CNC Milling
Fortune HV500 horizontal machining center
- Complex prismatic parts
- Multi-sided components
- Housings
- Panels
- Plates
- Fixtures
- Precision pockets
- Hole patterns
- Complex surfaces
- Multi-operation parts
About
Rapid Prototyping
From concept to functional parts — fast.
Montgomery Precision helps customers move quickly from an idea, drawing, or CAD model to functional prototype parts.
Our rapid prototyping capabilities combine CNC machining, fabrication, engineering support, and a trusted network of qualified manufacturing partners to help customers shorten development cycles and keep projects moving. Whether you need a single complex machined component, a small batch of test parts, or a prototype assembly with inspection and finishing requirements, we can support the process from concept through delivery.
Rapid prototyping capabilities
Simple to complex prototype parts.
We work with both simple and complex parts depending on material, tolerance, geometry, finishing, and inspection requirements. Our rapid prototyping services can support:
Parts & hardware
- One-off prototype parts
- Small quantity production
- Complex machined components
- Prototype assemblies
- Prototype fixtures
- Custom replacement parts
Development & validation
- Functional test components
- Engineering development parts
- Design validation
- Fit and assembly testing
- Proof-of-concept hardware
- Design revisions and engineering changes
Quick lead times
Speed matters during development.
Montgomery Precision is structured to respond quickly to prototype requirements so customers can test ideas, identify design changes, and move toward production without unnecessary delays. Depending on the complexity of the project, we can support:
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Expedited prototype machining
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Short lead-time production
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Fast design revisions
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Quick-turn replacement parts
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Time-sensitive test hardware
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Prototype-to-production transitions
Our goal is to help reduce the time between design and physical testing.
No large production commitment required
Start at quantity one.
Prototype work should not require a customer to commit to a full production run. We can support low quantities and one-off parts where the primary goal is testing, development, fitment, or validation.
Typical prototype quantities may include:
Quantity 1
Small development batches
Low-volume test runs
Pre-production quantities
Pilot production
Once the design is proven, we can also help transition the component into repeat production.
CNC machining for prototypes
In-house milling and turning.
Our in-house CNC machining capabilities allow us to support a wide range of prototype geometries. The combination of milling and turning allows us to support many different prototype part types within the same project.
CNC Turning
Two Daewoo Puma 10S CNC turning centers
- Shafts
- Bushings
- Sleeves
- Pins
- Spacers
- Gear blanks
- Threaded components
- Precision bores
- Cylindrical housings
- Custom turned parts
Engineering support
Start with a drawing — or only an idea.
Some prototype projects begin with a complete manufacturing drawing. Others begin with only an idea. Montgomery Precision can support customers who need both engineering and manufacturing assistance.
We can work from:
CAD models
Technical drawings
Sketches
Existing parts
Photos
Samples
Functional requirements
Early-stage concepts
Our team can help turn that information into a manufacturable design and then produce the physical part.
Design for manufacturability
The best time to improve a design.
Prototype development is often the best time to identify opportunities to improve the design. Our engineering and manufacturing team can review a component for issues involving:
- Tool access
- Workholding
- Material selection
- Tolerance requirements
- Feature geometry
- Wall thickness
- Hole depth
- Surface finish
- Secondary operations
- Production repeatability
The goal is to help create a design that not only works, but can also be manufactured efficiently as the project moves toward production.
Materials
Metals and plastics for prototypes.
Depending on project requirements and process suitability, we can support prototype components made from materials including:
Aluminum
Carbon steels
Pre-hardened steels
Stainless steels
Titanium
Engineering plastics
High-performance plastics
Select specialty alloys
Material requirements are reviewed during quoting to determine the appropriate machining and manufacturing approach.
Finishing & secondary operations
Finished like production parts.
Prototype parts often require the same finishing and secondary processes as final production components. Through our in-house capabilities and qualified manufacturing network, we can support requirements such as:
- Anodizing
- Hardcoat anodizing
- Plating
- Passivation
- Heat treatment
- Grinding
- Surface finishing
- Protective coatings
- Welding and fabrication
- Other drawing-specified processes
Finishing requirements should be identified during the RFQ process so they can be included in the project schedule and pricing.
Inspection support
Basic verification to formal documentation.
Prototype parts can require anything from basic dimensional verification to advanced inspection documentation. Depending on project requirements, Montgomery Precision can support:
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In-process inspection
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Final dimensional inspection
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Critical feature verification
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Inspection reports
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Material certifications
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Certificates of Conformance
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First Article Inspection support
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CMM inspection through qualified partners
Inspection requirements are reviewed before production so the appropriate quality plan can be established.
Learn about our quality controlPrototype, test, refine
An iterative process.
Rapid prototyping is an iterative process. A design may require several versions before the final configuration is ready for production. Montgomery Precision can support that progression:
Concept
Design
Prototype
Test
Revise
Validate
Production
When a design changes during testing, we can quickly review the revision and adjust the manufacturing process for the next iteration. This allows customers to continue developing their product without starting over with a new manufacturing partner at every stage.
Prototype to production
The same team, from first part to production.
One of the advantages of working with Montgomery Precision is that the same team that helps produce the first prototype can also support future production requirements. This helps preserve the knowledge gained during prototype development and apply it to the production process.
Once a component is validated, we can help transition the project into:
- Low-volume production
- Short-run production
- Repeat orders
- Higher-volume production
- Production fixtures
- Process optimization
- Long-term manufacturing support
Have a prototype project?
Whether you have a finished drawing, a CAD model, an existing part, or simply an idea that needs to become something physical, Montgomery Precision can help. Send us your drawings, models, photos, material requirements, quantity, tolerances, finishing requirements, and required delivery date and we will determine the fastest practical path from concept to finished part.