Quick. Iterative. Validation-ready. Prototype materials.
Material selection for prototyping — fast availability, machinability, cost. Lower priority on production-grade properties unless functional prototype.
Material selection for prototyping
Match production material family if possible. Use CNC bar stock for plastic prototypes — closer to production injection grade than 3D print.
Key principles.
Standard prototype
Most common prototype material. Cheap, fast, machinable.
Plastic prototype
Bar-stock ABS approximates injection ABS for prototypes.
Wear surfaces
Bar-stock acetal for wear-resistant prototypes.
High detail
Resin SLA for highest detail visual prototypes.
Functional prototype
SLS nylon for functional prototype. Good mechanical.
Lowest cost
FDM extrusion for low-cost concept prototype.
Production-like
Silicone-cast urethane parts approximate injection ABS.
Bridge production
5-10K shots from aluminum mold for production-grade prototype.
Quick fab
Laser-cut + bend sheet metal prototypes from production-grade stock.
FAQ
Match production material family if possible. Use CNC bar stock for plastic prototypes — closer to production injection grade than 3D print.
Functional needs production-similar properties. Visual needs surface finish. Different material choices.
3D printing fastest (1-3 days). CNC quality (5-10 days). Each suits different prototype phase.
Material cost negligible vs labor for one-off parts. Don't under-spec material to save trivial amount.
SLA + paint for highest visual. CNC + brushed/anodize finish for premium look. Choose per intent.
First iteration cheap material/process. Final iteration production-representative material. Different priorities each phase.
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