The Top Chinese Rapid Prototyping Partner
Custom Rapid Prototyping Services
Get innovative injection molded parts with RPD. We provide custom molds designed to your exact specifications from prototype to production at competitive prices with fast lead times. Our experts handle the complexity，help you get to market faster. Ready to elevate your production? Let’s go !
- RPD Provide 24/7 Engineering Support All Year Round.
- All tools and dies are engineered and produced in house
- More Than 60+ Certified Materials for Choose. Offer CoCs, Material Certifications, Inspection Reports.
- ISO 9001:2015 quality standards.
- Expert DFM & process optimization
What is Rapid Prototyping?
Rapid prototyping offers a fast and cost-effective way to turn early design concepts into physical models, providing an efficient path to bring ideas to life. Using advanced technologies such as 3D printing, vacuum casting, laser cutting, and CNC machining, we typically deliver prototypes within 3 to 10 business days — significantly shortening product development cycles.
Choosing to prototype is essential for accelerating the design process and reducing the financial and operational risks associated with new product development. It enables thorough testing and continuous optimization, ensuring that each iteration is an improvement over the last. This process supports better decision-making early in the development cycle and helps avoid costly changes later on.
What’s advantages of Rapid Prototyping?
Consistent Quality & High Repeatability
Tooling produces identical parts every cycle， part #1 and part #1,000,000 are nearly the same. This minimizes scrap, reduces rejects, and ensures reliable quality for high-volume production.
Very High Production Speed
Tooling enables extremely fast cycle times: injection molding in seconds, Without tooling, each part would take hours (machining, manual fabrication).
Low Cost when High Volume
High upfront tooling cost is spread across tens of thousands to millions of parts. The more you produce, the cheaper each part becomes pennies at very high volume.
Minimal Material Waste
Tooling-based processes (injection molding, die casting, stamping) achieve 85–99% material utilization, far better than CNC machining. Less scrap means lower material cost plus better sustainability.
Complex Geometries & Fine Details
Tooling produces intricate shapes, thin walls, undercuts, threads, and surface textures that would be impossible or extremely expensive to machine individually. All features are built into the mold or die.
Automated Operation & Wide Material Range
It works seamlessly with robotic part handling and inspection systems, reducing labor costs and enabling lights-out manufacturing. Material versatility, works with both plastic and metal, even composite materials.
Rapid Prototyping Capabilities
Rapid Prototyping
CNC machining is ideal for rapid prototyping when parts must be tested in final materials. We provide 3‑, 4‑, and 5‑axis milling and turning with precision up to ±0.005 mm — perfect for high‑accuracy functional prototypes and components.
With expertise in a wide range of metals and plastics, we deliver high‑quality CNC prototypes fast — typically in 2‑3 days.
Rapid Sheet Metal Fabrication
Fast sheet metal fabrication is ideal for producing functional metal parts such as brackets, enclosures, and structural components — particularly those with relatively flat or simple geometries.
Our capabilities include laser cutting, CNC bending, and surface finishing. To add complexity, sheet metal parts can be further refined through CNC machining — for example, creating countersunk holes, cutouts, and other precision features.
Rapid injection molding
Rapid tooling is ideal for high-precision product evaluation and for creating bridge tooling during product launch transitions. Initial parts from rapid injection molding typically require a lead time of 2 to 3 weeks.
Our expertise ensures you receive reliable and accurate prototypes, allowing you to test dozens or even hundreds of near-production parts — enabling efficient product development and validation.
Rapid 3D Printing Prototyping
3D printing is an efficient and flexible additive manufacturing process. Using technologies such as SLA, SLS, FDM, and MJF, it is one of the fastest and most adaptable methods for rapid prototyping. The process enables the production of concept parts using plastics, metals, or elastomers. We also offer advanced surface finishing options, including polishing, clear coating, and painting.
With these technologies, our 3D printing service delivers high-precision, high-detail parts quickly and cost-effectively. It is ideally suited for producing complex geometries, supporting rapid design iterations, and enabling cost-efficient design validation typically within 2 to 3 business days.
Rapid Vacuum Casting Prototyping
Polyurethane casting is a widely used prototyping method for producing high‑quality plastic parts in small volumes. While polyurethane parts may not achieve the same durability and precision as injection‑molded components, they closely mimic the look and feel of production‑grade plastics. This process enables the fast, cost‑effective production of detailed, high‑quality replicas — often with no post‑processing required. With flexible color matching, polyurethane casting is ideal for appearance testing and proof‑of‑concept demonstrations.
Rapid Metal Casting
Rapid metal casting is an efficient and cost-effective method for producing high-quality metal prototypes, especially suited for low-volume production. By leveraging 3D printing technology to create low-cost molds, it enables the rapid casting of metal parts that closely resemble final production components.
A key advantage of this process is its ability to produce near-production-quality parts with excellent mechanical properties, including high strength. Rapid metal casting is suitable for large or complex parts and is compatible with subsequent machining operations, allowing for tight tolerances and custom surface finishes.
Why Choose RPD?
Professional CNC Machining, sheet fabrication, Injection Molding & rapid prototyping, Professional Services, Comprehensive A-Z Solutions.
Guaranteed Quality & Rigorous Inspection
Advanced Technology & Broad Capabilities
Technical Partnership & Engineering Support
Wide Material/Project Experience
Competitive Value & Cost Optimization
Speed & On-Time Delivery
Rapid Prototyping Material
We believe in using the highest quality materials for your tooling and molding project will booster your business. It’s important that your punch pressed parts are able to withstand the demands that will be put on them every day.
For Injection tooling, the tooling material including: tool steel，Stainless Steel, Aluminum, say S136, S136H, P20, NAK80, 718, 718H,316L, 6061, 7075, etc.
We offer a wide selection of industrial-grade materials for both prototyping and production, including common plastics like ABS, PC, PP, and PA, as well as high-performance, temperature-resistant options such as PEI and PPS. Visit our Material Guide for selection tips and recommendations.
Understanding material grades, properties, and trade-offs is key. Let us help you select the right material for your application. Contact us to explore more materials today!
ABS
ABS bridges the gap between engineering and commodity plastics offering excellent strength, great surface finish, easy processing, and low cost. That's why it's the go-to material for automotive, electronics, consumer, and industrial parts. More Metals
PE
PE processes easily and keeps costs low. It may not match engineering plastics in heat resistance or stiffness, but its chemical resistance, flexibility, and affordability make it ideal for packaging, containers, and consumer goods — balancing efficiency and cost. More Metals
PP
PP is the most widely used commodity plastic, known for heat resistance, flexural endurance, and chemical resistance. Strong yet flexible, it's the go-to material for food-contact products from containers and appliances to medical and automotive parts. More Metals
PS
PS is a typical hard and brittle material. Due to its high transparency, easy processability, dimensional stability, and extremely low cost, it is widely used in disposable consumer goods such as stationery, tableware, and home appliances. More Metals
PA/Nylon
With excellent wear resistance, self-lubrication, high tensile strength, toughness, and resistance to oils and most solvents (though moisture-absorbent), this material is ideal for injection-molded parts like gears, bearings, and automotive intake manifolds.
PC
Featuring excellent transparency, high impact resistance, good heat resistance, and dimensional stability, this material is well-suited for injection molding mobile phone cases, automotive lens covers, water containers, and medical housings.
POM
Offering high rigidity and hardness, it is known as "steel-like plastic". It features a very low coefficient of friction, excellent wear resistance, strong fatigue resistance, and good resilience. These properties make it ideal for injection molding precision parts such as gears, bearing cages, and valves.
PET
Food contact safe, non-toxic, and odorless, this material delivers good rigidity, creep resistance, high-temperature stability, and resistance to oils and most solvents. It's an ideal choice for applications in medical, electrical enclosure, and automotive sectors.
PEEK
A top-tier high-performance plastic, it withstands 260°C continuous use and resists nearly all chemicals. With excellent radiation/hydrolysis resistance, flame retardancy, and high strength, it's ideal for aerospace, medical, and petrochemical applications.
PEI
This amber, semi-transparent plastic resists heat up to 210°C and is inherently flame-retardant，no additives needed. With high strength, rigidity, and resistance to hydrolysis and most chemicals, it's ideal for medical devices, electronic connectors, and aerospace interiors.
PPS
Withstanding up to 260°C, PPS delivers excellent chemical resistance, inherent flame retardancy, high rigidity, and dimensional stability. It's ideal for under-hood automotive parts, electronic connectors, pumps, valves, and microwave brackets.
Our Rapid Prototyping capabilities
Contact us to explore more opinions today!
| Process/method | Best For | Key Benefits | Typical Lead Time | Tolerance |
| Rapid CNC Machining | Functional metal / plastic prototypes | Tight tolerances, production-grade materials | 3–5 working days | ±0.003-0.05mm |
| Rapid 3D Printing | Concept models or complex geometries | Fast turnaround, low cost, no tooling | 1–3 working days | ±0.1-0.3mm |
| Rapid Vacuum Casting | Appearance testing and proof‑of‑concept demonstrations | Smooth surface finish, low mold cost | 5–7 working days | ±0.05-0.2mm |
| Rapid Sheet Metal Fabrication | Enclosures & brackets, ect | Durable, quick forming | 5–7 working days | ±0.05-0.3mm |
| Rapid Metal Casting | small to medium batch order regular parts prototyping | excellent mechanical properties, including high strength | 5–8 working days | ±0.05-0.05mm |
| Rapid injection molding | High-precision plastic parts, small to medium batch order | Tight tolerances plastic parts | 7–15 working days | ±0.05-0.1mm |
Rapid Prototyping Surface Finishes
| Surface Finish Type | Description | Services | Typical Applications / Benefits | Applicable Materials | Price |
| As machined | The state of the workpiece without any additional, specialized surface finishing or deburring treatment | CNC machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Injection Molding, Die Casting 3D Printing, Vacuum Casting | Suitable for products or prototypes without additional requirements for surface treatment | Metal, plastic | $ |
| Smooth | Deburring treatment | CNC machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Injection Molding, Die Casting 4D Printing, Vacuum Casting | Suitable for products or prototypes without additional requirements for surface treatment | Metal, plastic | $ |
| Electroplating | In an electrolyte solution, metal ions are attached to the surface of the workpiece by an electric current | CNC machining, Sheet Metal fabrication, Injection Molding, Die Casting, 3D printing, Vacuum Casting | Excellent anti-corrosion & appearance. Chrome/nickel plating provides bright, wear-resistant surface. Improves hardness, wear resistance & conductivity. | Metal | $$ |
| Anodizing | Electrochemical process generates a hard and porous oxide film on the surface of metal, usually for aluminum. | CNC machining, Sheet metal fabrication，Die Casting | High corrosion & wear resistance, excellent decoration (various colors via dye adsorption), good insulation, and ideal as a coating substrate for enhanced adhesion. | Metal | $$ |
| Powder Coating | Attach dry powder coating to the workpiece through electrostatic adsorption, and then cure at high temperature | CNC machining, Sheet metal fabrication，Die Casting | Thicker, durable, wear/impact-resistant. Solvent-free, eco-friendly, recyclable. Textures: gloss, matte, sanding, wrinkles. | Metal | $$ |
| Painting | Atomize liquid coating with a spray gun and attach it to the surface of the workpiece. | CNC machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Injection Molding,Die Casting 3D Printing, Vacuum Casting | The colors are infinite, theoretically any color can be blended. Relatively low cost, suitable for various shapes and sizes. | Metal, plastic, ceramic, Composite materials | $$ |
| Brushing | Forms a continuous fine texture to improve appearance, slip resistance, and reduce light reflection | CNC machining, Sheet metal fabrication，Die Casting | Highly decorative, presenting a metallic texture, able to cover small scratches, and resistant to fingerprints | Metal | $$$ |
| Sand Blasting | Mechanical treatment of workpiece surface by cleaning, roughening, or finishing using high-speed sand flow impact. | CNC machining, Sheet metal fabrication，Die Casting | Obtain a uniform matte/frosted texture, clean the surface, and improve coating adhesion. | Metal, plastic, ceramic | $$ |
| Black Oxide | It is a chemical conversion process that generates a layer of magnetic iron oxide (Fe ∝ O ₄) film on the surface of steel or stainless steel. | CNC machining, Sheet metal fabrication，Die Casting | Excellent dimensional stability, rust prevention, anti-reflective, and wear resistance (with post-processing). Provides a durable matte black finish with strong adhesion, low cost | Metal | $$ |
Custom Parts For Different Industries
Provide CNC Machining One-Stop Services for Different Industries
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Which Process Should I Choose？
Rapid Prototyping Method Comparison
| Item Name | Rapid 3D Printing Prototype | Rapid Vacuum Casting Prototyping | Rapid injection molding | Rapid CNC Prototyping | Rapid Sheet Metal Fabrication | Rapid Metal Casting |
| Tooling Cost | $0 (no tooling) | $0 (no tooling) | $1000+ | $0 (no tooling) | Economy tooling | Economy tooling |
| Lead Time | 1–3 working days | 3–5 working days | 1-3 weeks | 3–5 working days | 5–7 working days | 5–7 working days |
| Part Quantity | 1-100 parts | 1-100 parts optional | 100-500+ parts optional | 1-200 parts optional | 20-200 parts optional | 1-500 parts optional |
| Tolerance | ±0.1-0.3mm | ±0.05-0.2mm | ±0.05-0.1mm | ±0.003-0.05mm | ±0.05-0.3mm | ±0.05-0.05mm |
| Surface Finish | Layer lines, requires post-processing | Smooth, minimal finishing | Superior, production-ready | Superior, production-ready | Superior, production-ready | Superior, production-ready |
| Complex Geometry | Excellent, any shape | Handles undercuts, fine details | Limited by mold design | Excellent | Simple shapes | Excellent |
| Material Options | Resin,ABS,PA,Nylon,Nylon+ glassfiber,red wax | Urethane varieties (flexible to rigid) | Wide range of thermoplastics | Metal & Plastic | Metal sheet, tube, ect | Metal |
| Design Changes | Instant, no cost penalty | Easy and cost-effective | cost-effective | Easy | Easy and cost-effective | Easy and cost-effective |
Would you like to start a project with us?
End-to-End 6D Solutions, From Concept to Mass Production. Integrated 5 Steps Quality Control Across Every Stage.
Phase 1: Material selection
The process encompasses: conducting a product feasibility analysis, specifying the manufacturing processes and materials choose, establishing tolerance standards, and formulating cost optimization strategies.
Phase 2: Rapid prototype Design
The scope includes leveraging mold flow analysis, design simulation, and structural optimization to guarantee high performance and superior manufacturability.
Phase 3: Manufacturing
Once you approve the quotation and determine the production method for the prototype, we will start the production process. Regarding the surface treatment, you can also choose the correct one from a wide range of processing options.
Phase 4: Testing
De-risks production by using in-house trials to verify parts function and confirm part quality.
Phase 5: Sample Confirmation
Before the final approval, provide the customers with satisfactory samples for evaluation and feedback.
Phase 6: Delivery
Thoroughly inspected and promptly shipped — your parts arrive fast, reliable, and ready for testing or presentation.
How can we work close with our client?
A – Z Assistance:
1)Our professional team will provide 24/7 Engineering Support
by one-on-one assistance.
2)Our experienced engineers will freely review and optimize your part designs (DFM), provide actionable feedback, and deliver competitive quotations, which all based on your design drawings, application requirements, and desired outcomes.
4)Throughout production, you’ll receive progress updates every 2–3 days.
5) Upon completion, we’ll share high-quality photos of finished parts and packaging, along with full documentation: inspection reports, shipping details, and material certifications.
Rapid Prototyping with Expert DFM & Engineering Support
What Our Engineering & DFM Support Includes?
Design Review
Analyze CAD models for manufacturability, tolerance feasibility, and material suitability
Material Selection
Recommend the optimal metal, plastic, or composite based on strength, cost, and application needs。
Design Optimization
Adjust sharp corners, deep cavities, thin walls, or hard-to-machine details for efficient production
Tolerance Analysis
Ensure critical dimensions are achievable while avoiding unnecessarily tight tolerances that drive up cost
Prototype Method Check
Identify the areas that may require special handling and ensure that the prototype production is completed in one go.
Cost Reduction Suggestions
Propose design changes that reduce cycle time, tool wear, or secondary operations
How to work with RPD?
Upload Design Drawing
- Send 2D/3D drawing online or by email
- Design Drawing format: STEP, IGES, DWG, PDF, STL, etc
- If you have multiple files, zip them or send by email to ashley@rdpmfg.com
DFM Analysis & Quote
- Our engineer team will review & analyze every file carefully.
- Request more details or provide optimize solution.
- Offer accurate quote with 6 hours.
Order Confirmation
- Confirm order & delivery details, sign the contract.
- Arrange & start to production.
- Check and confirm all details during production, Track every steps.
Parts Delivered
- Control quality during production.
- Provide order photos,inspection sheet and other request documents.
- Pack & label orders, then shipping.
FAQs About Our Rapid Prototyping Services
Why Tooling?
Tooling is the foundation of high-volume, repeatable manufacturing. Tooling turns a slow, manual process into a fast, automated, high-volume production system. If you need mass production, you must be choose tooling and molding production.
What kind of equipment do you use?
The molding workshop includes EDM, wire EDM, 50+CNC machining center, 50+injection machines ranging from 80 to 1000 tons, ect to meet different production requirements. Request equipment list, contact our team: ashely@rpdmfg.com.
Do you support export mold or production?
Yes, exactly. We support both. You can either for use at your own facility or leave it with us for long-term molding production.
What is your quality control system?
We operate under a rigorous Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with ISO standards. Our 5 Steps QC process is including IQC (Incoming Quality Control) , FQC (Final Quality Control) , OQC (Outgoing Quality Control) for routine production.
QE (Quality Engineering) / CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Actions) implemented throughout the entire product lifecycle, especially during the post-sale stage, to drive continuous improvement. Simply speaking 100% inspection before shipment to ensure zero defects.
What kind of quality assurance or warranty do you offer on orders?
One of the reasons engineers purchase from RPD is that we take on all the risks for you. We guarantee you’ll love what you get. Not happy with it? We’ll either redo it or give you a full refund. Your purchase is completely risk-free.
Why injection tooling is so expensive?
Material – Hardened steel (costly but durable for high volume)
Complexity – CNC, EDM, polishing; multi-cavity, undercuts add cost
Precision – Tight tolerances require advanced equipment & skilled labor
Customization – Every mold is custom-built for a specific part
Engineering – Significant design time for cooling, ejection, and geometry
Which kind of file formats can I send for tooling& production?
We accept STEP, IGES, STL, DWG, DXF, and other common CAD formats.
What Factors will Influence Tooling Design?
1. Part Geometry – Shape, size, and complexity drive mold design. Thin walls, intricate details, and complex geometries require specialized features like additional cooling or advanced gating systems.
2. Material Selection – The plastic type affects cooling rates, shrinkage, and flow. Polypropylene shrinks more; polycarbonate needs higher mold temperatures. Abrasive or corrosive plastics also demand wear-resistant mold materials.
3. Tolerances & Precision – High-precision parts (automotive, medical) require tighter mold tolerances — which complicates design and increases cost.
4. Ejection System – Ejector pins, air blasts, or stripper plates must be carefully integrated to remove parts without damage — affecting both design and cycle time.
5. Gate Design – Gate type and location (direct, pin, edge) control how molten plastic enters the mold, impacting part quality, surface finish, and cycle time.
6. Undercuts & Parting Lines – Undercuts or complex shapes may require side actions or lifters to release the part, increasing mold complexity and cost.
Can we store the mold at your facility for future production orders? Do you provide free maintenance for the mold?
Yes, we offer two key benefits for molds set up at our facility: free storage and free maintenance.
CNC Resources
What is a CNC Machining Center?
A CNC machining center is an advanced, computer-controlled machine tool capable of performing multiple machining operations—such as milling, drilling, tapping, boring, and sometimes turning.
Ashely . March 9, 2026
How many kinds of Types in CNC Machining Centers?
There are at least 5 different CNC lathes type in Machining Centers: Vertical Machining Center, Horizontal Machining, 5-Axis Machining Center, Gantry / Bridge Mill, Turn-Mill Center (Multi-Tasking).
Ashely . March 9, 2026
What is CNC Machining?
CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining is a subtractive manufacturing process in which pre-programmed computer software controls the movement of factory tools and machinery to remove material from a solid workpiece, creating a finished part or product.
Ashely . March 9, 2026