Injection Molding
Tooling and molding for your repeat plastic parts.
RAPID PROTOTYPING SERVICES
Rapid Prototyping Services for Your Next Product Decision.
Turn your CAD into evidence you can use.
Plan your custom rapid prototyping around the decision your sample must support: appearance, assembly fit or function. Compare 4 manufacturing routes—3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal and prototype molding—against your material, critical features and test conditions.
Appearance ReviewForm & FitFunctional ValidationAssembly ReviewProduction Planning
RAPID PROTOTYPING OVERVIEW
Build Your Prototype Around What You Need to Learn Next
Choose prototype manufacturing services around what your team needs to verify. Define the test, the features that control fit and the evidence required before approving another build.
- Match your process and material to the validation goal.
- Identify the dimensions and mating features that matter.
- Review assembly access, hardware and finishing needs.
- Understand where a prototype differs from the production part.
- Carry approved changes into your next drawing revision.
CHOOSE YOUR PROTOTYPE PROCESS
Compare 4 Rapid Prototyping Processes for Your Part
3D Printing
Explore complex geometry and early form or fit without dedicated tooling. Review material behavior, build orientation and finish against your test.
Explore this process →
CNC Prototyping
Use CNC rapid prototyping when your test needs a specified machinable metal or engineering plastic. Mark mating bores, threads and datums; review tool access and drawing tolerances before machining.
Explore this process →
Sheet Metal Prototyping
Use sheet metal prototyping services to check your enclosure, brackets and hardware in the specified sheet grade and thickness. Review bend sequence and finished assembly dimensions together.
Explore this process →
Rapid Tooling / Prototype Molding
Review molded samples when resin, molded features or a pilot batch matter to validation. Agree tool scope before investing.
Explore this process →COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
Find the Best Path for Your Prototype
Rapid prototyping cost and lead time depend on your geometry, material, quantity, finish and inspection scope. Compare quotes against the same drawing revision and deliverables; separate tooling or setup from repeat-part cost.
| Your decision | 3D Printing | CNC Prototyping | Sheet Metal | Prototype Molding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best starting point | Complex form and early iterations | Functional interfaces and machined materials | Enclosures, brackets and formed assemblies | Molded behavior and pilot samples |
| Material decision | Resin, nylon or metal process-specific properties | Specified machinable grade and condition | Actual sheet grade and thickness | Selected molding resin and tool requirements |
| What to review | Orientation, supports, finish and anisotropy | Tool access, datums and setup strategy | Bend geometry, hardware and finish sequence | Draft, shrinkage, gate and parting locations |
| Tooling commitment | No dedicated mold | Fixtures or special tools may be needed | Forming tools depend on geometry | Dedicated prototype tool scope required |
| Typical next decision | Revise, test or change process | Validate function or release a revised design | Confirm fit and assembly | Review molded sample and production plan |
Not Sure Which Process Fits Your Goal?
Tell us what the prototype must prove and how you plan to test it. We will review the manufacturing route with your team.
Get Project AdvicePROTOTYPE DFM & VALIDATION PLAN
Review Your Risks Before the Next Build
Protect Your Mating Features
Define the surfaces and connections that control fit. Review both mating components when possible.
Review Focus
Mating bores, locating pins and contact faces • Your assembly clearance and alignment • Functional dimensions on a controlled drawing
Your Project Benefit
Resolve the right questions before the next build. Reduce avoidable iterations and clarify your production decision.
Use the Same References for Build and Measurement
Connect your critical dimensions to meaningful datums so prototype feedback can inform the next revision.
Review Focus
Functional datum scheme • Measurement access and setup • Agreed inspection characteristics
Your Project Benefit
Resolve the right questions before the next build. Reduce avoidable iterations and clarify your production decision.
Check How Your Parts Come Together
Include fasteners, inserts and purchased items in the review. A part can meet individual dimensions and still be difficult to assemble.
Review Focus
Tool and fastener access • Tolerance accumulation • Assembly sequence and service access
Your Project Benefit
Resolve the right questions before the next build. Reduce avoidable iterations and clarify your production decision.
Match Your Prototype to the Test Conditions
Specify loads, temperature, wear or fluid exposure. Process and material differences can limit how directly results transfer to production.
Review Focus
Your operating and test conditions • Material and process limitations • Required functional test evidence
Your Project Benefit
Resolve the right questions before the next build. Reduce avoidable iterations and clarify your production decision.
Review the Appearance Your Team Will Approve
Define visible zones, texture and finish expectations before the sample is made. Use agreed samples where appearance is subjective.
Review Focus
Visible and hidden surface zones • Finish method and masking • Color, texture and gloss acceptance
Your Project Benefit
Resolve the right questions before the next build. Reduce avoidable iterations and clarify your production decision.
Separate Material Evidence From Shape Evidence
A visual resin model cannot validate every property of a molded or machined production part. Confirm the material evidence your decision requires.
Review Focus
Exact material grade where necessary • Prototype versus production differences • Heat treatment and finish effects
Your Project Benefit
Resolve the right questions before the next build. Reduce avoidable iterations and clarify your production decision.
Review Your Complete Prototype Assembly
Bring your housing, hardware and interfaces into one review. Define which fit and function checks are included with the prototype.
Review Focus
Your BOM and approved components • Fit, access and assembly sequence • Test responsibilities and acceptance criteria
Your Project Benefit
Resolve the right questions before the next build. Reduce avoidable iterations and clarify your production decision.
Decide What Evidence Your Prototype Must Deliver
Agree the measurements and records before manufacturing so your team can make a clear acceptance decision.
Review Focus
Critical dimensions and report scope • Fit and functional test responsibilities • Revision identification and feedback
Your Project Benefit
Resolve the right questions before the next build. Reduce avoidable iterations and clarify your production decision.
BUILD YOUR PROTOTYPE AROUND THE TEST
Get the Evidence Your Next Decision Needs
01 · Visual Model
Review shape, presentation and design intent. Choose an appearance sample when the next decision is visual.
02 · Form & Fit Prototype
Check dimensions, assembly clearances and hardware access. Record the interfaces that need revision.
03 · Functional Prototype
Evaluate the part under defined test conditions. Review how material and process affect the result.
04 · Pre-Production Prototype
Review production-intent features, finish and acceptance criteria before approving the next manufacturing stage.
Validate the idea →Test and improve →Confirm performance →Review production
PROTOTYPE MATERIALS FOR YOUR VALIDATION GOAL
Choose What Your Part Needs to Demonstrate
Review rapid prototyping materials by grade, process, condition and test environment. ABS-like or nylon-like resin is not the same material as ABS or nylon; agree the actual grade before using a sample for functional testing.
Appearance Materials
Clear, opaque or finished sample materials for visual and handling review.
Functional Polymers
Review nylon, engineering plastics or process-specific resin against your test conditions.
Production-Grade Metals
Specify aluminum, stainless steel, titanium or another reviewed machinable grade.
Sheet Materials
Choose the actual sheet grade and thickness for your enclosure or formed-part evaluation.
Prototype Molded Materials
Discuss production-intent molding resin when molded behavior is part of validation.
WHEN TO ITERATE — WHEN TO TRANSITION
Move Forward When Your Design Evidence Is Ready
Keep Iterating
Refine unresolved interfaces, test assumptions or appearance before committing to a production route.
Move to CNC Production
Review your stable drawing, machining plan, quantity and agreed inspection for repeat supply.
Move to Injection Molding
Review demand, resin, tool investment and approved molded samples before releasing production tooling.
Move to Sheet Metal Production
Carry approved bends, hardware, finish and assembly requirements into your production release.
FROM CAD TO DECISION
A Clear and Transparent Prototype Process
CAD & Requirement Review
You confirm: Your model, drawing and validation goal.
LK delivers: Feasibility questions and quotation.
Prototype Plan
You confirm: Your process, material and acceptance scope.
LK delivers: DFM feedback and agreed build approach.
Build Your Prototype
You confirm: Your approved revision and sample quantity.
LK delivers: The reviewed prototype and agreed records.
Fit / Functional Review
You confirm: Your test results and design feedback.
LK delivers: Support for reviewed manufacturing changes.
Design Freeze
You confirm: Your approved changes and remaining risks.
LK delivers: A reviewed next-stage manufacturing plan.
Production Plan
You confirm: Your quantity, finish and delivery scope.
LK delivers: Quotation and requirements for the next release.
PROTOTYPE FINISHING & ASSEMBLY
Prepare Your Sample for Its Next Review
Secondary CNC Machining
Review machined critical features on your prototype.
Surface Finishing
Agree appearance, coating allowance and masking.
Inserts & Hardware
Review threads, fasteners and purchased components.
Prototype Assembly
Check the fit and sequence of your subassembly.
Protection & Packaging
Protect your sample surfaces and identify the revision.
VALIDATION EVIDENCE YOU CAN USE
Critical Features Verified to Your Drawing.
Agree your inspection scope before the build so the delivered evidence supports your decision.
Drawing-Based Inspection
Verify the critical features you identify.
Dimensional Report
Agree measurements and reporting scope.
First Article Evidence
Define approval evidence when required.
Fit & Function Check
Specify tests and who performs them.
Cosmetic Review
Use your defined appearance criteria.
Material Records
Request available grade and lot evidence.
Test Documentation
Agree the included test records.
Revision Traceability
Connect each sample to its drawing revision.
RAPID PROTOTYPING FOR YOUR APPLICATION
Prototype Parts for Your Next Engineering Decision
Robotics & Automation
Review joints, housings and tooling interfaces.
Medical Equipment Development
Evaluate component fit and design requirements.
Electronics & Enclosures
Review mounting, access and enclosure assembly.
Automotive Development
Test packaging and functional component concepts.
Aerospace Development
Review lightweight geometry and interfaces.
Industrial Equipment
Validate fixtures, mechanisms and assemblies.
EV & Energy
Evaluate power-system and thermal interfaces.
Thermal Management
Review cooling geometry and assembly fit.
LOCAL SUPPORT. GLOBAL MANUFACTURING.
Keep Your Prototype Decisions Connected
Dallas-Area Support
- Your project discussion
- Clear manufacturing updates
- Visits by appointment
Engineering → Prototype
Quality → Production
Quality → Production
Manufacturing in China
- Your reviewed build plan
- Agreed inspection scope
- Your delivery requirements
6 Inputs for Your Rapid Prototyping Quote
- STEP / IGES model and controlled drawing
- Your quantity and target date
- Material and finish requirements
- Critical dimensions and mating interfaces
- Your validation goal and test conditions
- Assembly, hardware and reporting needs
Answers Before Your Prototype Order
How much does rapid prototyping cost?
For your prototype cost estimation, separate 5 cost groups: setup or tooling, part manufacture, secondary finishing, inspection and delivery. Rapid prototyping cost also depends on how much of the sample must be functional. Send CAD, grade, quantity and critical features; identify appearance-only areas so competing quotations cover the same validation scope.
Rapid prototyping vs 3D printing: what is the difference?
Rapid prototyping describes making samples to answer a development question; 3D printing is one manufacturing method. Your prototype may instead need CNC machining, sheet metal or prototype molding. Choose the route by the fit, material behavior and evidence your test requires.
Which prototype process is right for my part?
Start with the decision you need to make: appearance, fit, function or production readiness. Share your geometry, material, quantity and test conditions so 3D printing, CNC machining, sheet metal or prototype molding can be reviewed against that goal.
What affects your rapid prototyping lead time?
Your rapid prototyping lead time includes material sourcing, setup or tooling, manufacturing, secondary work and agreed inspection. Send your required arrival date and delivery location. Confirm production time separately from transit, and allow for sample approval or drawing revisions.
Can I test a prototype like the production part?
Your functional prototyping plan should define loads, environment, interfaces and the test decision before selecting a process. CNC rapid prototyping can use specified stock grades, but machining history and geometry can still differ from production. For functional prototypes made by 3D printing, review build direction and post-processing. Agree the required accuracy and document these differences before applying results to a production design.
What files should I send?
Send your 3D STEP or IGES model and a controlled 2D drawing for critical dimensions. For printed models, discuss STL requirements as needed. Include material, quantity, finish, your validation goal and the required records.
Can you help with DFM and design changes?
We review manufacturability, process selection and critical features with your team. Your team approves design changes and the controlled revision before manufacturing. Include mating parts or assembly information where relevant.
Can you support finishing and assembly?
For your prototype assembly fit validation, provide the mating CAD, BOM, inserts, hardware and intended assembly sequence. Define clearances, datum references and the finished coating condition, then agree what will be measured or trial-assembled. Your functional prototype parts supplier quotation should identify included finishing, assembly checks and test responsibilities.
How do I move from prototype to production?
Record sample feedback, resolve remaining risks and approve your drawing revision. Then review production volume, tooling, material, inspection and delivery requirements before the next release.
Prototype Concepts for Your Review
Visual / Geometry Concepts
Your appearance and geometry discussion.
Functional Bracket Concept
Your mounting and load requirements.
Prototype Assembly Concept
Your fit and assembly review.
Product visuals illustrate manufacturing concepts, not customer case studies. Your approved drawings and agreed specifications control supplied parts.
