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 & Материал
| Тип прототипа | Material/Process | Unit Price Range (китайский юань) | Weight/Size Reference | Применимые сценарии |
| 3D Printing Prototype | PLA/ABS Plastic | 50 – 200 / piece | 100 – 500глин; Небольшие части (НАПРИМЕР., 10cm×10cm×5cm) | Appearance verification (НАПРИМЕР., plastic housing mockups) |
| Смола (Photosensitive) | 200 – 800 / piece | 50 – 300глин; high-detail parts | Fine-surface prototypes (НАПРИМЕР., Электронные оболочки устройства) | |
| CNC Machining Prototype | Алюминиевый сплав (6061) | 300 – 800 / piece | Простые части (НАПРИМЕР., 15cm×8cm×5cm cubes) | Функциональное тестирование (НАПРИМЕР., радиаторы, Структурные кронштейны) |
| Нержавеющая сталь (304) | 800 – 2,000 / piece | Сложные части (Изогнутые поверхности, нить) | Corrosion-resistant components (НАПРИМЕР., industrial fixtures) | |
| Copper/Zinc Alloy | 1,000 – 3,000 / piece | Medium-size parts (НАПРИМЕР., 20cm×10cm×8cm) | High-conductivity parts (НАПРИМЕР., электрические разъемы) | |
| Metal 3D Printing Prototype | Нержавеющая сталь | 800 – 3,000 / piece | 50 – 200глин; intricate structures | Сложная геометрия (НАПРИМЕР., Внутренние полости, lattice parts) |
| Титановый сплав | 3,000 – 5,000+ / piece | 30 – 150глин; Высокопроизводительные детали | Медицинские устройства, аэрокосмические компоненты | |
| Silicone Duplicate Prototype | Силикон + Базовый материал (Plastic/Metal) | 100 – 500 / piece | Same as original prototype | Small-batch reproduction (5 – 50 куски; Не нужно плесень) |
| Sheet Metal Prototype | Cold-Rolled Steel/Aluminum | 500 – 3,000 / piece | Большие части (НАПРИМЕР., 50cm×30cm×10cm casings) | Metal enclosures, шасси (НАПРИМЕР., server racks, equipment housings) |
1.2 Price Comparison: Прототипирование против. Массовое производство
Many businesses wonder when to switch from prototyping to mass production. The table below highlights cost differences:
| Production Stage | Технология | Unit Price (китайский юань) | Могил (Минимальное количество заказа) | Лучше всего для |
| Прототипирование | Обработка с ЧПУ | 300 – 2,000 | 1 – 10 куски | Design iterations, small-scale testing |
| 3D Печать | 50 – 800 | 1 – 20 куски | Rapid design validation | |
| Массовое производство | Инъекционное формование | 100 – 300 | 50+ куски (requires mold) | Large-volume plastic parts (НАПРИМЕР., потребительская электроника) |
| Умирать кастинг | 200 – 500 | 100+ куски (requires mold) | Large-volume metal parts (НАПРИМЕР., 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
| Фактор | Описание | Cost Impact Example | How to Adjust to Reduce Costs |
| Стоимость материала | Raw material prices vary by type and purity. | – Пластик (АБС): Бюджетный (100 – 500 CNY/piece)- Титановый сплав: Высокая стоимость (3,000+ CNY/piece) | Use cost-effective alternatives (НАПРИМЕР., aluminum instead of titanium for non-critical parts) |
| Process Complexity | Simple structures (кубики) против. Сложные дизайны (Изогнутые поверхности, thin walls ≤1mm). | – Simple CNC part: 300 китайский юань- 5-axis CNC part (complex curves): 1,500 китайский юань (5x выше) | Avoid unnecessary features (НАПРИМЕР., глубокие дыры, ultra-thin walls); simplify geometries |
| Размер & Точность | Larger parts require more material; более плотные допуски (±0.05mm vs. ± 0,1 мм) need more time. | – ± 0,1 мм толерантность (Сжигание): 500 китайский юань- ± 0,05 мм толерантность (Сжигание): 800 китайский юань (60% выше) | Используйте стандартные допуски (± 0,1 мм) for non-critical dimensions; split large parts if possible |
| Поверхностная обработка | Базовый (полировка) против. high-demand (гальванизация, anodization) treatments. | – Полировка: +50 – 200 CNY/piece- Anodization + Лазерная гравировка: +300 – 600 CNY/piece | Choose basic treatments for internal/non-visible parts; skip electroplating if corrosion resistance isn’t needed |
| Количество | Single-piece vs. мелкосерийные заказы (suppliers offer discounts for volume). | – 1 CNC part: 1,000 китайский юань- 5 Запчасти с ЧПУ: 3,500 китайский юань (30% lower per piece) | Consolidate orders (НАПРИМЕР., order 5 pieces for design iterations instead of 1 за раз) |
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 (НАПРИМЕР., decorative grooves) that increase machining time. Например, a cube-shaped prototype costs 300 китайский юань, while the same size with curved edges costs 500 китайский юань.
- Merge Parts: Combine multiple small parts into one (НАПРИМЕР., an integrated bracket instead of 3 Отдельные части) to reduce assembly and machining steps—saves 20 – 30% on labor and material waste.
- Standardize Sizes: Use common material sizes (НАПРИМЕР., 10cm×20cm aluminum sheets) to avoid cutting large blocks into small pieces (уменьшает отходы материала на 15 – 25%).
3.2 Процесс & Supplier Selection Tips
- Match Process to Needs: Use 3D printing (50 – 200 китайский юань) for appearance checks instead of CNC (300+ китайский юань). 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 куски (против. 1 piece).
3.3 Quick Cost Estimation Formula
For preliminary budget planning, use these simple formulas based on prototype type:
- 3D Печать (ПЛА/АБС): Cost ≈ (Weight in grams × 0.5 CNY/g) + 50 китайский юань (setup fee)
Пример: A 200g part ≈ (200×0.5) + 50 = 150 китайский юань
- Обработка с ЧПУ (Алюминий): Cost ≈ (Machining time in hours × 100 CNY/hour) + Стоимость материала
Пример: 3-hour machining + 200 CNY material ≈ 3×100 + 200 = 500 китайский юань
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:
- Материал (НАПРИМЕР., “ABS plastic, 3mm thickness”)
- Точность (НАПРИМЕР., “±0.1mm for external dimensions, ±0.2mm for internal”)
- Поверхностная обработка (НАПРИМЕР., “matte painting, no logos”)
- Количество (НАПРИМЕР., “1 piece for testing, 5 pieces for iteration”)
- Ask for a Breakdown: Request suppliers to split costs into material, обработка, Поверхностная обработка, and setup fees—this helps identify areas to cut (НАПРИМЕР., if surface treatment is 40% стоимости, you can opt for a cheaper alternative).
- Compare 2 – 3 Поставщики: Don’t choose the cheapest option blindly—balance price with delivery time (НАПРИМЕР., а 10% higher quote with a 3-day turnaround may be better than a low quote with a 2-week wait).
Точка зрения Yigu Technology
For prototype pricing, balance between cost and purpose это ключ. Yigu Technology suggests businesses first define prototype goals: if it’s just appearance verification, 3D Печать (50 – 200 китайский юань) is sufficient; if it’s functional testing, Обработка с ЧПУ (300 – 2,000 китайский юань) is worth the investment. Material selection should align with use cases—avoid overspending on titanium alloy for non-critical parts when aluminum works. Кроме того, working with suppliers who offer one-stop services (обработка + Поверхностная обработка) reduces hidden costs from outsourcing. Окончательно, plan for small batches (5 – 10 куски) to leverage volume discounts, even if you only need 1 piece immediately—this saves money on future iterations.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
- 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 (НАПРИМЕР., titanium powder is 10x more expensive than solid titanium). It also takes longer to build parts layer by layer, increasing labor and energy costs. Обработка с ЧПУ, напротив, 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?
Да, if you choose alternatives with similar key properties. Например:
- Use ABS plastic (бюджетный) instead of PC plastic (high cost) 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 (НАПРИМЕР., 50 – 200 CNY added to a 500 CNY CNC part).
- High-demand treatments (anodization + гальванизация): 50 – 100% of the base cost (НАПРИМЕР., 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.