Rapid Prototyping
with Leading Edge
Rapid CNC machining, injection molding, sheet metal fabrication, 3D printing and vacuum casting services. Lead time as fast as 1 day.
Start a Leading Edge Quote
STEP STP SLDPRT IPT PRT SAT IGES IGS CATPART X_T OBJ STL
files
- All uploads are secure and confidential.
What is
Rapid Prototyping
Rapid prototyping quickly converts early-stage design concepts into physical models, offering a fast and cost-effective way to see ideas in reality. This approach is particularly effective through technologies such as 3D printing, CNC machining, and more, with the ability to deliver prototypes typically within 1-3 business days.
Opting for prototyping is essential for speeding up the design process while reducing the financial and operational risks associated with new product development. It enables thorough testing and refinement of designs, ensuring that each iteration is an improvement on the previous one. This process is critical for making informed decisions early in the development cycle, minimizing the risk of expensive alterations later on.
Rapid prototyping quickly converts early-stage design concepts into physical models, offering a fast and cost-effective way to see ideas in reality. This approach is particularly effective through technologies such as 3D printing, CNC machining, and more, with the ability to deliver prototypes typically within 1-3 business days.
Our Rapid Prototyping
Services
Rapid CNC Prototyping Service
CNC machining, including both CNC milling and CNC turning, is an excellent choice for rapid prototyping when parts need to be assessed in their final material form. This method allows for prototypes to be made from fully dense stock, providing accurate and durable models. Leading Edge specializes in machining a broad spectrum of metals and plastics, ensuring versatility for your project requirements. Our rapid CNC prototyping services deliver high-quality machined prototype quickly, often in 1 day. This speed, coupled with our cost-effective pricing, allows engineers to order multiple prototypes at once, facilitating quick and thorough product evaluations.
Choosing Leading Edge for your CNC prototyping needs means benefiting from our expertise and commitment to precision. We provide various expedite options, ensuring that urgent projects are completed on time. Our market-based pricing model ensures affordability without compromising quality. With Leading Edge, you receive detailed and accurate prototypes that support rapid product development, from initial design to final production.
Maximum Part Size:
CNC Milling: 4000×1500×600 mm
CNC Turning: 200×500 mm
Standard Lead time: 1 day
Tolerance: 0.001 inches
Rapid Prototype Injection Molding Service
Injection molding is a top choice for prototyping when you need highly durable and consistent parts for extensive testing. This method is perfect for high-fidelity product evaluations and for creating temporary bridge tooling during product launches. Rapid injection molding typically has a lead time of 2-3 weeks for initial parts, but with Leading Edge’s expedited services, you can receive parts in as little as five days.
Opting for injection molding over 3D printing or CNC machining is beneficial when your project demands strict material properties or specific mechanical requirements that other methods can’t achieve. Leading Edge excels in this area, offering high repeatability and near-final shapes with each prototype. Our expertise ensures that you receive reliable and precise prototypes, aiding in effective product development and testing.
Maximum Part Size: 1200×1000×500 mm
Standard Lead time: 2-3 weeks
Mold Cavity Tolerance: +/- 0.05 mm
Rapid Sheet Metal Prototyping Service
Sheet metal fabrication is perfect for producing flat parts that need to be tested in their final metal form quickly. This method enables prototypes to be made within a week or less, offering a fast and efficient solution. It is also cost-effective, allowing the creation of multiple prototype designs simultaneously. While Aluminum 5052 is a common choice, we also offer a variety of other alloys, including steels, copper, and stainless steel.
Choosing Leading Edge for your sheet metal prototyping ensures you benefit from our extensive experience and streamlined processes. We provide a wide range of materials and guarantee high-quality rapid metal prototyping services that meet your project requirements accurately and promptly. With Leading Edge, you can expect reliable, precise, and swift delivery of your sheet metal prototypes, keeping your design process on schedule and within budget.
Cutting Feature: ± .00787” (0.2mm)
Bend Angle: ± 1.0°
Bend to edge: +/-0.010″(0.254mm)
Bend to hole: +/- 0.2 mm
Standard Lead time: 1-2 business days
General Tolerances: Metals : ISO 2768-c
Rapid 3D Prototyping Service
3D printing stands out as the leading method for rapid prototyping due to its speed and cost-effectiveness. This technique enables the quick and economical creation of prototypes, often ready for dispatch within a day at minimal cost. The primary 3D printing methods for rapid prototyping include Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA), and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).
SLS is highly versatile, offering a balance of speed, mechanical functionality, detailed resolution, and affordability. SLA provides the finest surface finish and exceptional accuracy, making it perfect for creating clear parts with precise tolerances. FDM is ideal for producing larger parts from a variety of engineered thermoplastics such as ABS, PC, and ULTEM, capable of fabricating items up to 36” in size in a single piece.
Choosing Leading Edge for your 3D printing needs ensures you benefit from our expertise and advanced capabilities. We manufacture high-quality 3D printed parts that meet your specific project requirements. With Leading Edge, you receive reliable, precise, and fast prototyping solutions that help accelerate your product development process.
Max. Build Size: 1400x700x500mm
Standard Lead time: 4-6 days
Dimension Tolerance: ±0.2mm (For >100mm, apply 0.15%)
Rapid Vacuum Casting Prototyping Service
Vacuum casting is a preferred prototyping technique for producing high-quality, detailed replicas quickly and cost-effectively. This method is especially advantageous when you need small to medium quantities of functional plastic parts with the quality of injection-molded products. It allows for the precise replication of details and textures, making it perfectly suited for test marketing, functional testing, and proof-of-concept demonstrations.
Choosing Leading Edge for vacuum casting means leveraging a streamlined process that ensures fast delivery and high fidelity in every prototype. Our rapid vacuum casting service offers a versatile range of materials and finishing options, accommodating diverse prototyping needs. This flexibility, coupled with our dedication to quality and speed, positions Leading Edge as a leader in delivering prototypes that meet exacting standards. With our expertise, you can accelerate your product development timeline while maintaining rigorous quality control.
Maximum Part Size: +/- 0.025 m
Standard Lead time: Up to 20 parts in 15 days or less
Tolerance: ±0.05 mm
How to Choose
The Right Rapid Prototyping Technique
Advantages
Disadvantages
Rapid CNC Machining
High precision and suitability for a variety of materials. Ideal for functional and durable parts.
Higher cost and longer lead times compared to some additive manufacturing processes.
Rapid Injection Molding
Excellent for high-volume production. Provides end-use, functional parts with fine details.
Upfront costs for molds are high, less economical for small quantities.
Rapid Sheet Metal Fabrcation
Good for durable prototypes, allows quick modifications. Suitable for both prototyping and production.
Limited complexity, not ideal for intricate designs requiring high detail.
Rapid 3D Printing
Fast and cost-effective. Capable of complex geometries that are not possible with other methods.
Material properties might not match those of traditionally manufactured parts. Resolution varies by technology.
Rapid Vacuum Casting
Suitable for producing small quantities of highly detailed replicas quickly and affordably.
Generally used for non-functional prototypes or visual models due to material properties.
Why
Choose Us
/01
High Quality
Parts
Leading Edge ensures top-notch prototype quality by using advanced materials and precision techniques, adhering to strict industry standards.
/02
Fast Lead Time
Our efficient processes enable quick delivery of prototypes, significantly cutting development time and speeding up market entry.
/03
Engineering Support
Leading Edge provides extensive engineering support, assisting with design optimization and technical challenges to improve prototype development.