Functional prototypes
FDM functional prototypes in engineering plastics. Verify form, fit, and function in days, not weeks.
Mechanical, aerospace, robotics, drones, hardware startups all need a part in hand to validate geometry, clearance, or mechanism behavior before committing to tooling or a flight build. We print in engineering-grade plastics, not display resin, so the prototype behaves close to production intent.
Drop an STL, STEP, or 3MF into the instant quote, pick a material against the load case, and parts ship same-week — free local delivery inside the ABQ 30-ZIP metro, $10 flat anywhere else in the US. Setup is $5 per STL; volume breaks at 5, 25, and 100 units keep multi-revision work cheap — full pricing details in the FAQ.
What we make
- Snap-fit and press-fit housings for design verification
- Robotics chassis plates and end-effector prototypes
- Drone arms, motor mounts, and payload brackets
- Ergonomic mockups for grip, button feel, and mass studies
- Under-hood and enclosure fit-checks against existing assemblies
- Consumer-product housings ahead of tooling commit
Best materials
What to know
FDM is anisotropic. Z-axis strength typically runs 30-50% of XY, so orient the load path in-plane and call out critical features when you quote. Layer lines are visible by design — these are engineering parts, not Class-A cosmetic surfaces, though ABS can be vapor-smoothed when appearance matters. Hold tolerance to ±0.5 mm or ±0.2%, whichever is greater, and expect fine features below 0.4 mm to round off. FDM is the right tool for verifying geometry, fit, and mechanism behavior in the printed material, but it will not 1:1 predict an eventually injection-molded part — process, shrinkage, and grain all differ. For optical clarity, watertight seals without post-processing, food contact, or implantable use, look elsewhere.