    Micro precision (sub-10 mm parts) ±0.003 mm
    Fit-critical (shaft-bore) ±0.005 mm
    Max structural part size ~1000 mm
    Certifications ISO 9001, AS9100D, ISO 13485
  • Rapid Prototyping for Regulated Industries

    Prototypes for regulated programs need traceable process control from the first unit. DEK serves OEMs, SMEs and startups across Europe and North America.

    • Medical devices, robotics and semiconductor equipment
    • Industrial automation, energy and automotive programs
    • Non-flight-critical structural and cabin parts via aerospace prototyping
    • The full range of industries DEK serves
    Aerospace Prototyping
  • Prototype Cost and Turnaround

    Prototype cost tracks material, complexity and process choice more than order size: a 3-axis aluminum bracket and a 5-axis titanium housing sit on different cost curves.

    • Material grade moves the price independently
    • Feature complexity and tight fits add cost regardless of part count
    • Finish selection is priced as its own factor
    Prototype Cost Guide
  • From No-MOQ Prototype to Bridge Run

    This page covers prototypes. Once a design passes testing, the same tooling and process move it into a low-volume bridge run, without switching vendors or re-qualifying.

    Prototype to Production

Quality Assurance on Every Prototype

Every prototype order runs through the same documented QMS used on production contracts, not a lighter version for one-off parts.

  • Engineer File Review

    An engineer reviews your STEP, IGES or native CAD file and the material selection before pricing, not an automated parser.

  • IQC, IPQC and FAI

    Incoming inspection, in-process checks and first article inspection apply to every prototype, from a single part to a bridge run.

  • OQC, SPC and CAPA

    Outgoing QC closes each order, with SPC data recorded and CAPA opened on any nonconformance found during the build.

  • Certified Quality System

    Work runs under ISO 9001, AS9100D and ISO 13485 (TUV), giving regulated programs traceable process control from the first unit.

CNC machining coolant spraying on metal part during cutting
  • 2,300+

    OEM Accounts Worldwide

  • 1.2M+

    Parts Shipped per Year

  • 98.6%+

    On-Time Delivery Rate

Certified Quality from the First Unit

Prototypes run under the same ISO 9001, AS9100D and ISO 13485 QMS as production.

  • AS9100D and ISO 9001 certification logo
    AS9100D

    Aerospace Quality Management System

  • ISO 9001 certification logo
    ISO 9001:2015

    Quality Management Standard

  • ISO 13485 certification logo
    ISO 13485

    Medical Devices Quality Management

How to Request a Prototype Quote

  • 1

    Upload CAD Files

    Send a STEP, IGES or native CAD file through the form, with drawings for the quote.

  • 2

    Note Critical Specs

    Mark critical tolerances and finish call-outs on the drawing so they are priced correctly.

  • 3

    Set the Quantity

    Quote a single prototype or a full bridge-run quantity in the same request: no MOQ applies.

  • 4

    Engineer Review

    An engineer reviews the file and material selection and returns a quote within 6 hours.

  • 5

    Machining & FAI

    Parts are machined, checked through IPQC, FAI and OQC, then finished and shipped.

Rapid Prototyping FAQs

Can't find your answer? Our engineers review every drawing and can discuss your prototype requirements.

Can a rapid prototype be machined in the same material as the final production part?
Yes. CNC, EDM and grinding run on the same 50+ metals and engineering plastics used for production, so test results on strength, fit and finish carry over directly instead of needing re-validation once production tooling is cut.
Is there a minimum order for a single prototype?
No. A single machined part costs the same programming and setup work as a batch, so ordering one prototype carries no MOQ penalty; the same job can scale into a low-volume bridge run once the design is validated.
What tolerances can a machined prototype hold?
General CNC tolerance runs to ±0.005 mm, with ±0.01 mm profile control on complex 5-axis contours and ±0.003 mm on sub-10 mm micro-precision parts. Fit-critical assemblies, like shaft-bore pairs, hold ±0.005 mm coaxiality.