Low-Volume Manufacturing Services
Production manufacturing from 10 to 10,000 units using 3D printing. Skip expensive tooling and minimum order quantities. Perfect for Kickstarter fulfillment, pilot production, and bridge manufacturing. Based in Modesto, CA - we ship anywhere in the United States.
The Economics of Low-Volume Manufacturing
Traditional manufacturing (injection molding, die casting, CNC) requires expensive tooling: $5,000-$50,000+ upfront before you make a single part. Minimum order quantities force you to order thousands of units, tying up capital in inventory. Lead times stretch 8-16 weeks. And if you need design changes? Start over and pay for new tooling.
3D printing flips this model. Zero tooling costs. No minimum quantities. Design changes are free - just update the CAD file. This makes 3D printing economical for production runs of 10 to 10,000 units, a range where traditional manufacturing is prohibitively expensive.
We serve product companies, Kickstarter projects, pilot production runs, and bridge manufacturing (making parts with 3D printing while waiting for tooling to be ready). Our clients use 3D printing to get to market faster, test market demand before committing to expensive tooling, or manufacture niche products that don't justify tooling costs.
When You Need Low-Volume Manufacturing
Kickstarter & Crowdfunding Fulfillment
Successfully funded on Kickstarter but only have 200-500 backers? Traditional manufacturing requires thousands of units minimum. We manufacture your exact backer quantity with no excess inventory. Start fulfilling orders in weeks, not months.
Market Testing Before Tooling Investment
Not sure if your product will sell? Manufacture 100-500 units with 3D printing to test market demand. If it sells well, invest in tooling for high-volume production. If it doesn't, you avoided a $20,000+ tooling mistake. De-risk product launches.
Bridge Production (Tooling Delays)
Injection mold tooling takes 8-16 weeks. Can't wait that long? Start shipping products immediately with 3D printing while your tooling is being manufactured. Bridge the gap between design and high-volume production. Don't lose market window or customer momentum.
Niche Products & Customization
Selling a niche product that only sells 50-200 units per year? Traditional manufacturing doesn't make sense. With 3D printing, manufacture on-demand or in small batches. Perfect for specialized B2B products, custom solutions, or products with high variation/customization.
Spare Parts & Replacement Inventory
Manufacturing equipment, electronics, or products that need spare parts? Instead of warehousing physical inventory, store digital files and manufacture on-demand. Reduce carrying costs, eliminate obsolete inventory, and never stock-out of parts.
Product Line Extensions & Variations
Want to offer your product in multiple sizes, colors, or configurations? With traditional manufacturing, each variation requires separate tooling. With 3D printing, create unlimited variations from the same base design. Test which variants sell before committing to tooling.
When Does 3D Printing Make Economic Sense?
| Units Needed | Traditional Manufacturing | 3D Printing |
|---|---|---|
| 10-50 units | Not economical (tooling too expensive) | ✓ Ideal range |
| 50-500 units | Marginal (high per-unit cost) | ✓ Very cost-effective |
| 500-2,000 units | Break-even point | ✓ Competitive pricing |
| 2,000-10,000 units | Becomes more economical | Still viable for complex parts |
| 10,000+ units | Most economical | Transition to traditional methods |
Example: 200-Unit Production Run
Traditional (Injection Molding):
Tooling: $15,000 + Per-part: $5 × 200 = $1,000
Total: $16,000 ($80 per part) + 12-16 weeks lead time
3D Printing:
Tooling: $0 + Per-part: $25 × 200 = $5,000
Total: $5,000 ($25 per part) + 3-5 weeks lead time
Savings: $11,000 (69% cost reduction) + 9-11 weeks faster
Our Manufacturing Process
Quote Request & Volume Pricing
Submit your CAD files and desired quantity. We provide volume-based pricing with discounts for larger quantities. Fixed pricing, payment terms available for large orders. We discuss material selection, quality requirements, and delivery schedule.
Timeline: Quote within 24-48 hours
Manufacturing Planning
We optimize your design for mass production: print orientation, support structure efficiency, batch sizing, and quality control checkpoints. For large orders, we run test prints for approval before full production begins.
Timeline: 1-3 days planning + test prints
Production Manufacturing
Parts are manufactured in batches using our fleet of industrial 3D printers. We run multiple printers simultaneously for faster turnaround. Each batch undergoes quality inspection. Progress updates provided for large orders.
Timeline: 2-6 weeks depending on quantity and complexity
Post-Processing & Quality Control
Support removal, surface finishing, and quality inspection. Each part is checked against specifications. Defects are reprinted at no charge. Statistical sampling for large production runs ensures consistent quality.
Timeline: 0.5-2 weeks depending on finishing requirements
Packaging & Delivery
Parts are carefully packaged for shipping. We can ship in bulk or directly to your customers (drop-shipping for Kickstarter, etc.). Tracking provided. For ongoing production, we can establish recurring delivery schedules.
Timeline: Same-week shipment after QC approval
Materials & Quality Standards
Production-Grade Materials
We use engineering-grade materials suitable for end-use production parts, not hobbyist materials. Material selection depends on your application requirements:
- • Nylon (PA12): High strength, wear resistance
- • PETG: Good impact strength, chemical resistant
- • ABS: Industrial standard, heat resistant
- • Polycarbonate: Maximum impact strength
- • TPU: Flexible parts, gaskets, seals
- • ASA: UV resistant, outdoor applications
- • Carbon Fiber: Maximum strength-to-weight
- • Engineering Resins: Specialized properties
Quality Control Process
- Dimensional verification: First article inspection (FAI) for production runs
- Visual inspection: Surface quality, finish, defects
- Functional testing: Fit-checks, assembly verification (if applicable)
- Statistical sampling: For runs over 100 units
- Defect reprinting: Defective parts replaced at no charge
Frequently Asked Questions
What quantities do you manufacture?
We specialize in 10 to 10,000 units. Below 10 units, see our Rapid Prototyping service. Above 10,000 units, we can help you transition to traditional manufacturing (injection molding, etc.) or continue with 3D printing if part complexity justifies it.
How long does production take?
Typical lead times: 10-50 units (1-2 weeks), 50-200 units (2-4 weeks), 200-1,000 units (4-8 weeks), 1,000-10,000 units (8-12 weeks). Lead time depends on part size, complexity, and current production queue. Rush service available for additional cost.
Do you offer payment terms for large orders?
Yes! For orders over $5,000, we offer payment terms: 50% deposit, 50% on completion. For orders over $10,000, we can structure milestone-based payments (deposit → first article approval → completion). Net-30 terms available for established customers.
Can you ship directly to my customers (drop-shipping)?
Absolutely! Perfect for Kickstarter fulfillment. Provide us with your backer addresses, we'll package and ship directly to each customer with your branding (custom packaging available). We handle all fulfillment logistics - you focus on your next product.
What if I need design changes during production?
One advantage of 3D printing: design changes are easy! Unlike injection molding where tooling changes cost thousands, we just update the CAD file. For large production runs, we recommend approving a first article before full production to catch any needed changes early.
Can you help transition from 3D printing to traditional manufacturing?
Yes! Many clients start with 3D printing for market testing or initial production, then transition to injection molding for higher volumes. We provide DFM (Design for Manufacturing) consultation, help you find tooling vendors, and can continue supplying parts while your tooling is being made (bridge manufacturing).
What's your defect rate?
Our defect rate is typically <2% for production runs. All defective parts are replaced at no charge. For large production runs, we implement statistical process control to maintain consistent quality. First article inspection ensures we're meeting your specifications before full production.
How do you price volume orders?
Volume discounts apply: 10-50 units (base price), 50-200 units (10-15% discount), 200-1,000 units (15-25% discount), 1,000+ units (25-40% discount). Exact pricing depends on part size, complexity, and material. We provide fixed quotes upfront.
Get Volume Pricing
Custom quote for your production run. Volume discounts available.
Request Custom Quote (256) 322-3403📍 Based in Modesto, CA
🚚 Ship Anywhere in USA
Volume Discounts
*Exact pricing depends on part complexity and material. Payment terms available for large orders.