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 & Materiale
| Tipo di prototipo | Material/Process | Unit Price Range (Città di New York) | Weight/Size Reference | Applicable Scenarios |
| 3D Printing Prototype | PLA/ABS Plastic | 50 – 200 / piece | 100 – 500G; Piccole parti (PER ESEMPIO., 10cm×10cm×5cm) | Appearance verification (PER ESEMPIO., plastic housing mockups) |
| Resina (Photosensitive) | 200 – 800 / piece | 50 – 300G; high-detail parts | Fine-surface prototypes (PER ESEMPIO., involucri di dispositivi elettronici) | |
| CNC Machining Prototype | Lega di alluminio (6061) | 300 – 800 / piece | Parti semplici (PER ESEMPIO., 15cm×8cm×5cm cubes) | Test funzionali (PER ESEMPIO., dissipatori di calore, staffe strutturali) |
| Acciaio inossidabile (304) | 800 – 2,000 / piece | Parti complesse (superfici curve, Discussioni) | Corrosion-resistant components (PER ESEMPIO., industrial fixtures) | |
| Copper/Zinc Alloy | 1,000 – 3,000 / piece | Medium-size parts (PER ESEMPIO., 20cm×10cm×8cm) | High-conductivity parts (PER ESEMPIO., Connettori elettrici) | |
| Metal 3D Printing Prototype | Acciaio inossidabile | 800 – 3,000 / piece | 50 – 200G; intricate structures | Geometrie complesse (PER ESEMPIO., cavità interne, lattice parts) |
| Lega di titanio | 3,000 – 5,000+ / piece | 30 – 150G; parti ad alte prestazioni | Dispositivi medici, componenti aerospaziali | |
| Silicone Duplicate Prototype | Silicone + Materiale di base (Plastic/Metal) | 100 – 500 / piece | Same as original prototype | Small-batch reproduction (5 – 50 pezzi; Nessuno stampo necessario) |
| Sheet Metal Prototype | Cold-Rolled Steel/Aluminum | 500 – 3,000 / piece | Grande parti (PER ESEMPIO., 50cm×30cm×10cm casings) | Metal enclosures, chassis (PER ESEMPIO., rack server, equipment housings) |
1.2 Price Comparison: Prototipazione vs. Produzione di massa
Many businesses wonder when to switch from prototyping to mass production. The table below highlights cost differences:
| Production Stage | Tecnologia | Unit Price (Città di New York) | Moq (Quantità di ordine minimo) | Meglio per |
| Prototipazione | MACCHING CNC | 300 – 2,000 | 1 – 10 pezzi | Design iterations, small-scale testing |
| 3D Stampa | 50 – 800 | 1 – 20 pezzi | Rapid design validation | |
| Produzione di massa | Stampaggio a iniezione | 100 – 300 | 50+ pezzi (requires mold) | Large-volume plastic parts (PER ESEMPIO., Elettronica di consumo) |
| Morire casting | 200 – 500 | 100+ pezzi (requires mold) | Large-volume metal parts (PER ESEMPIO., 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
| Fattore | Descrizione | Cost Impact Example | How to Adjust to Reduce Costs |
| Costo materiale | Raw material prices vary by type and purity. | – Plastica (Addominali): Basso costo (100 – 500 CNY/piece)- Lega di titanio: Costo elevato (3,000+ CNY/piece) | Use cost-effective alternatives (PER ESEMPIO., aluminum instead of titanium for non-critical parts) |
| Process Complexity | Strutture semplici (cubi) contro. disegni complessi (superfici curve, thin walls ≤1mm). | – Simple CNC part: 300 Città di New York- 5-axis CNC part (complex curves): 1,500 Città di New York (5X più alto) | Avoid unnecessary features (PER ESEMPIO., buchi profondi, ultra-thin walls); simplify geometries |
| Misurare & Precisione | Larger parts require more material; tolleranze più strette (±0,05 mm rispetto a. ± 0,1 mm) need more time. | – ± 0,1 mm tolleranza (CNC): 500 Città di New York- ± 0,05 mm tolleranza (CNC): 800 Città di New York (60% più alto) | Usa tolleranze standard (± 0,1 mm) for non-critical dimensions; split large parts if possible |
| Trattamento superficiale | Di base (lucidare) contro. high-demand (elettroplazione, anodization) treatments. | – Lucidare: +50 – 200 CNY/piece- Anodizzazione + incisione laser: +300 – 600 CNY/piece | Choose basic treatments for internal/non-visible parts; skip electroplating if corrosion resistance isn’t needed |
| Quantità | Single-piece vs. small-batch orders (suppliers offer discounts for volume). | – 1 CNC part: 1,000 Città di New York- 5 Parti CNC: 3,500 Città di New York (30% lower per piece) | Consolidate orders (PER ESEMPIO., order 5 pieces for design iterations instead of 1 in un momento) |
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 (PER ESEMPIO., decorative grooves) that increase machining time. Per esempio, a cube-shaped prototype costs 300 Città di New York, while the same size with curved edges costs 500 Città di New York.
- Merge Parts: Combine multiple small parts into one (PER ESEMPIO., an integrated bracket instead of 3 pezzi separati) to reduce assembly and machining steps—saves 20 – 30% on labor and material waste.
- Standardize Sizes: Use common material sizes (PER ESEMPIO., 10cm×20cm aluminum sheets) to avoid cutting large blocks into small pieces (riduce i rifiuti materiali di 15 – 25%).
3.2 Processo & Supplier Selection Tips
- Match Process to Needs: Use 3D printing (50 – 200 Città di New York) for appearance checks instead of CNC (300+ Città di New York). 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 pezzi (contro. 1 piece).
3.3 Quick Cost Estimation Formula
For preliminary budget planning, use these simple formulas based on prototype type:
- 3D Stampa (PLA/ABS): Cost ≈ (Weight in grams × 0.5 CNY/g) + 50 Città di New York (setup fee)
Esempio: A 200g part ≈ (200×0.5) + 50 = 150 Città di New York
- MACCHING CNC (Alluminio): Cost ≈ (Machining time in hours × 100 CNY/hour) + Costo materiale
Esempio: 3-hour machining + 200 CNY material ≈ 3×100 + 200 = 500 Città di New York
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:
- Materiale (PER ESEMPIO., “ABS plastic, 3mm thickness”)
- Precisione (PER ESEMPIO., “±0.1mm for external dimensions, ±0.2mm for internal”)
- Trattamento superficiale (PER ESEMPIO., “matte painting, no logos”)
- Quantità (PER ESEMPIO., “1 piece for testing, 5 pieces for iteration”)
- Ask for a Breakdown: Request suppliers to split costs into material, lavorazione, Trattamento superficiale, and setup fees—this helps identify areas to cut (PER ESEMPIO., if surface treatment is 40% del costo, you can opt for a cheaper alternative).
- Compare 2 – 3 Fornitori: Don’t choose the cheapest option blindly—balance price with delivery time (PER ESEMPIO., 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 è la chiave. Yigu Technology suggests businesses first define prototype goals: if it’s just appearance verification, 3D Printing (50 – 200 Città di New York) is sufficient; if it’s functional testing, MACCHING CNC (300 – 2,000 Città di New York) is worth the investment. Material selection should align with use cases—avoid overspending on titanium alloy for non-critical parts when aluminum works. Inoltre, working with suppliers who offer one-stop services (lavorazione + Trattamento superficiale) reduces hidden costs from outsourcing. Finalmente, plan for small batches (5 – 10 pezzi) to leverage volume discounts, even if you only need 1 piece immediately—this saves money on future iterations.
Domande frequenti
- 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 (PER ESEMPIO., titanium powder is 10x more expensive than solid titanium). It also takes longer to build parts layer by layer, increasing labor and energy costs. MACCHING CNC, al contrario, 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?
SÌ, if you choose alternatives with similar key properties. Per esempio:
- Use ABS plastic (basso costo) instead of PC plastic (costo elevato) 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 (PER ESEMPIO., 50 – 200 CNY added to a 500 CNY CNC part).
- High-demand treatments (anodization + elettroplazione): 50 – 100% of the base cost (PER ESEMPIO., 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.