Chinese
DMG 5-axis and rows of 3-axis CNC in a 5,000 m² Chang'an base
Dongguan · Chang'anIn-house + partnersPrototypesLow volumeMass production
CNC machiningUrethane / vacuum castingSheet metal fabrication3D printing
English-speaking salesSource ↗
PR-04 · Process hubs
3D printing 3D打印
Parts built layer by layer straight from your 3D file. The fastest way to hold your design in your hand.
- Typical lead time (how long it takes)
- 1–4 days
- Typical cost
- By volume of material and build time; SLA and MJF are usually the cheapest
- Minimum order (MOQ: the smallest order a shop will accept)
- 1 piece
- Best for
- Early prototypes, complex internal geometry, jigs and fixtures, small batches
What is it?
3D printing builds a part layer by layer straight from your 3D file, with no tooling at all. Industrial printers are far more precise than hobby ones. SLA cures liquid resin with light, for fine detail. SLS and MJF fuse nylon powder into tough parts, and metal printers can even print steel or aluminum. It's the fastest way to hold your design in your hand.
Design tips (DFM: designing so it's easy to make)
- 01Choose the process for the need: SLA for detail, SLS/MJF for tough nylon parts
- 02Keep walls above about 1 mm (check with the bureau)
- 03Add escape holes to hollow parts
- 04Expect visible layer lines unless you order finishing
Shops for this process
Sino-British founders (CEO Vader Yu and James Murphy) and English-speaking project managers
Shenzhen · Bao'anMakes in-housePrototypesLow volumeMass production
CNC machining3D printingUrethane / vacuum castingSheet metal fabrication
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Chinese
Automotive white-body stamping prototypes and full-size show-car models
Shenzhen · Bao'anMakes in-housePrototypesLow volume
Rapid prototyping (multi-process)CNC machiningSheet metal fabricationMetal stamping
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Kaierwo
凯尔沃New-energy prototypes: battery packs, charger housings, inverters, cooling modules
Shenzhen · GuangmingMakes in-housePrototypesLow volumeMass production
Rapid prototyping (multi-process)CNC machiningUrethane / vacuum casting3D printing
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Open-hardware maker brand (400+ own boards) that also assembles customers' PCBs
Shenzhen · Bao'anIn-house + partnersPrototypesLow volume
PCB assembly (SMT/PCBA)PCB fabricationElectronic component sourcing3D printing
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Instant online PCB quotes, prototypes from US$5 for 10 boards
Shenzhen · Bao'anMakes in-housePrototypesLow volume
PCB fabricationPCB assembly (SMT/PCBA)CNC machining3D printing
English online orderingSource ↗
Chinese
Instant online quotes with automated DFM feedback for mechanical parts
Shenzhen · Bao'anIn-house + partnersPrototypesLow volumeMass production
CNC machiningInjection moldingSheet metal fabrication3D printing
English online orderingSource ↗
Seeed Studio
矽递科技Open Parts Library of 150,000+ in-stock components for turnkey PCBA
Shenzhen · NanshanPrototypesLow volumeMass production
PCB fabricationPCB assembly (SMT/PCBA)CNC machining3D printing
English online orderingSource ↗
Tuowei Precision
拓维模型130+ CNC centres, SLA printers, vacuum casting and molding on a 10,000 m² site
Shenzhen · Bao'anMakes in-housePrototypesLow volume
Rapid prototyping (multi-process)CNC machiningUrethane / vacuum casting3D printing
English-speaking salesSource ↗
Get 3 quotes
Get 3 quotes: 3D printing
Describe the part once. We send it to up to 3 shops that fit, and they quote you directly.
7 guides
Guides & articles
Everything we've written about 3D printing, starting with the basics.
Start here10 min
Which 3D printing process? SLA vs SLS vs MJF
The three 3D printing processes most used for professional prototypes and small batches, explained in plain words. How each works, how the parts look and behave, and which one to choose.
→
01Choosing · 7 min3D printing vs CNC for prototypes
Should your prototype be 3D printed or CNC machined? A plain-English comparison of cost, speed, strength, materials, looks and design freedom, with a simple decision guide.
02Basics · 10 minWhat is rapid prototyping? A plain-English guide
What rapid prototyping means, the main methods (3D printing, CNC machining, urethane casting), how many rounds to expect, and how Shenzhen's prototype shops work.
03Basics · 9 minWhat is vacuum casting? A plain-English guide
How vacuum casting (urethane casting) works, why it's used for 10 to 50 molded-looking parts, what materials and finishes it offers, and how to order it in Shenzhen. Written for first-timers.
04Choosing · 7 minChoosing a prototyping method: 3D printing vs CNC vs urethane casting
A simple comparison of the three main prototyping methods by speed, cost, strength, look and quantity, plus a quick way to pick the right one for each part.
05Cost · 8 min50 parts: casting vs printing vs molding
You need around 50 plastic parts. Should you 3D print them, vacuum cast them, or make a mold? A plain-English comparison of cost, speed, looks and material, with a simple way to compare quotes.
06Basics · 6 minLooks-like vs works-like prototypes
Why most hardware teams build two different kinds of prototype, what each one is for, and when to combine them into a single "looks-like, works-like" build.
Common questions
Can printed parts be used in products?
MJF and SLS nylon parts are used in low-volume products; check material data for your use.
Is metal printing practical?
Yes for complex small parts, but it's expensive compared with CNC for simple shapes.