PARTS IN 1-3 DAYS
Quick-Turn Metal Prototyping
We don’t have minimums, we deliver the best parts for your money, and meet your deadlines!
Every job is unique, and many require special considerations for materials, finishing, custom work, or urgent delivery – your commercial quote will be turned around by seasoned estimators who confirm all aspects of your job.
“We are extremely happy with the quality of parts
received as well as the level of service…Thanks!”
–Micah H., VP Product Development
“Finding Prototek by chance was like hitting
the Strategic Sourcing Easy Button.”
– Brian H., Senior Designer
“On time and to Spec. To EVERYONE involved
producing quality parts a hearty thanks.”
– Jim T., Senior Product Engineer
“Fastest quoting & delivery I’ve ever
experienced, & the parts look great!”
– John H., Lead Mechanical Engineer
Amazing companies choose PROTOTEK for high-quality parts done fast!
Licenses, certifications
and real metal prototyping service
and real metal prototyping service
Expertise and quality are paramount. With more than three decades of experience in commercial metal prototyping, we’ve achieved a rich set of certifications and provide high-touch attention and service to every quote – and every job.
We engage with our customers to help them design better and more cost-effective parts. We want to be your one-stop shop for commercial sheet metal fabrication. Most of our business is from returning customers, and to achieve that, we strive to hit our customer’s deadlines across all project types.
Metal Prototyping – Working with PROTOTEK
Deep capabilities in commercial sheet metal and machining – design, metal prototyping, manufacturing, finishing, and even challenging assemblies.
What do we do?
- Sheet Metal Parts & Assemblies in 1-3 Days
- CNC Milled and Turned Parts in 1-3 Days
- Additive Manufactured Parts in 1 – 3 Days
- Expedited Jobs
About our fast, flexible, personalized service:
- ISO-9001:2015 Certified, ITAR Registered
- Quotes within 24 Hours
- Contact us about our expedited services
Our metal prototyping capabilities start below but they don’t stop there. Want to talk to someone about a job, upload a file for quote or call us now.
QUOTES WITHIN 24HRS
We accept these file types STP, PRT, IGS, DXF, STL, and more!
PARTS & ASSEMBLIES – ONE STOP SHOP
NO ORDER TOO SMALL
EXPEDITED PARTS IN 1-3 DAYS
Prototek's In-house Capabilities
Sheet Metal
- Manufacturing Design Assistance
- Laser Cutting - Punching
- Material Graining
- Drilling - Countersinking - Tapping
- Forming - Bending
- Hardware Insertion
- Mechanical Assembly
- TIG, MIG, Spot Welding & Weld Grinding
- Welded Assemblies & Frames
Machining
- Up to 5-Axis Milling
- Horizontal & Vertical Milling
- 9-Axis Mill-Turn
- Turning
- CNC Routing
- Surface Grinding
- Lapping & Polishing
- Welding / Post-Weld Machining
- Heli-Coils / Hardware Inserts
Cutting & Engraving
- Wire & Sinker EDM Cutting
- Waterjet Cutting
- CO2 Laser
- Fiberoptic
Quality Assurance
- Quality Engineering Assistance
- CMM Inspection Services
- First Article and AQL Inspections
- Compliance and Document Control
Plastic & Composite Fabrication
- Plastic Thermoforming - Bending
- Annealing
- Cryogenic Deflashing & Deburring
- Plastic Welding
- Thermal, Adhesive, & Mechanical Bonding
- Vapor Polishing
- Radiological Film-Cutting Services
Assembly
- Manufacturing Design Assistance
- Tooling and Fixture Fabrication
- Electro-Mechanical Services
- Welded, Mechanical, & Small Parts Assembly
- Wire Harnessing
- Laser Cutting – Polymers & Metals
- Insert Installation
Finishing
- Powder Coating
- Painting
- Chemical Agent Resistant Coating
- Silk Screening
- Laser Engraving
- Chem Film
- Anodizing
- Black Oxide
- Bead Blasting
- Tumbling
Additive Manufacturing
- Laser Sintering
- Multi Jet Fusion
- Stereolithography
- Digital Light Processing
- Fused Filament Fabrication
- Material Jetting
- Cast Urethane
Prototek – Metal Prototyping Made Simple
Our metal prototyping services involve creating a model of a product in order to ensure correct measurements and functionality of the part designed. Our customers use prototypes to evaluate and update parts before mass production begins. Our metal prototyping services get used frequently across a wide range of industries. You can find metal components in automotive, aviation, construction, medical, aerospace, technical design and other sectors due to the extreme advantages of metal components when engineering. So, if you’re looking for a company to handle your metal prototyping, contact Prototek.
What is Metal Prototyping?
In case you are new to the process, a prototype is a mock-up or preliminary draft of a part intended for eventual mass production. Long before production begins, prototypes get developed to allow designers to examine and modify the component.
In metal prototyping and metal prototype fabrication, prototypes get created from various materials, depending on the manufacturing process. One of the most efficient and extensively used in metal prototype fabrication is sheet metal, but other metals can be leveraged in metal prototyping. You can build a prototype out of aluminum, steel, or other materials, but be sure to contact us to get a sense of what metals can be used for your specific metal prototyping needs.
Materials We Use in Metal Prototyping
Here are materials available for your metal prototyping project:
| Metal Prototyping Material | Grade / Alloy | Max. Sheet Material Thickness (in) | Heat Treatable | Tensile Strength (Ultimate, PSI) | Fatigue Strength (PSI) | Hardness (Brinell) | Machinability (AISI Rating) | Metal Prototyping Material | Grade / Alloy | Max. Sheet Material Thickness (in) | Heat Treatable | Tensile Strength (Ultimate, PSI) | Fatigue Strength (PSI) | Hardness (Brinell) | Machinability (AISI Rating) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 1100-0 | 0.190 | No | 13000 | 5000 | 23 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 1100-H14 | 0.190 | No | 18000 | 7200 | 32 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 2024-0 | 0.125 | Yes | 27000 | 13000 | 47 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 2024-T3 | 0.190 | Yes | 63800 | 20000 | 120 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 2024-T81 | 0.090 | Yes | 70300 | 19000 | 128 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 3002-0 | 0.125 | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | 360% |
| Aluminum | 3003-0 | 0.800 | No | 16000 | 7300 | 28 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 3003-H14 | 0.190 | No | 23000 | 8700 | 42 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 3003-H22 | 0.250 | No | 20000 | 10000 | 37 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5005-H14 | 0.130 | No | 24000 | 9900 | 48 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5005-H34 | 0.130 | No | 23000 | 11000 | 43 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5052-H32 | 0.220 | No | 34000 | 17000 | 60 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5052-H34 | 0.125 | No | 37000 | 18000 | 68 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5083-H116 | 0.190 | No | 47000 | 23000 | 83 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 5086-H116 | 0.190 | No | 44000 | 22000 | 81 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 6061-0 | 0.190 | Yes | 19000 | 8800 | 33 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 6061-T4 | 0.190 | Yes | 33000 | 14000 | 63 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 6061-T6 | 0.190 | Yes | 45000 | 14000 | 93 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 7075-0 | 0.190 | Yes | 35000 | 18000 | 59 | 360% |
| Aluminum | 7075-T6 | 0.190 | Yes | 83000 | 23000 | 150 | 360% |
| Copper | C11000 | 0.140 | No | 25000-29000 | 11000-17000 | 82-92 | 60% |
| Stainless Steel | 301 | 0.125 | Yes | 85000-210000 | 31000-88000 | 190-440 | N/A |
| Stainless Steel | 304 | 0.250 | Yes | 84000-170000 | 30000-63000 | 170-360 | 40% |
| Stainless Steel | 304L | 0.250 | Yes | 78000-170000 | 25000-62000 | 160-350 | 40% |
| Stainless Steel | 316 | 0.250 | Yes | 76000-170000 | 30000-63000 | 160-360 | 36% |
| Stainless Steel | 316L | 0.250 | Yes | 77000-170000 | 25000-65000 | 170-350 | 36% |
| Titanium | 6AL-4V | 0.125 | Yes | 131000 | 74000 | 334 | 22% |
| Titanium | 6AL-4V ELI | 0.125 | Yes | 125000 | 20300 | 326 | 22% |
| Titanium | 3Al 2.5 | 0.171 | No | 89900 | 24700 | 256 | N/A |
Metal Prototype Design Considerations
In general, metal prototype fabrication refers to manipulating materials to manufacture a piece of metal for a final product. It entails the cutting, shaping and finishing of the select metal. Metal prototyping is a common procedure through many industries, including medical devices, computers, electronics and appliances. However, regardless of the industry or end product, there are several design considerations that need to be considered for any metal prototyping project. Here is a list of the design elements to keep in mind:
-
Bends
Bending is used to form a material to a specific shape or shapes through the application of force. It is one of the most common sheet metal design methods and may also be called press braking, flanging, die bending, folding or edging.
-
Wall Thickness
The thickness of the sheet metal will affect how it should be handled and the force needed to apply design methods.
-
Bend Relief
An incision cut along the sides of a proposed bend in sheet metal to prevent tearing and part deformation during the bending process. Bend relief lengths and widths vary between projects and depending on the metal used.
-
Slots and Holes
Holes and slots must be at least as wide in diameter as the material is thick. It’s also important to consider distance from the edge.
-
Tabs and Notches
Tabs and notches also come with distinct requirements for effective metal fabrication. Notches must be at least the thickness of the material or 0.04 in. (1.016mm), whichever is greater, and no more than 5 times the width of the material. Tabs must be at least 2 times the thickness of the material or 0.126 in. (3.200mm), whichever is greater, and no more than 5 times the width.
-
Hems
Hemming is a metalworking technique that involves rolling the edge of sheet metal over and onto itself, forming a two-layer field. There are two types of hems, open and closed. The tolerance of a hem is dependent upon the hem’s radius, material thickness and features near the hem.
-
Countersinks
Conical holes are cut into a manufactured item to allow a screw, nail or bolt to be inserted flush with the surface.
-
Offsets
Offsets are used to create Z-shaped profiles in sheet metal parts.
Metal prototyping is beneficial to ensure the safety and strength of the materials when used in a particular project. Moreover, getting the exact measurements are of great help, whether in rapid metal prototyping or custom metal prototyping, to ensure the fit, strength and lifespan of the end product. So, if you are looking for metal prototyping, contact us today for a quote.
Prototek
215 Devcon Dr.
San Jose, CA 95112
Directions
Sac EDM a Prototek Company
11341 Sunrise Park Dr.
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
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Midwest Prototyping a Prototek Company
1100 W 120th Ave #100
Westminster, CO 80234
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Prototek
900 Cheyenne Ave.
Grafton, WI 53024
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Midwest Prototyping a Prototek Company
10949 Blackhawk Dr
Blue Mounds, WI 53517
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Prototype Solutions Group a Prototek Company
1621 Indianhead Drive
Menomonie, WI 54751
Directions
Prototek
205 Pine St.
Contoocook, NH 03229
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Prototek
244 Burnham Intervale Rd.
Contoocook, NH 03229
Directions
ProtoCAM A Prototek Company
6620 Grant Way
Allentown, PA 18106
Directions
Prototek Trending Topics
Sheet Metal
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- Rapid Sheet Metal Services
- Sheet Metal Prototyping
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- Sheet Metal Fab
- Sheet Metal Services
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- Waterjet Cutting
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a broker or a manufacturer?
We are a full service sheet metal and machining manufacturer with four U.S. production facilities across the nation allowing us to deliver your high-quality parts FAST.
Does PROTOTEK manufacture in higher-volume quantities?
We focus on prototypes to low-volume production and can do larger runs. All our parts, from one – to 100 – to 1,000+ are always delivered with production-quality finish.
What are your payment terms?
PROTOTEK offers Net 30 payment terms for established customers with good credit.
What file formats are required or suggested for requesting a quote?
We accept .STP, .DWG, .IGS, .PDF, Parasolid files, and more.
What if I need help with my part design?
Our estimators are on hand to discuss your specific job needs. Our expert team can help you move your project smoothly through the design process and on to delivery.
If I do not have a CAD model, can you quote/fabricate my parts?
Yes, we can work directly from your drawings. Additional engineering charge (NRC) may apply depending on complexity.
How do I submit my NDA and other document requests?
Submit your NDA, Approved Vendor and other document requests to your sales rep or estimator.
How long is a quote valid?
Our quotes stand firm for 7 days from the date of issue.
How fast can I get my order?
Lead time for standard orders is 10 business days. Expediting options are available, including emergency service – down to as fast as 1-2 business days, depending on complexity of work and materials.
