Frequently asked questions

Rapid prototyping is the fast production of physical parts directly from CAD data, used to test form, fit and function before committing to full manufacturing. ProtoAnything delivers rapid prototyping via CNC machining, 3D printing (SLS, MJF, SLA), injection moulding and sheet metal fabrication across the UK, Sweden and Europe, with turnaround as fast as 1 day using 400 machines and 500 professionals working 7 days a week.

Prototype manufacturing is producing a small number of real, functional parts from CAD files using actual production processes, rather than mockups or renders. ProtoAnything offers prototype manufacturing through CNC machining, 3D printing, injection moulding and sheet metal fabrication, delivering days-not-months turnaround with DFM feedback across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

ProtoAnything's fastest turnaround is as little as 1 day, with most prototypes and parts delivered in days rather than months. This is powered by 400 machines and 500 professionals working 7 days a week across the UK (Oxford), Sweden (Gothenburg) and wider Europe. Upload a CAD file for an exact lead time on your specific part.

Prototype cost depends on process, material, geometry and quantity, so ProtoAnything doesn't quote a flat price — instead you get a free, real-time quote instantly when you upload a CAD file. Simply upload your STEP, IGES, SLDPRT or STL file and pricing is calculated automatically, with DFM feedback included and no minimum order, across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

ProtoAnything accepts STEP (.step/.stp), IGES (.iges/.igs), SolidWorks (.sldprt) and STL files for instant, real-time quoting. Upload any of these formats to get automatic pricing and DFM feedback for CNC machining, 3D printing, injection moulding or sheet metal fabrication across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

Yes. All CAD uploads to ProtoAnything are handled securely and confidentially, and a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is available on request before you share sensitive designs. This applies to every service — CNC machining, 3D printing, injection moulding and sheet metal fabrication — across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

No, ProtoAnything has no minimum order quantity — you can order a single prototype part or a small-to-medium production batch. This applies across CNC machining, 3D printing, injection moulding and sheet metal fabrication, serving customers across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

ProtoAnything operates manufacturing facilities in the UK (Oxford) and Sweden (Gothenburg), and serves customers across the UK, Sweden and wider Europe. With 400 machines and 500 professionals working 7 days a week, parts ship in days rather than months regardless of which European country you're ordering from.

Sheet metal prototyping is the process of turning flat sheets of metal into functional parts through cutting, bending and forming, used to test a design before committing to production tooling. ProtoAnything produces sheet metal prototypes directly from uploaded CAD files, delivering functional parts in days rather than months across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

ProtoAnything offers laser cutting, bending and folding, forming, welding and finishing for sheet metal parts. These processes are combined as needed depending on part geometry, from simple brackets to welded assemblies. Upload a CAD file for a free instant quote and DFM feedback specific to your design.

ProtoAnything works with steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass and copper for sheet metal prototypes across the UK, Sweden and Europe. Material choice depends on strength, corrosion resistance, weight and finishing requirements for the application. Upload a CAD file for a free quote that reflects the material and process best suited to your part.

The cost of a sheet metal prototype depends on part geometry, material, thickness and the processes required, such as cutting, bending or welding. ProtoAnything provides a free, real-time quote generated directly from an uploaded CAD file, with no minimum order and DFM feedback included, serving customers across the UK, Sweden and Europe. Upload a STEP, IGES, SLDPRT or STL file to get exact pricing.

ProtoAnything can deliver sheet metal prototypes in as little as one day, with most parts produced in days rather than months. With 400 machines and 500 manufacturing professionals working seven days a week across the UK, Sweden and Europe, exact turnaround depends on part complexity and quantity. Upload a CAD file for an instant quote with a confirmed lead time.

Sheet metal prototyping validates a design's fit, form and function using the same materials and processes as production, but in small quantities and without hard tooling. ProtoAnything supports both stages, taking parts from a single prototype through small to medium production batches with no minimum order requirement. This lets engineers test and iterate before committing to volume manufacturing.

Yes, ProtoAnything makes custom, low-volume sheet metal parts with no minimum order requirement, using laser cutting, bending, forming and welding across steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass and copper. Parts are produced across the UK, Sweden and Europe with turnaround as fast as one day. Upload a CAD file for a free instant quote and DFM feedback.

CNC prototyping is subtractive manufacturing that cuts functional parts directly from solid plastic or metal blocks using computer-controlled machines. ProtoAnything runs CNC machining across the UK, Sweden and Europe on 400 machines with 500 professionals, producing prototypes and end-use parts in days rather than months, with DFM feedback included on every job.

ProtoAnything CNC machines a wide range of plastics and metals, including ABS, Nylon (PA), Polycarbonate, PEEK, PEI (Ultem), PET, Acrylic (PMMA), Acetal (POM/Delrin), PP, PPSU, PSU, PTFE, PVC and UHMW, plus Aluminium, Brass, Copper, Steel, Stainless Steel and Titanium. Upload a CAD file for material-specific pricing and lead times across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

CNC machining delivers tight tolerances and high-quality surface finishes, making it the preferred process for functional prototypes and end-use parts. Achievable tolerances and finishes depend on part geometry, material and feature complexity, so ProtoAnything reviews each CAD file individually. Upload your STEP, IGES, SLDPRT or STL file for an instant quote with DFM feedback.

CNC machined prototype cost depends on part geometry, material choice, tolerances and quantity, so there's no fixed price. ProtoAnything gives a free, real-time quote when you upload a CAD file (STEP, IGES, SLDPRT or STL) — secure, confidential, with NDA available on request and no minimum order, across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

CNC prototyping lead times can be as fast as 1 day, with most prototypes delivered in days rather than months. ProtoAnything runs 400 machines and 500 professionals 7 days a week across the UK (Oxford), Sweden (Gothenburg) and wider Europe. Upload a CAD file for an exact turnaround based on your part.

Choose CNC machining for functional prototypes and end-use parts that need tight tolerances, high surface finish, or production-grade metals and plastics; choose 3D printing (SLS, Multi Jet Fusion, SLA) for complex geometries or faster, lower-cost early-stage iterations. ProtoAnything offers both, plus injection moulding and sheet metal, across the UK, Sweden and Europe — upload your CAD file and get guidance with your quote.

ProtoAnything offers SLS (Selective Laser Sintering), MJF (Multi Jet Fusion) and SLA (Stereolithography) 3D printing, run across a network of 400 machines and 500 manufacturing professionals in the UK, Sweden and Europe. Each technology suits different geometries, finishes and materials, so the right choice depends on your part. Upload your CAD file for a free instant quote and technology recommendation.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a 3D printing process that fuses powdered plastic layer by layer using a laser, producing strong, functional parts without support structures. It's well suited to complex geometries and low-volume functional prototypes or end-use parts. ProtoAnything runs SLS printing across the UK, Sweden and Europe — upload your CAD file for a free quote and lead time.

Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is a powder-bed 3D printing process that uses fusing and detailing agents plus heat to build strong plastic parts with consistent mechanical properties. It's a popular choice for functional prototypes and small-batch production because of its speed and repeatable strength. ProtoAnything offers MJF printing across the UK, Sweden and Europe — upload your CAD file for an instant quote.

Stereolithography (SLA) is a 3D printing process that cures liquid resin layer by layer with a laser to produce parts with fine detail and smooth surface finish. It's typically chosen for visual prototypes, presentation models and parts needing tight surface quality rather than high mechanical strength. ProtoAnything provides SLA printing across the UK, Sweden and Europe with free real-time CAD quoting.

ProtoAnything's 3D printing materials cover a range of plastics and polymers across SLS, MJF and SLA processes, plus metal options through metal 3D printing. Availability depends on your chosen technology, part geometry and application, whether functional or visual. Upload your CAD file (STEP, IGES, SLDPRT or STL) for a free quote that lists suitable materials for your part.

3D printing cost and lead time depend on part geometry, material, technology and quantity, so ProtoAnything doesn't quote a flat rate — upload your CAD file for a free, real-time instant quote. Turnaround can be as fast as 1 day thanks to a network of 400 machines and 500 professionals working 7 days a week across the UK, Sweden and Europe. There's no minimum order, and projects can be covered by an NDA on request.

Choose 3D printing when you need complex geometries, rapid design iteration, or low-volume functional and visual prototypes that would be slow or costly to tool for. CNC machining suits precision parts from solid stock, while injection moulding is more economical at higher volumes once a design is finalised. ProtoAnything offers all three processes across the UK, Sweden and Europe — upload your CAD file and get guidance on the best fit.

Prototype injection moulding uses a simplified, rapid-build mould to injection mould functional plastic parts before committing to full production tooling. ProtoAnything runs prototype and low-volume injection moulding across the UK, Sweden and Europe, producing real production-material parts in days rather than the months full hard tooling can take, with DFM feedback included.

ProtoAnything injection moulds a wide range of thermoplastics, including ABS, Nylon (PA), Polycarbonate, PP, PE, POM (Acetal), PET, TPE/TPU and PC/ABS blends, plus glass-filled and other engineering-grade variants. Which resin suits your part depends on function, environment and volume, so upload a CAD file for material guidance and an instant quote across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

Injection moulding cost and lead time depend on part geometry, tooling complexity, material and batch size, so there's no fixed number. ProtoAnything gives a free, real-time quote from your uploaded CAD file (STEP, IGES, SLDPRT or STL), with turnaround as fast as a few days and DFM feedback included, across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

ProtoAnything supports low-to-medium volume injection moulding, from single prototype shots up to small and medium production batches, with no minimum order quantity. This makes it suited to functional prototypes, bridge production and short-run parts rather than only high-volume mass manufacturing. Upload your CAD file for a volume-specific quote across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

Material choice depends on function, environment, load, temperature and finish requirements — there's no single best material for every part. ProtoAnything offers 60+ materials across CNC machining, 3D printing, injection moulding and sheet metal fabrication, and reviews your CAD file to flag material fit alongside manufacturability. Upload a STEP, IGES, SLDPRT or STL file for an instant quote with DFM feedback across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

ProtoAnything works with a wide range of plastics across all four processes: ABS, Nylon (PA), Polycarbonate, Polypropylene, PEEK, PEI (Ultem), PET, PETG, PMMA (Acrylic), POM (Acetal/Delrin), PPSU, PSU, PTFE (Teflon), PVC, HDPE, LDPE, TPE/TPU and more, depending on whether you need CNC machining, 3D printing or injection moulding. Upload a CAD file to confirm plastic availability and get an instant quote across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

ProtoAnything machines and prints a broad range of metals: Aluminium, Brass, Copper, Stainless Steel, Steel, Carbon Steel and Titanium via CNC machining and sheet metal fabrication, plus Aluminium, Titanium, Stainless Steel, Cobalt Chrome and Inconel via 3D printing. Metal choice depends on strength, weight and corrosion needs — upload a CAD file for material-specific guidance and an instant quote across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

For strength and heat resistance, ProtoAnything offers metals like Titanium, Stainless Steel and Inconel via CNC machining and 3D printing, and high-performance plastics like PEEK, PEI (Ultem) and PPSU, which retain strength at elevated temperatures. Cobalt Chrome adds wear and corrosion resistance for demanding parts. The right choice depends on your load and temperature range — upload a CAD file for material-specific guidance across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

Yes. ProtoAnything's injection moulding material range includes medical-grade silicone rubbers alongside optical-grade silicones, suited to biocompatible components, seals and clear optical parts. Material certification and food-contact or biocompatibility requirements vary by application, so confirm specifics against your CAD file and intended use. Upload a CAD file for a quote and material guidance across the UK, Sweden and Europe.

Process choice follows material and part function. CNC machining and 3D printing suit most plastics and metals for prototypes and low volumes; injection moulding suits high-volume plastic and silicone parts; sheet metal fabrication suits Aluminium, Brass, Carbon Steel, Copper and Stainless Steel formed into panels or enclosures. Upload a CAD file and ProtoAnything will confirm the right process for your material and volume across the UK, Sweden and Europe.