Your Best CNC Machining Prototype Manufacturer in China
Quickly transform designs or ideas into production in a broad variety of materials with CNC machining.
Custom Precision CNC Machined Prototypes
The undivided attention to detail, pursuit of precision and accuracy, and advanced equipment enable Runsom to transform an idea or design into a complex prototype within a quick turnaround, helping customers to test and refine their products concisely and effectively. Our CNC machined prototypes can achieve tight tolerances up to ±0.025mm.
Our well-trained QC team makes the most use of the latest spectrometer, X-ray detector, CMM, and other inspection instruments to ensure your prototype is produced exactly as per your requirements and specifications.
What Is CNC Machining Prototypes?
CNC prototype machining is the process used to produce one or a small batch of products prior to custom production and fabrication of the product. This craft is suitable for a variety of things. For instance, it is available for getting a sample of the product you want to develop at a lower cost. 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 as a product. So the faster you produce and refine your prototypes, the faster you can start going to market.
Runsom has a fast production system to develop and deliver your prototypes in a fast turnaround. We are the best at this job since our team of engineers can make rapid prototypes from any material that’s compatible with the manufacturing hardware and optimize the cutting time, surface finish, and final tolerances to exactly match your specifications.
How Is CNC Machining Beneficial for Prototyping?
CNC machining confers several significant advantages for the manufacturing of prototypes:
Materials Available for CNC Machining Prototypes
There are a wealth of materials useful for CNC machining prototypes, the most typical metals are:
Aluminum, Stainless steel, Steel, Titanium, Zinc, Brass, Bronze, and Magnesium.
In most cases, aluminum, an all-purpose metal, is considered the best in which the prototype is a die-casting part. Runsom utilizes advanced equipment to provide customers with high quality CNC prototypes. Here, we work with several most accessible types of aluminum preferred by our customers for their CNC prototyping:
- Aluminum: A380, ADC12
- Aluminum-Silicon: AlSi12
- Aluminum-Silicon-Copper: AlSi9Cu
Surface Finishes Available for CNC Machining Prototypes
Once the machining process is completed, there will leave some slight visible tool marks on a part surface. To enhance mechanical properties or cosmetic attractiveness, we offer a wide range of post-processing options to meet clients’ needs.
As Machined
As machined finish is ideal for prototypes in need of close tolerance when there is no requirement for aesthetics.
Bead Blasting
Bead blasting is suitable for prototypes with a uniform matte finish with less concern for dimensional tolerances.
Anodizing Type-II
Anodizing Type-II is applied to add a thin, defensive, and stylish layer to the surface of a prototype.
Anodizing Type-III
Anodizing Type-III is usually used in engineering-related prototypes that require high wear resistance and surface hardness.
Powder Coating
Powder coating is best suited for prototypes that can’t be anodized or require high impact strength.
Applications of CNC Prototype Machining
Medical
The machinability of aluminum and stainless steel makes CNC prototype machining a common procedure in medicine, which is used to manufacture medical tools and surgical instruments.
Automotive
CNC prototype machining is the most well-known technique for creating automotive mechanical prototypes to compare, measure, or check dimensional differences, design errors, and tolerances acceptable.
Aerospace
CNC prototype machining plays an essential role in aerospace manufacturing. This process is ideal for making critical components due to the high accuracy of CNC machines. CNC machined parts used in the aerospace industry include fuel panels, landing gear parts, engine mounts, and prototype engine components.
What Benefits Prototype CNC Machining Offers?
Prototype CNC machining is preferred as an effective technique for broad applications among various industries to develop and refine their products.
The benefits of prototype CNC machining are as shown below:
CNC Machined Prototype Made from Runsom
Runsom has rich experience in offering custom precision prototypes with our advanced CNC machining technologies for different applications in a wide range of industries.
Our customers can be beneficial from our CNC machining prototype services from:
CNC Machining Prototype FAQs
The type of prototype CNC machine is generally divided into standard mills with linear/rotary movement, lathes, and most complex machines with multiple axes that work in multiple dimensions to produce precise and high-end parts or components available for form, fit, and functional prototype testing.
The process of the CNC machining prototype involves transferring a complex design processed by a 3D program to the CNC machine, generating the required tool paths, and then the CNC machine runs an automatic program that executes the desired "machining" procedures.
Prototype CNC machines can also be programmed to repeat the same process with multiple prototypes being replicated to the same specifications.
This process builds consistent, precise, and high-quality results.
There are many reasons to use CNC machining to produce effective prototypes, such as increased production speed, high-quality parts, premium material selection, and similarity to the final product.
- From sketches to prototypes. The “CNC” element is viewed as a unique and distinct advantage of CNC machining. Since it is a digitally automated process of designing or creating parts from computer files, engineers believe that the machined prototype will be closely related to the digital 3D design, which is subsequently used for the completion of the final product.
- Consistency. The current computer-controlled machinery is developed intelligently to perform accurately as programmed procedures. CNC machines can follow instructions within a fraction of a millimeter, which is the easiest way to guarantee consistency in automated machines.
- Similarity to the final product. CNC machines are able to create prototypes identical to the desired product. Most engineering metals are highly machinable, allowing technicians to make prototypes out of the same/similar materials as the final product.
Prototype CNC milling is the first choice for forming complex 3D shapes or prototypes, applying machined surfaces or features on parts made of metal materials.
The advantages of a multi-axis CNC milling machine enable the versatility, accuracy, and repeatability of the CNC milling process.
Manufacture different kinds of prototypes or components characterized by complex geometric features.
Prototype CNC lathes can turn metal bars or blocks such as aluminum at high speed.
This turning process also allows to generate intricate internal or external geometries, just like the production of a series of strings.
Still, for any round-shaped part, including circles, worms, and shafts, prototype CNC turning is an increasingly productive and right technique in contrast to prototype CNC milling.
With our high-precision CNC machines and experienced experts, we can reach the ultimate tolerance for CNC machined prototypes and components. Each part will go through a complete inspection by hand metrology, CMM, or laser scanners to match clients’ specifications.
When employing CNC machining to make prototypes, there are some key limitations to consider:
- Compared to other rapid prototyping methods, the turnaround times using CNC machining may be longer(note: this refers to prototyping runs because turnaround times will be shortened greatly when high-volume production uses CNC machining)
- With additive manufacturing, you can build lightweight prototypes for display purposes because you can hollow out the cavities inside.
- Reaching the same effect with CNC machining is much more complicated.
- Additive manufacturing is a more sustainable option in terms of material waste due to the build-up nature of additive manufacturing (although you can usually recycle chips from CNC machining).
China CNC Prototype Machine Shop - Runsom Precision
Runsom is always dedicated to providing the best solution to suit customers’ tasks well with our highly skilled employers and high-standard production. You can rest assured that we are the ideal partner for your prototype CNC machining.
Send us your CNC machining prototype quote today!