Production steel first articles
- Fit and cosmetic sign off tied to production tool.
- No second qualification when scale starts.
- Tool build in 10 business days on qualified programs.
Prototype injection molding
Prototype Injection Molding: Tooling, Lead Time and Cost
Prototype injection molding should answer design questions with parts that match production, not parts from a throwaway cavity.
Parts intent
Prototype parts without a prototype tool
This query is about molded parts for validation, not about buying a separate prototype mold SKU.
First shots off the NetProto hardened steel tool function as your prototypes because they come from the tool that will run production. Prototype tooling is compared with first articles from this hardened steel tool.
Part source
Prototype parts from production steel versus another cavity
Prototype cavity parts
- Parts differ from future production steel.
- Reapproval required after tool change.
- Extra tooling spend.
Before you order prototype parts
List tests the parts must pass (fit, drop, environmental).
Mark cosmetic surfaces on CAD.
Identify open design questions for DFM.
Term overlap
How this page differs from prototype tooling
| Search | This page focus | Sibling page |
|---|---|---|
| Prototype injection molding | Getting parts | /injection-molding-tooling/prototype-injection-molding |
| Prototype tooling | Buying a validation mold | /injection-molding-tooling/prototype-tooling |
DFM first
Resolve design on CAD before first shots
- Injection molding DFM article
- Design for manufacturing service page
Related
/injection-molding-tooling/prototype-tooling
Validation mold concept.
/injection-molding-tooling/prototype-tooling
Rapid injection molding
Molded parts on a launch date from the steel tool you keep.
rapid injection molding
/injection-molding-tooling/injection-mold-cost
Program economics.
/injection-molding-tooling/injection-mold-cost
/manufacturing-standards
Tolerances for prototypes.
/manufacturing-standards
/injection-molding-tooling
Tooling hub.
/injection-molding-tooling
/instant-quote-platform
Instant quote.
/instant-quote-platformFAQ
Prototype molding questions
Can I order only five parts?
No MOQ; small orders run on the same steel tool.
How many prototype parts can one steel tool make?
There is no fixed prototype quantity. There is no minimum order quantity, and the same hardened steel tool runs later orders.
Do prototype parts cost more per piece than production?
A very small first order often costs more per part than a later order on the same steel tool. Piece price is quoted per order.
Can I make design changes after prototype parts?
Design changes after the steel tool is cut are quoted separately. Open questions belong in DFM before the first shots.
Next step
Prototype on production steel
Upload CAD. NetProto manufacturing is ISO 9001 certified.