Les prototypes sont essentiels pour valider la conception des produits, mais leurs prix peuvent varier considérablement – de 50 yuans à dizaines de milliers de yuans par pièce. Comprendre les facteurs à l'origine de ces différences de prix et comment estimer les coûts avec précision aide les entreprises à optimiser leurs budgets et à éviter les dépenses excessives.. Cet article détaille les fourchettes de prix des types de prototypes courants, core cost-influencing factors, and practical tips for cost reduction, with clear tables and examples to simplify decision-making.
1. Price Ranges of Common Prototype Types
Different prototype technologies and materials target distinct use cases, leading to significant price gaps. Below is a detailed breakdown of typical prices for mainstream options.
1.1 Prototype Price by Technology & Matériel
| Prototype Type | Material/Process | Unit Price Range (CNY) | Weight/Size Reference | Applicable Scenarios |
| 3D Printing Prototype | PLA/ABS Plastic | 50 – 200 / piece | 100 – 500g; petites pièces (par ex., 10cm×10cm×5cm) | Appearance verification (par ex., plastic housing mockups) |
| Résine (Photosensitive) | 200 – 800 / piece | 50 – 300g; high-detail parts | Fine-surface prototypes (par ex., boîtiers d'appareils électroniques) | |
| CNC Machining Prototype | Alliage d'aluminium (6061) | 300 – 800 / piece | Pièces simples (par ex., 15cm×8cm×5cm cubes) | Functional testing (par ex., dissipateurs de chaleur, supports structurels) |
| Acier inoxydable (304) | 800 – 2,000 / piece | Pièces complexes (surfaces courbes, fils de discussion) | Corrosion-resistant components (par ex., luminaires industriels) | |
| Copper/Zinc Alloy | 1,000 – 3,000 / piece | Medium-size parts (par ex., 20cm×10cm×8cm) | High-conductivity parts (par ex., connecteurs électriques) | |
| Metal 3D Printing Prototype | Acier inoxydable | 800 – 3,000 / piece | 50 – 200g; intricate structures | Géométries complexes (par ex., cavités internes, lattice parts) |
| Alliage de titane | 3,000 – 5,000+ / piece | 30 – 150g; pièces performantes | Dispositifs médicaux, composants aérospatiaux | |
| Silicone Duplicate Prototype | Silicone + Matériau de base (Plastic/Metal) | 100 – 500 / piece | Same as original prototype | Small-batch reproduction (5 – 50 pièces; no mold needed) |
| Sheet Metal Prototype | Cold-Rolled Steel/Aluminum | 500 – 3,000 / piece | Grandes pièces (par ex., 50cm×30cm×10cm casings) | Metal enclosures, châssis (par ex., server racks, equipment housings) |
1.2 Price Comparison: Prototyping vs. Mass Production
Many businesses wonder when to switch from prototyping to mass production. The table below highlights cost differences:
| Production Stage | Technologie | Unit Price (CNY) | MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) | Idéal pour |
| Prototypage | Usinage CNC | 300 – 2,000 | 1 – 10 pièces | Design iterations, small-scale testing |
| 3D Impression | 50 – 800 | 1 – 20 pièces | Rapid design validation | |
| Mass Production | Moulage par injection | 100 – 300 | 50+ pièces (requires mold) | Large-volume plastic parts (par ex., électronique grand public) |
| Moulage sous pression | 200 – 500 | 100+ pièces (requires mold) | Large-volume metal parts (par ex., auto components) |
2. Core Factors Influencing Prototype Prices
Prototype costs are not arbitrary—they are driven by five key factors. Understanding these helps you adjust requirements to fit budgets.
2.1 Factor Breakdown with Cost Impact
| Facteur | Description | Cost Impact Example | How to Adjust to Reduce Costs |
| Coût du matériel | Raw material prices vary by type and purity. | – Plastique (ABS): Faible coût (100 – 500 CNY/piece)- Alliage de titane: High cost (3,000+ CNY/piece) | Use cost-effective alternatives (par ex., aluminum instead of titanium for non-critical parts) |
| Process Complexity | Simple structures (cubes) contre. complex designs (surfaces courbes, thin walls ≤1mm). | – Simple CNC part: 300 CNY- 5-axis CNC part (complex curves): 1,500 CNY (5x higher) | Avoid unnecessary features (par ex., trous profonds, ultra-thin walls); simplify geometries |
| Taille & Précision | Larger parts require more material; tolérances plus strictes (±0,05 mm par rapport à. ±0,1mm) need more time. | – Tolérance de ±0,1 mm (CNC): 500 CNY- Tolérance de ±0,05 mm (CNC): 800 CNY (60% plus haut) | Use standard tolerances (±0,1mm) for non-critical dimensions; split large parts if possible |
| Traitement de surface | Basic (polissage) contre. high-demand (galvanoplastie, anodization) traitements. | – Polissage: +50 – 200 CNY/piece- Anodization + laser engraving: +300 – 600 CNY/piece | Choose basic treatments for internal/non-visible parts; skip electroplating if corrosion resistance isn’t needed |
| Quantity | Single-piece vs. commandes en petits lots (suppliers offer discounts for volume). | – 1 CNC part: 1,000 CNY- 5 CNC parts: 3,500 CNY (30% lower per piece) | Consolidate orders (par ex., order 5 pieces for design iterations instead of 1 à la fois) |
3. Practical Tips for Reducing Prototype Costs
Cost optimization doesn’t mean sacrificing quality—it means making strategic choices. Below are actionable tips to lower expenses.
3.1 Design Optimization Strategies
- Simplify Geometries: Remove non-functional details (par ex., decorative grooves) that increase machining time. Par exemple, a cube-shaped prototype costs 300 CNY, while the same size with curved edges costs 500 CNY.
- Merge Parts: Combine multiple small parts into one (par ex., an integrated bracket instead of 3 separate pieces) to reduce assembly and machining steps—saves 20 – 30% on labor and material waste.
- Standardize Sizes: Use common material sizes (par ex., 10cm×20cm aluminum sheets) to avoid cutting large blocks into small pieces (réduit les déchets de matériaux en 15 – 25%).
3.2 Processus & Supplier Selection Tips
- Match Process to Needs: Use 3D printing (50 – 200 CNY) for appearance checks instead of CNC (300+ CNY). Reserve CNC for functional prototypes that require high strength.
- Choose Local Suppliers: Suppliers in clusters like Shenzhen or Dongguan have mature supply chains—logistics costs are 10 – 20% lower than non-cluster areas, and communication is faster (fewer delays from misinterpretation).
- Negotiate for Small Batches: Ask suppliers for “iteration discounts”—many offer 30 – 50% off unit prices when ordering 5 – 10 pièces (contre. 1 piece).
3.3 Quick Cost Estimation Formula
For preliminary budget planning, use these simple formulas based on prototype type:
- 3D Impression (PLA/ABS): Cost ≈ (Weight in grams × 0.5 CNY/g) + 50 CNY (setup fee)
Exemple: A 200g part ≈ (200×0.5) + 50 = 150 CNY
- Usinage CNC (Aluminium): Cost ≈ (Machining time in hours × 100 CNY/hour) + Material cost
Exemple: 3-hour machining + 200 CNY material ≈ 3×100 + 200 = 500 CNY
4. Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Accurate Quotes
To avoid unexpected costs, follow this process when requesting quotes from suppliers.
4.1 Quote Request Checklist
- Provide Detailed 3D Drawings: Submit STEP, IGS, or STL files (not just 2D sketches) to avoid size/shape misinterpretation.
- Clarify Key Requirements:
- Matériel (par ex., “ABS plastic, 3mm thickness”)
- Précision (par ex., “±0.1mm for external dimensions, ±0.2mm for internal”)
- Traitement de surface (par ex., “matte painting, no logos”)
- Quantity (par ex., “1 piece for testing, 5 pieces for iteration”)
- Ask for a Breakdown: Request suppliers to split costs into material, usinage, traitement de surface, and setup fees—this helps identify areas to cut (par ex., if surface treatment is 40% of the cost, you can opt for a cheaper alternative).
- Compare 2 – 3 Fournisseurs: Don’t choose the cheapest option blindly—balance price with delivery time (par ex., un 10% higher quote with a 3-day turnaround may be better than a low quote with a 2-week wait).
Yigu Technology’s Viewpoint
For prototype pricing, balance between cost and purpose is key. Yigu Technology suggests businesses first define prototype goals: if it’s just appearance verification, 3Impression D (50 – 200 CNY) is sufficient; if it’s functional testing, Usinage CNC (300 – 2,000 CNY) is worth the investment. Material selection should align with use cases—avoid overspending on titanium alloy for non-critical parts when aluminum works. En plus, working with suppliers who offer one-stop services (usinage + traitement de surface) reduces hidden costs from outsourcing. Enfin, plan for small batches (5 – 10 pièces) to leverage volume discounts, even if you only need 1 piece immediately—this saves money on future iterations.
FAQ
- Why is metal 3D printing so much more expensive than CNC machining for the same material?
Metal 3D printing uses high-cost equipment (SLM/DMLS machines) and powdered materials (par ex., titanium powder is 10x more expensive than solid titanium). It also takes longer to build parts layer by layer, increasing labor and energy costs. Usinage CNC, par contre, removes material from solid blocks quickly—better for simple to moderately complex parts.
- Can I reduce prototype costs by using cheaper materials without affecting testing results?
Oui, if you choose alternatives with similar key properties. Par exemple:
- Use ABS plastic (faible coût) instead of PC plastic (coût élevé) for appearance prototypes (both have similar visual qualities).
- Use aluminum alloy (6061) instead of stainless steel (304) for structural tests if corrosion resistance isn’t a factor (both have comparable strength for prototypes).
- How much does surface treatment typically add to the total prototype cost?
It depends on the treatment type:
- Basic polishing or simple painting: 10 – 30% of the base machining cost (par ex., 50 – 200 CNY added to a 500 CNY CNC part).
- High-demand treatments (anodization + galvanoplastie): 50 – 100% of the base cost (par ex., 500 – 1,000 CNY added to a 1,000 CNY stainless steel part).
Always ask suppliers for a breakdown to decide if the treatment is necessary for your testing goals.