What Factors Are Related To The Price Of Prototype Model Production?

What factors are related to the price of prototype model production?

It often happens that people who come into contact with prototype models for the first time will be confused about the price of prototype models. For the same model, there are big differences in the quotations of different manufacturers. In fact, there is a clear cost logic behind this. Knowing these pricing factors, what factors are related to the price of prototype model production, can give you more initiative in project planning and budget control.

Material cost

The basic cost is the raw materials used to make the prototype. Plastic materials such as common ABS and acrylic are relatively cheap. When using stainless steel, aluminum alloy or special engineering plastics, the purchase unit price will rise significantly, and the tool wear will be greater during processing, which indirectly increases the processing cost.

Different physical properties of materials determine the difficulty of processing. For example, metal materials have high hardness, which requires higher power and precision CNC equipment and special tools. All of these are factored into the final quotation. Material selection requires a balance between performance requirements and cost control.

Processing technology

Mainstream processes include CNC machining, 3D printing and vacuum molding. CNC processing is suitable for high-precision, high-strength metal or plastic parts, but its equipment depreciation and manual programming costs are high. 3D printing has a speed advantage in prototyping complex structures, but material selection and post-production strength may be limited.

Vacuum copy molding is suitable for small batches of replicas of existing prototypes . Prototype production includes metal riveting and welding . As the quantity increases, the cost of a single piece will decrease. The choice of process should be based on your comprehensive consideration of accuracy, strength, appearance and quantity. The more complex the process and the larger the equipment is put into production, the higher the unit price will undoubtedly rise accordingly.

structural complexity

What directly affects the material usage and processing time of the product is the three-dimensional size of the product. For a shell with a volume such as 30cm, 20cm, or 15cm, the machine tool processing time and material costs will be much higher than that of a small part with a side length of 10 centimeters. Usually, a higher basic quotation will be related to things that exist in the form of models under the concept of large-size dimensions.

Complex curved surfaces, as well as deep cavities, thin walls, or internal fine structures will greatly increase the difficulty of processing. For example, there is a component with many small heat dissipation teeth, which requires very small tools, slower feed speeds, and multi-axis machine tools. These factors will directly increase the processing cost.

Precision and surface treatment

The key that affects the price is the dimensional tolerance requirements. The tolerance of conventional prototypes is around ±0.1mm, and the cost can be controlled. Once the requirement reaches ±0.02mm or even higher precision, a higher-level machine tool needs to be used, operated by experienced technicians, and multiple measurements and calibrations must be performed. This will increase labor hours and losses.

Surface treatment includes simple grinding and sandblasting, as well as electroplating, oxidation, silk screen printing, laser engraving, etc. Every time a process is added, additional materials, labor, and equipment time will be required. For example, if there is a requirement for a mirror plating effect, it will have to go through multiple steps such as fine polishing, cleaning, and electroplating. Prototype model production includes metal riveting and welding , and the cost stackup is obvious.

Quantity and lead time

When making a prototype, you need to program the first piece, adjust the machine, and then test-cut it. These one-time costs will be spread evenly, and there is a significant scale effect in its production. If the quantity is increased to 5 pieces, or to 10 pieces, not only will the marginal cost decrease, but there will also be a considerable discount on the unit price. Trial production verification before mass production generally adopts small batch mode.

Due to the tight delivery time, the manufacturer will be forced to adjust the schedule, adopt expedited processing, follow-up by dedicated personnel, and even work overtime to rush the work. These additional resource allocations will incur expedited expenses. The normal cycle is about 5 to 7 working days for prototype model production including metal riveting and welding . Now it is reduced to 2 to 3 days for delivery, and the price may increase by 30% to 50%.

Other comprehensive factors

In the production process, design changes are a common cost variable. If the model is modified in the middle of processing based on new drawings, it may face reprogramming, material changes, and even the risk of scrapping the workpiece. The additional work hours and material loss generated by this part are generally borne by the customer.

The price will be affected by quality certification or special testing requirements. For example, a material testing report must be provided, third-party accuracy certification must be performed, or performance testing must be performed to simulate a specific environment. The costs of these services that are not part of the regular delivery scope must be calculated separately, and must be clearly communicated when making an inquiry.

In your past prototype production or product development experience, which cost factor surprised you the most, or did you think it was most necessary to plan in advance and control it? Welcome to share your experience in the comment area. If this article is helpful to you, please also like it and support it.