Prototypes are critical for validating product designs, but their prices can vary drastically—from 50 yuan to tens of thousands of yuan per piece. Understanding the factors driving these price differences and how to estimate costs accurately helps businesses optimize budgets and avoid overspending. This article breaks down the price ranges of common prototype types, 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
| Type de prototype | Material/Process | Fourchette de prix unitaire (Cny) | Weight/Size Reference | Scénarios applicables |
| 3Prototype d'impression D | PLA/ABS Plastic | 50 – 200 / morceau | 100 – 500g; petites pièces (Par exemple, 10cm×10cm×5cm) | Vérification de l'apparence (Par exemple, plastic housing mockups) |
| Résine (Photosensible) | 200 – 800 / morceau | 50 – 300g; high-detail parts | Fine-surface prototypes (Par exemple, Enveloppes de dispositifs électroniques) | |
| Prototype d'usinage CNC | Alliage en aluminium (6061) | 300 – 800 / morceau | Parties simples (Par exemple, 15cm×8cm×5cm cubes) | Tests fonctionnels (Par exemple, chauffer, supports structurels) |
| Acier inoxydable (304) | 800 – 2,000 / morceau | Parties complexes (surfaces courbes, fils de discussion) | Corrosion-resistant components (Par exemple, luminaires industriels) | |
| Copper/Zinc Alloy | 1,000 – 3,000 / morceau | Medium-size parts (Par exemple, 20cm×10cm×8cm) | High-conductivity parts (Par exemple, connecteurs électriques) | |
| Metal 3D Printing Prototype | Acier inoxydable | 800 – 3,000 / morceau | 50 – 200g; intricate structures | Géométries complexes (Par exemple, cavités internes, lattice parts) |
| Alliage en titane | 3,000 – 5,000+ / morceau | 30 – 150g; pièces haute performance | Dispositifs médicaux, composants aérospatiaux | |
| Silicone Duplicate Prototype | Silicone + Matériau de base (Plastic/Metal) | 100 – 500 / morceau | Same as original prototype | Small-batch reproduction (5 – 50 pièces; Aucun moule nécessaire) |
| Sheet Metal Prototype | Cold-Rolled Steel/Aluminum | 500 – 3,000 / morceau | Grosses pièces (Par exemple, 50cm×30cm×10cm casings) | Metal enclosures, chassis (Par exemple, supports de serveurs, equipment housings) |
1.2 Price Comparison: Prototypage vs. Production de masse
Many businesses wonder when to switch from prototyping to mass production. The table below highlights cost differences:
| Production Stage | Technologie | Prix unitaire (Cny) | MOQ (Quantité de commande minimale) | Mieux 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 | |
| Production de masse | Moulage par injection | 100 – 300 | 50+ pièces (requires mold) | Large-volume plastic parts (Par exemple, électronique grand public) |
| Moulage | 200 – 500 | 100+ pièces (requires mold) | Large-volume metal parts (Par exemple, composants automobiles) |
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 matériel | Raw material prices vary by type and purity. | – Plastique (Abs): Faible coût (100 – 500 CNY/piece)- Alliage en titane: Coût élevé (3,000+ CNY/piece) | Use cost-effective alternatives (Par exemple, aluminum instead of titanium for non-critical parts) |
| Complexité du processus | Simple structures (cubes) contre. conceptions complexes (surfaces courbes, thin walls ≤1mm). | – Simple CNC part: 300 Cny- 5-axis CNC part (courbes complexes): 1,500 Cny (5x plus haut) | Avoid unnecessary features (Par exemple, trous profonds, ultra-thin walls); simplify geometries |
| Taille & Précision | Larger parts require more material; tolérances plus étroites (±0,05 mm par rapport à. ± 0,1 mm) need more time. | – ± 0,1 mm de tolérance (CNC): 500 Cny- ± 0,05 mm de tolérance (CNC): 800 Cny (60% plus haut) | Utiliser des tolérances standard (± 0,1 mm) for non-critical dimensions; split large parts if possible |
| Traitement de surface | Basique (polissage) contre. high-demand (électroplaste, anodization) treatments. | – Polissage: +50 – 200 CNY/piece- Anodisation + gravure laser: +300 – 600 CNY/piece | Choose basic treatments for internal/non-visible parts; skip electroplating if corrosion resistance isn’t needed |
| Quantité | Single-piece vs. small-batch orders (suppliers offer discounts for volume). | – 1 CNC part: 1,000 Cny- 5 Pièces CNC: 3,500 Cny (30% lower per piece) | Consolidate orders (Par exemple, 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 exemple, 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 exemple, an integrated bracket instead of 3 des pièces séparées) to reduce assembly and machining steps—saves 20 – 30% on labor and material waste.
- Standardize Sizes: Use common material sizes (Par exemple, 10cm×20cm aluminum sheets) to avoid cutting large blocks into small pieces (réduit les déchets de matériel par 15 – 25%).
3.2 Processus & Supplier Selection Tips
- Match Process to Needs: Utiliser l'impression 3D (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 morceau).
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) + Coût matériel
Exemple: 3-usinage en heures + 200 CNY material ≈ 3×100 + 200 = 500 Cny
4. Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Accurate Quotes
Pour éviter des coûts inattendus, 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 exemple, “ABS plastic, 3mm thickness”)
- Précision (Par exemple, “±0.1mm for external dimensions, ±0.2mm for internal”)
- Traitement de surface (Par exemple, “matte painting, no logos”)
- Quantité (Par exemple, “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 exemple, if surface treatment is 40% du coût, you can opt for a cheaper alternative).
- Compare 2 – 3 Fournisseurs: Don’t choose the cheapest option blindly—balance price with delivery time (Par exemple, un 10% higher quote with a 3-day turnaround may be better than a low quote with a 2-week wait).
Point de vue de la technologie Yigu
For prototype pricing, balance between cost and purpose est la clé. Yigu Technology suggests businesses first define prototype goals: if it’s just appearance verification, 3D Impression (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 exemple, 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, en revanche, 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 exemple, 50 – 200 CNY added to a 500 CNY CNC part).
- High-demand treatments (anodization + électroplaste): 50 – 100% of the base cost (Par exemple, 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.