Prototypes and batches of 1 to 200
5-Axis CNC Prototype Machining, Matched to the Right Shop
Send one drawing. We match it with shops that run simultaneous 5-axis every day and still take one-piece orders. Reply within 24 business hours.
Why buyers send 5-axis prototype work here
It comes down to the match: shops that fit your part, from the first quote.
Matched by specialization
Your RFQ goes to up to 3 shops that run simultaneous 5-axis on prototypes and short runs, picked for your 5-axis type, material, quantity and tolerance. Not a general directory.
Professional suppliers
Shops in the network quote to your drawing, communicate clearly and keep you updated while your parts are made.
You deal with the shop
Quotes, price, terms and delivery are agreed between you and the shop. Free for buyers.
Why a 5-axis prototype is a different job
A production shop is tuned for the thousandth part. A prototype is the first part, often the only one, and it will change next week.
- Programming firstMost of the cost sits in CAM and setup, not in spindle time. A shop that programs 5-axis fast quotes prototypes lower.
- One setupReaching five faces in one clamping keeps features on different sides in position without a dedicated fixture.
- RevisionsRev B should not cost as much as Rev A. Shops that keep your program and edit it save you the second time.
- Real materialA machined prototype is tested in the alloy you will ship, which a printed part cannot always give you.
Simultaneous 5-axis or 3+2 for your prototype?
Many shops that advertise 5-axis only index the table and cut like a 3-axis mill. That is fine for many parts and wrong for others. Tick what your part has.
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Three ways to machine the same prototype
The machine type changes how many setups the shop needs and how much programming it pays for. Both change your quote.
| 3-axis, several setups | 3+2 positional | Simultaneous 5-axis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it cuts | Part is re-fixtured for each side | Table tilts, locks, then cuts like 3-axis | All five axes move during the cut |
| Good for | Simple blocks, few faces | Angled holes and faces on many sides | Blades, impellers, blends, freeform |
| Setups on a typical prototype | Three or more | One or two | One or two |
| CAM time | Low per setup | Moderate | Highest, needs continuous toolpaths |
| Risk on a 1-off | Features drift between setups | Low for prismatic parts | Low if the shop has done similar shapes |
From first part to bridge batch
Low volume 5-axis machining covers several stages. Tell us which one you are in so we match shops that work at that pace. Lead times are typical and depend on material, finish and the shop's queue.
| Stage | Quantity per revision | What matters most | Typical lead time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proof of concept | 1 to 3 pcs | Speed and fit. Loose tolerances except where parts mate. | about 1 to 2 weeks |
| Functional prototype | 2 to 10 pcs | Real material, real tolerances on the features you test. | about 2 to 3 weeks |
| Pilot batch | 10 to 50 pcs | Repeatable fixturing, first article inspection, stable program. | about 3 to 5 weeks |
| Bridge to production | 50 to 200 pcs | Cost per part, finishing and inspection plan you can carry forward. | about 4 to 6 weeks |
Materials and typical tolerances
What to expect when you ask a 5-axis prototype shop to quote in each material. These are typical ranges, not promises. The shop that quotes you confirms what it can hold on your geometry.
| Material | What changes on a prototype | Typical tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum 6061 / 7075 | Fastest to cut and the usual first prototype material. 7075 when strength matters. | ±0.01 to ±0.025 mm is common |
| Stainless 303 / 316L / 17-4 | Slower and harder on tools. 303 machines easiest if corrosion needs allow it. | ±0.01 to ±0.025 mm is common |
| Titanium Grade 5 | Low heat, rigid setups, fresh tools. Plan more time per part than aluminum. | ±0.015 to ±0.025 mm is common |
| Inconel 718 | Few prototype shops take it. Expect longer quotes and higher tool cost. | ±0.025 mm is a safer target |
| PEEK, POM, Ultem | Light cuts and careful clamping. Plastics move with heat and moisture. | ±0.05 mm is realistic |
| Brass and copper | Cut quickly and leave good finish. Copper burrs need attention on edges. | ±0.01 to ±0.025 mm is common |
Tolerance classes follow ISO 2768 unless your drawing says otherwise.
Prototype work we match
Each industry brings its own paperwork. Mention material certs, first article inspection or cleanliness rules in your RFQ so we match shops that already work that way.
Robotics
Wrist housings, end effectors and lightweight arms that change every design loop.
Medical devices
Instrument bodies and test fixtures in titanium, 316L and PEEK.
Aerospace and UAV
Brackets, manifolds and blade samples. Export-controlled drawings need screening first.
Energy and fluid
Impellers, valve bodies and pump parts with blended ports.
Semiconductor tools
Chamber parts and wafer handling pieces with flat, clean faces.
Motorsport and mobility
Uprights, intake runners and one-off parts on short deadlines.
How it works
One RFQ from you. A short list of shops that fit. No bidding platform and no middleman on the order.
Send your RFQ
Upload a STEP file and a PDF drawing. Tell us the stage, material, quantity and tightest tolerance. It takes about three minutes.
We match up to 3 shops
We read the geometry, decide whether it needs simultaneous or 3+2 and pick shops whose machines, envelope and materials fit. You hear from us within 24 business hours.
Shops quote you directly
Each matched shop contacts you with a quote and questions. You compare, then order from the one you choose. Nothing passes through us.
What drives the price of a 5-axis prototype
Five things decide most prototype quotes. Some of them you can change on the drawing before you send it.
- ProgrammingContinuous 5-axis toolpaths take hours of CAM and simulation. On one or two pieces this is often the largest line.
- Setup and fixturingA prototype rarely has a dedicated fixture. Shops use vises, soft jaws or a sacrificial tab, and the time is paid once per order.
- MaterialTitanium and nickel alloys cost more per kilo and cut several times slower than aluminum.
- Tolerance and finishEach step tighter than function needs adds machine time and inspection. Mark only the features that matter.
- Quantity per revisionFive pieces of one revision cost far less each than one piece of five revisions. Group changes when you can.
Have a drawing ready?
Send the short version now and we will ask for anything missing. To give full details up front, including stage, tolerance and supplier region, use the full RFQ form.
Your files go only to the shops we match. Ask for an NDA and nothing is shared until it is signed.
Work with us from the supply side
Buyers get quotes from shops. Shops get requests that fit their machines. Vendors reach the shops that cut this work.
Run a 5-axis machine shop?
Preview each prototype RFQ before you take it and quote the buyer directly. No commission on the order.
Register your shopSell to prototype shops?
Tooling, workholding, CAM, material, inspection or finishing for short runs. Tell us what you offer.
Tell us what you sellQuestions buyers ask
Something else? Email .
Do you machine the parts yourselves?
No. We are a matching service, not a machine shop. The shops we match run the machines, quote you directly and you place the order with them.
Is it free for buyers?
Yes. Sending an RFQ and receiving quotes costs you nothing. Price, terms and delivery are agreed between you and the shop.
What quantities fit this service?
One piece up to about 200 pieces per revision. Larger production runs are welcome to ask, but the shops we match are chosen for short runs and fast changes.
How do you know a shop really runs simultaneous 5-axis?
We ask for machine model and control, the CAM system used and examples of continuous toolpath work. A shop that only indexes the table is matched to 3+2 parts, not to blades or blended surfaces.
Who sees my drawing?
Shops first see a short preview with part type, material, size, quantity and tolerance. It has no name, company or files. Your contact details and files go only to the shops we match, up to 3. Ask for an NDA and we hold the files until it is signed.
Which files should I send?
A STEP file for the geometry and a PDF drawing with tolerances, threads and finish notes. IGES, DWG and DXF also work. STEP plus PDF gets the most accurate quotes.
Guides for 5-axis prototype buyers
- Design
Aluminum Alloys for 5-Axis Prototypes: 6061, 7075 and 2024
Aluminum prototype machining compared across 6061, 7075 and 2024: strength, corrosion, anodizing, weldability and cost. Pick the alloy before you request quotes.
- Process
Aerospace Bracket Prototypes: 5-Axis Parts Before Qualification
Aerospace prototype machining for brackets: pocketed webs, 7075 and titanium, first article records and what to ask before parts enter qualification.
- Design
Fixturing a 5-Axis Prototype: Dovetails, Pull Studs and Soft Jaws
5 axis prototype fixturing compared: dovetail clamps, pull studs, soft jaws, tabs and vacuum. What each leaves on your part and how to design for the grip.