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Metal Prototypes
Metal prototypes are suitable for applications requiring strength, durability, dimensional accuracy or production-like material properties.
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.
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Appearance Prototypes
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Functional Prototypes
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Structural Prototypes
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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.
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Smart Devices & Robotics
Robots, drones, communication equipment, smart devices and connected products requiring physical prototypes.
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Automotive Products
Automotive components, interior and exterior parts, vehicle concepts and other transportation-related prototypes.
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Home Appliances
Product housings, controls, consumer appliances and other hardware requiring appearance and functional validation.
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Medical Devices
Physical prototypes for medical and healthcare product development, including housings, assemblies and functional models.
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Industrial Products
Industrial equipment, components, tools, instruments and engineered products requiring prototype validation.
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Wearables & Lifestyle Products
Watches, wearable devices, personal products and other compact products where appearance, fit and usability matter.
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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.
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Plastic Prototypes
Plastic prototypes can be manufactured in different engineering plastics for appearance evaluation, assembly checks and functional testing.
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Rubber Prototypes
Rubber prototypes are useful when flexibility, soft-touch properties or elastomer-like characteristics are required for product evaluation.
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Solid Wood Prototypes
Solid wood prototypes can be used for form studies, appearance models, presentation models and applications where a natural material is required.
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Marble Prototypes
Marble prototypes can be produced for product concepts, architectural models and high-end appearance applications where stone is part of the design.
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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.
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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.
Explore CNC Machining →
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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.
Explore 3D Printing →
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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.
Explore Urethane Casting →
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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.
Explore Sheet Metal →
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PRODUCTION-INTENT
Injection Molding
Injection molding can be considered when prototypes require production-intent plastic parts, repeatability or a transition toward larger quantities.
Explore Injection Molding →
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PROTOTYPE TO PRODUCTION
Low-Volume Manufacturing
When prototypes need to move beyond validation, low-volume manufacturing provides a practical path toward producing small quantities before full-scale production.
Explore Low-Volume Manufacturing →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.
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
HEMTOM FINISHING SAMPLES
Surface Finishes We Can Produce
From smooth polished surfaces and metallic effects to custom colors, textures and decorative finishes, Hemtom can finish prototype parts according to the intended product appearance.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Prototype Production
Hemtom converts the approved design into a physical prototype through the appropriate manufacturing, assembly, finishing and testing processes.
MANUFACTURING PROCESS
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CNC Programming
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Machining
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Blank Model Assembly
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Polishing & Finishing
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Post Processing
Spray Painting · Silkscreening · Anodizing · Electroplating
· Coating · Laser Etching · Diamond Cutting
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Lighting Effects
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Function Testing
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Final Prototype Assembly
Customer-supplied PCB or internal components can be assembled
when required by the project.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Delivery
After final payment and shipment preparation, Hemtom arranges delivery of the completed prototypes to your specified destination.
READY TO BUILD YOUR PROTOTYPE?
REQUEST A QUOTE
Start with your project requirements, CAD or CMF files.
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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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.
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.