10 to 10,000 parts. No production-tool commitment. Shipped in days.
Bridge production between prototype and full manufacturing. CNC for metals. Rapid injection molding for plastics. Sheet metal for enclosures. 3D printing for complex geometry. We pick the cheapest path for your exact quantity.
Low volume manufacturing
Volume fundamentally drives the economics. Below is our recommended process for common material + quantity combinations.
The right process for your quantity.
| Material | 10–100 parts | 100–1,000 parts | 1,000–10,000 parts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | CNC machining | CNC machining | CNC or die cast |
| Steel / Stainless | CNC machining | CNC machining | CNC machining |
| Titanium / Inconel | CNC machining | CNC machining | CNC machining |
| ABS / PC / PP | 3D printing (SLS/MJF) | Rapid injection molding | Rapid injection molding |
| Nylon / Delrin | 3D printing or CNC | Rapid injection molding | Rapid injection molding |
| PEEK / Ultem | CNC machining | CNC machining | CNC or specialty IM |
| Sheet metal (Al/Steel) | Laser cut + bend | Laser cut + bend | Progressive die (partner) |
| Silicone / TPU | 3D printing | Vacuum casting | Injection molding |
Volume fundamentally drives the economics. Below is our recommended process for common material + quantity combinations.
The low-volume advantage.
No production-tool commitment
Below 5,000 parts, production tooling (hardened steel molds, progressive dies) doesn't pay back. Low-volume processes skip the NRE.
Fast iteration
Shipped CNC parts in 5 days. Test, refine, reorder in under 2 weeks. Production-tool lead time is 6–8 weeks per iteration.
Real production materials
Not 3D-printed PLA or PU castings — actual ABS injection, aluminum CNC, stainless sheet. Parts work like production parts.
Scale flexibility
Reorder 10 parts or 10,000 parts from the same process. No minimum order quantity beyond our $100 order floor.
Pilot-to-production bridge
Ship low-volume while steel production tooling builds in parallel. No gap between prototype and production.
Design changes accepted
Revisions between orders are free. Keep iterating until the design is finalized, then commit to production tooling.
10 to 10,000 parts — questions
What volumes does low-volume manufacturing cover?
We define low-volume as 10 to 10,000 parts per order. Below 10 parts is prototyping (different cost structure). Above 10,000 parts, dedicated production tooling (hardened steel injection molds, progressive stamping dies) typically becomes cheaper per unit. The 10–10K range is where our flexibility beats both prototype shops and mass production.
Which process is right for my low-volume part?
Metal parts 10–1,000: CNC machining (no tooling, fast). Metal parts 1,000–10,000: CNC machining still economical, or die casting if tooling can amortize. Plastic parts 10–500: 3D printing (SLS, MJF, SLA). Plastic parts 500–10,000: rapid aluminum tooling injection molding ($1,500–6,000 tool, production-material parts). Sheet metal 10–10,000: laser cut and bent aluminum or steel. We recommend the cheapest path based on your actual quantity.
What are typical lead times?
CNC machined parts: 3–10 business days. 3D printed parts: 2–5 business days. Sheet metal: 5–10 business days. Rapid injection molding: 14–21 days including tooling. Die casting: 10–14 weeks including tooling. Rush service available on most processes at 1.5–2× cost. Finishing (anodize, powder coat, plating) adds 3–7 days.
Can I get tight tolerances on low-volume parts?
Yes. CNC machining holds ±0.025 mm precision as standard; ±0.01 mm with CMM verification. Rapid injection molding holds ±0.1 mm typical. Sheet metal ±0.2 mm typical. For tighter tolerance, specify critical features explicitly — we apply appropriate process controls (fixture design, inspection steps) without adding cost on non-critical dimensions.
Do you provide first article inspection?
Yes. First Article Inspection (FAI) included on production orders over 100 parts at no additional charge. Smaller orders: FAI available for $50–150 depending on complexity. Aerospace AS9102 FAI format available for aerospace suppliers. All critical dimensions inspected with calibrated CMM, hand tools, or gauges.
How do you handle recurring orders?
We maintain your drawing files, material specs, finish specs, and routing indefinitely for repeat orders. Reorders typically 30–50% faster than initial order because setup, programming, and fixturing exists. For regular recurring demand, we can stock material and schedule production ahead of confirmed POs. Contact us for Kanban and scheduled delivery arrangements.
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