PROTOTYPE MANUFACTURING

Prototype Manufacturing From CAD & CMF Files

Hemtom manufactures high-fidelity appearance, functional and structural prototypes from customer-supplied CAD drawings and CMF specifications. We combine precision manufacturing with professional surface finishing to deliver finished physical prototypes for design review, engineering validation and presentation.

Hemtom prototype manufacturing sample
01 Appearance Prototypes
02 Functional Prototypes
03 Structural Prototypes
04 Surface Finishing
PROTOTYPE CAPABILITIES

Prototype Manufacturing for Appearance, Function and Structure

Hemtom manufactures prototypes for different stages of product development, from high-fidelity appearance models and CMF validation to functional interaction and structural verification.

Appearance Prototypes

For visual, CMF and presentation validation.

High-fidelity prototypes manufactured to reproduce the intended appearance, color, texture and surface finish of your product.

Explore Appearance Prototypes

Functional Prototypes

For testing how the product works and interacts.

Prototypes can be manufactured with working buttons, switches, illuminated elements and other interactive features. Customer-supplied PCBs and electronic components can also be integrated and assembled into the prototype when required.

Explore Functional Prototypes

Structural Prototypes

For fit, assembly and engineering validation.

Structural prototypes help engineering teams verify dimensions, component interfaces, assembly conditions and structural requirements before production.

Explore Structural Prototypes
PROTOTYPE APPLICATIONS

Prototype Applications Across Product Categories

From consumer electronics and automotive products to industrial equipment and medical devices, Hemtom manufactures physical prototypes for a wide range of product development projects. Depending on the project stage, prototypes can be produced for appearance evaluation, functional testing, structural verification, presentation or further engineering validation.

01

Consumer Electronics

Mobile phones, tablets, laptops, headphones, cameras, VR devices, wearables and other electronic products.

02

Smart Devices & Robotics

Robots, drones, communication equipment, smart devices and connected products requiring physical prototypes.

03

Automotive Products

Automotive components, interior and exterior parts, vehicle concepts and other transportation-related prototypes.

04

Home Appliances

Product housings, controls, consumer appliances and other hardware requiring appearance and functional validation.

05

Medical Devices

Physical prototypes for medical and healthcare product development, including housings, assemblies and functional models.

06

Industrial Products

Industrial equipment, components, tools, instruments and engineered products requiring prototype validation.

07

Wearables & Lifestyle Products

Watches, wearable devices, personal products and other compact products where appearance, fit and usability matter.

08

Film & Special Projects

Film props, architectural elements, interior components and other custom physical models requiring specialized fabrication.

Whether you need a high-fidelity appearance model, a functional prototype or a structural prototype, Hemtom selects suitable manufacturing processes and finishing methods according to the requirements of your project.

PROTOTYPE MATERIALS

What Types of Prototypes Can We Make

Hemtom manufactures prototypes in a wide range of materials, from metals and engineering plastics to rubber, wood, marble and glass. Material selection depends on the prototype’s purpose, required properties, appearance and finishing requirements.

Metal prototype manufactured by Hemtom
01

Metal Prototypes

Metal prototypes are suitable for applications requiring strength, durability, dimensional accuracy or production-like material properties.

Plastic prototype manufactured by Hemtom
02

Plastic Prototypes

Plastic prototypes can be manufactured in different engineering plastics for appearance evaluation, assembly checks and functional testing.

Rubber prototype manufactured by Hemtom
03

Rubber Prototypes

Rubber prototypes are useful when flexibility, soft-touch properties or elastomer-like characteristics are required for product evaluation.

Solid wood prototype manufactured by Hemtom
04

Solid Wood Prototypes

Solid wood prototypes can be used for form studies, appearance models, presentation models and applications where a natural material is required.

Marble prototype manufactured by Hemtom
05

Marble Prototypes

Marble prototypes can be produced for product concepts, architectural models and high-end appearance applications where stone is part of the design.

Glass prototype manufactured by Hemtom
06

Glass Prototypes

Glass prototypes can be used when transparency, optical appearance or glass-like visual characteristics are important to the product design.

PROTOTYPE MANUFACTURING METHODS

Manufacturing Processes for Prototypes

Hemtom combines multiple manufacturing processes to produce prototypes according to your design, material, quantity, functional requirements and finishing specifications. Our engineering team can recommend the most suitable process for each project.

01 PRECISION MACHINING

CNC Machining

CNC machining produces precise metal and plastic prototypes with accurate dimensions, machined details and a wide range of material and surface finishing options.

Metal Plastic High Precision
Explore CNC Machining
02 ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

3D Printing

3D printing provides a fast way to produce prototype models directly from digital files, making it suitable for complex geometries, early design evaluation and rapid iteration.

Rapid Prototyping Complex Shapes Iteration
Explore 3D Printing
03 CAST PROTOTYPING

Urethane Casting

Urethane casting is suitable for producing multiple prototype parts with production-like appearance and material characteristics, especially when a small quantity is required.

Small Quantities Production-Like Parts Multiple Units
Explore Urethane Casting
04 METAL FABRICATION

Sheet Metal Fabrication

Sheet metal fabrication is used for metal enclosures, brackets, panels, structural components and prototypes that require real sheet metal construction and assembly.

Metal Enclosures Assemblies
Explore Sheet Metal
05 PRODUCTION-INTENT

Injection Molding

Injection molding can be considered when prototypes require production-intent plastic parts, repeatability or a transition toward larger quantities.

Plastic Repeatability Production Intent
Explore Injection Molding

The manufacturing process depends on the prototype's purpose, geometry, material, quantity, required finish and functional requirements. Hemtom can combine multiple processes within one project when necessary.

FINISHING & CMF

Professional Surface Finishing

A prototype is more than a machined or printed part. Hemtom provides professional surface finishing to refine the color, texture, gloss and overall appearance of your prototype.

From polished metal and anodized surfaces to painted plastics, textured finishes and custom color matching, we help turn manufactured parts into finished physical prototypes for design review, presentation and product validation.

Color Matching Painting Polishing Anodizing Sandblasting Texture Gloss Coating
Explore Surface Finishing
FINISHING GUIDE CMF
Gloss
High-gloss surfaces
Matte
Low-gloss surfaces
Metallic
Metal-like appearance
Texture
Custom surface texture
Material
Surface
CMF Result
Illustrative finish categories
Are you looking for leading prototyping services? Functional prototypes work like, and often look like, the final production product. Hemtom is one of the leading mold manufacturers in China. Specialized in custom tooling and prototyping for a variety of thermoplastic applications for 20 years. Prototypes are important in the development process of plastic injection molded parts. We can help save time and money by detecting design flaws and other issues early in the design phase. Work with us to successfully develop your project prototype.
FROM PROJECT REQUIREMENTS TO FINISHED PROTOTYPE

Prototype Manufacturing Workflow

From project inquiry and confidentiality arrangements to engineering review, prototype production, inspection and delivery, Hemtom manages each stage through a structured prototype manufacturing workflow.

01

Submit Your Project

Start by sharing your product requirements, prototype quantity, target application, material preferences, finishing requirements and expected timeline. You may also provide available CAD or CMF files when appropriate.

Product Requirements Prototype Quantity Materials Finishing Timeline
02

NDA & File Submission

If your project contains confidential, proprietary or pre-launch product information, Hemtom can arrange an NDA before you share sensitive design files. Once the NDA is in place, you can provide the CAD drawings, CMF files and other project documents required for engineering review. If an NDA is not required, you may submit the available project files directly.

NDA When Required CAD Drawings CMF Files Project Documents
03

Engineering Review & Quotation

Our engineering team reviews the submitted design, materials, dimensional requirements, finishing specifications and proposed manufacturing approach. We evaluate project feasibility and prepare a quotation based on the required processes, quantity and specifications.

04

Order Confirmation

Once the quotation, prototype requirements and manufacturing details are confirmed, Hemtom prepares the project for production. After order confirmation and the agreed payment arrangement, manufacturing can begin.

05

Prototype Production

Hemtom converts the approved design into a physical prototype through the appropriate manufacturing, assembly, finishing and testing processes.

MANUFACTURING PROCESS
01 CNC Programming
02 Machining
03 Blank Model Assembly
04 Polishing & Finishing
05 Post Processing Spray Painting · Silkscreening · Anodizing · Electroplating · Coating · Laser Etching · Diamond Cutting
06 Lighting Effects
07 Function Testing
08 Final Prototype Assembly Customer-supplied PCB or internal components can be assembled when required by the project.
09 Quality Inspection
Functional Prototype Integration

For functional prototypes requiring electronics, customers may provide the PCB or internal components. Hemtom can support prototype assembly and integration according to the project requirements.

06

Final Inspection & Customer Review

After production and final inspection, Hemtom can provide project photos and videos for customer review when applicable. This allows you to review the finished prototype before final delivery.

Final Inspection Photos Videos Customer Review
07

Final Payment

Once the prototype is completed and the finished result has been reviewed according to the agreed project terms, the remaining balance is settled before shipment.

08

Delivery

After final payment and shipment preparation, Hemtom arranges delivery of the completed prototypes to your specified destination.

READY TO BUILD YOUR PROTOTYPE?

Start with your project requirements, CAD or CMF files.

REQUEST A QUOTE
Confidentiality & IP Protection

Your Prototype Is Protected Before It Enters Production

Prototype projects often involve unreleased products, proprietary designs, confidential engineering information and valuable intellectual property. Hemtom applies confidentiality practices across project handling, factory access and production information.

Hemtom's Confidentiality Principle

Customer Projects Are Not Open for Viewing

Hemtom maintains strict control over access to production areas and project information. Customers are not permitted to enter production workshops, including when they want to view their own products. Employees from unrelated departments are also restricted from entering controlled production areas.

Multiple customers' projects may be handled within the same production environment. Keeping workshop access restricted helps prevent one customer's project from being exposed while another customer is visiting or reviewing their own work. Customer meetings, product reviews and project discussions are conducted in designated areas such as the meeting room on the third floor.

Protecting one customer's project means protecting every customer's project.
NDA
Contractual Confidentiality

NDA Before Confidential Project Information Is Shared

When required, Hemtom can work under a signed NDA or other confidentiality agreement before confidential project information is shared or production begins. Customers can provide sensitive design and project information under the agreed confidentiality terms before engineering review and prototype manufacturing.

Project Information Confidential product and project requirements
CAD & CMF Files Design files, specifications and appearance requirements
Prototype & Production Data Manufacturing and project-related information
Factory Access & Information Control

Confidentiality Continues Inside the Factory

Contractual confidentiality is supported by physical and information controls inside Hemtom's production environment. Workshop access is strictly restricted, while customer meetings, product reviews and project discussions are conducted in designated areas outside the production floor.

01

Personal Belongings & Electronic Devices Are Stored

Before entering controlled production areas, personnel store personal belongings and electronic devices, including phones, tablets, cameras, recording devices and other personal electronics.

Personal Item & Device Control
02

Entry Requires a Security Check

After belongings and personal devices are stored, personnel undergo the required security check before entering controlled production areas.

Entry Security Check
03

No Customers or Visitors Enter the Workshops

Hemtom applies a strict no-entry policy to customers and employees from unrelated departments. Visitors are also kept out of production workshops. Because multiple customers' projects may be handled within the same production environment, customers cannot enter the workshops even to view their own products. Customer meetings, product reviews and project discussions are conducted in the designated meeting room on the third floor.

Strict Workshop Access Control
04

Production Information Is Controlled

Production computers operate within the factory LAN. Factory surveillance and internal management procedures help control access to production information and confidential project data.

LAN-Only PCs & Surveillance

Visit Hemtom. Meet With Our Team.

Prospective customers may visit Hemtom before cooperation to evaluate the company as a potential manufacturing partner. Existing customers may also visit for project discussions, product reviews or ongoing cooperation. All customer visits are conducted in designated visitor areas, and production workshop access remains restricted.

Factory visit for supplier evaluation
01 Supplier Evaluation

Evaluate Hemtom Before Cooperation

New customers, particularly companies conducting supplier qualification or factory evaluation, can meet the Hemtom team, discuss manufacturing capabilities, review project requirements and evaluate Hemtom as a potential manufacturing partner before starting a project. Production workshops remain restricted to authorized production personnel.

Hemtom meeting customers and industry partners at CES
02 CES & Industry Events

Meet Hemtom in Person

Hemtom also meets customers and industry partners at events such as CES, where teams can discuss product development, manufacturing requirements and potential cooperation in person.

Why This Matters

Our Confidentiality Rules Apply to Everyone.

Hemtom applies the same workshop access rules to every customer. Customers are not permitted to enter production areas, including when reviewing their own projects. This ensures that viewing one customer's project does not expose information belonging to another customer.

By combining contractual confidentiality, controlled workshop access, security procedures and information management, Hemtom maintains a consistent approach to protecting confidential project information throughout prototype manufacturing.

Prototyping Services Tailored To Your Needs

Hemtom provides leading prototyping services to tens of millions of start-ups, small manufacturers, home inventors. We have the prototyping process required for quality products worldwide. We guarantee a perfect fit with the appearance of your product, demonstrate the feasibility of the product through human-computer interaction before production, and help you succeed in all aspects and speed up the time to market.

material-2

For hardware startups

Whether you're an early-stage startup or ready to scale up, Hemtom is your best prototyping partner. In the continuous product development and iteration, we can match your product route and transform your ideas into product design.

material-3

for small manufacturers

We are a prototype manufacturing service company tailored for small product companies. Whether it is a new product design or an existing product upgrade, Hemtom can provide leading prototyping services. We quickly capture the aesthetics of our client's ideas, revealing the actual colours, materials and finishes you want to achieve in your final product.

material-1

For all home inventors

With the experience in prototyping of tens of millions of family inventions, the feasibility of the product can be demonstrated through human-computer interaction before the design begins, and comprehensive support services, rapid prototyping can help your product achieve great success. Get connected instantly with some of the best product selling brands in the world.

LEAVE US A MESSAGE

If you want to enquire or have any questions, please fill out the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.


FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

At Hemtom, we can make almost any type of prototype you need! Our skilled team creates high-end appearance models, structural prototypes, metal prototypes, plastic prototypes, rubber prototypes, solid wood prototypes, marble prototypes, and glass prototypes. With over 20 years of experience and 75 sets of Japanese brother equipment, we handle everything from consumer electronics to automotive parts, medical devices, and home appliances.

We understand that time is important for your project. Most prototypes can be completed in just 3 days, and in some cases, we can deliver prototypes and parts in as little as 1 day! The exact time depends on how complex your design is and what materials you need. We’ll give you a clear timeline when you send us your project details.

To give you the best and most accurate quote, we accept 3D CAD files in STL, STEP, or IGES formats. If you have 2D drawings with dimensions, please send them as PDF files. We need complete manufacturing information to provide you with the right quote. Don’t worry – our engineers will review your files and let you know if anything is missing.

The cost depends on several things like the size of your prototype, what materials you want to use, how complex the design is, and what finishing you need. The good news is that we can save you about 30% compared to other companies! Contact us for a free consultation with our lead engineer, and we’ll create a custom estimate that fits your specific needs and budget.

Absolutely! Our experienced engineers love helping customers make their designs better. We provide a design for manufacturability (DFM) analysis where we review your drawings and give suggestions to improve your project. This helps make sure your prototype will work well and can be made efficiently. We want your project to be successful, so we’re happy to share our expertise.

We work with a huge variety of materials! For metals, we use aluminum, steel, stainless steel, titanium, brass, copper, and many others. For plastics, we work with ABS, PC, PP, POM, PMMA (acrylic), and more. We also handle special materials like silicone rubber, glass, wood, marble, leather, and fabric. With over 30 different material options, we can probably work with whatever you need.

Your ideas are completely safe with us! We take confidentiality very seriously. All our communication systems have information security management, and our staff gets special training about keeping secrets. We even require workers to keep their phones in lockers outside the workshops. We’re also happy to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) if you want extra protection for your ideas.

We use the most advanced manufacturing methods available today. Our main processes include CNC machining, 3D printing, vacuum casting, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, and rapid tooling. We also offer excellent surface finishing services like anodizing, electroplating, painting, polishing, sandblasting, and silk screen printing. This means we can handle your project from start to finish.

Yes, we love small batch orders! Besides making prototypes, we also specialize in low-volume manufacturing. This means after you’re happy with your prototype, we can make small quantities of your product without needing expensive tooling. Whether you need 10 pieces or 1000 pieces, we can help you bridge the gap between prototyping and full production.

We work with companies in many different industries! Our main areas include consumer electronics (like phones and tablets), automotive (car parts and accessories), medical devices, home appliances, telecommunications equipment, and aerospace components. We’ve served 18 Fortune 500 companies and over 10,000 small and medium businesses, so we understand the unique needs of different industries.

Quality is our top priority! We have 300 experienced technicians and use precision equipment to make sure every prototype meets high standards. Before you pay the final balance, we’ll send you photos or videos of your finished prototype. If there’s any quality problem that’s our fault, we’ll replace the parts for free. We’ve been doing this for 20+ years, so we know how to get it right.

Absolutely! We have state-of-the-art equipment including 5-axis CNC machines that can create very complex parts with incredible precision. Our team has worked on everything from simple plastic housings to complex aerospace components. If you can design it, we can probably make it. Send us your files and we’ll let you know exactly what we can do.

We work fast! In most cases, we’ll send you a quote within 12 hours of receiving your request. Sometimes complex projects might take a bit longer, but we’ll always let you know if there’s going to be a delay. We understand that you’re excited about your project and want to move forward quickly, so we prioritize getting quotes out fast.

We stand behind our work! If you’re not satisfied with your prototype and it’s due to something we did wrong, we’ll fix it or remake it at no extra cost. We want you to be completely happy with the result. Before we ship anything, we’ll send you detailed photos or videos so you can see exactly what you’re getting.

Yes, we’re experts in surface finishing! We can do anodizing, electroplating, painting, polishing, sandblasting, silk screen printing, and many other finishes. Whether you want a shiny chrome look, a matte black finish, or something completely custom, we can make it happen. Good surface finishing can make your prototype look just like a production part.

Of course! We understand that sometimes you might already have relationships with other suppliers or need specific components from certain vendors. We’re happy to work with your existing suppliers and integrate their parts into your prototype. Just let us know what you need, and we’ll coordinate everything to make the process smooth for you.

The beauty of prototyping is that you usually only need one piece! We can make single prototypes or small quantities – whatever you need for testing and development. There’s no minimum order quantity that’s too small for us. Whether you need 1 piece or 50 pieces, we’re here to help you get exactly what you need.

We’re located in southern China near major shipping ports, which helps us get your prototypes to you faster and more affordably. We work with reliable shipping companies and can handle all the logistics for you. We’ll keep you updated on the progress of your shipment and provide tracking information so you know exactly when to expect your prototype.

We’ve been perfecting our craft for over 20 years, and it shows! We have 75 sets of advanced Japanese equipment, 300 skilled technicians, and we’ve completed projects for over 10,000 companies. We combine speed (3-day delivery), quality (precision manufacturing), and affordability (30% cost savings) in a way that’s hard to find elsewhere. Plus, we genuinely care about your success and will work with you to make sure your project turns out exactly as you envisioned.

Get Free Quote For Your Prototype | Parts Project

Contact Prototype | Parts Project, We’re Ready To Talk With You.