Creating A Plastic Prototype: Understanding The Cost Factors

The cost of making a plastic prototype can vary depending on the type, quality, and quantity of the material, as well as the complexity of the design. A simple plastic prototype can cost as little as $15, but the price can increase drastically if injection moulding is required, with prices ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. In China, some shops may charge as little as $5 an hour to cut ABS plastic, while others may charge up to $150 per hour for high-speed 5-axis machines. At HLH Rapid, SLA materials start from $0.4 per gram, while stock billets of material for CNC prototyping can range from $3 to over $200 per kilogram. The number of skilled workers, their wages, and the hours dedicated to operation and post-processing also influence the final cost.

Cost of materials

The cost of materials for a plastic prototype can vary depending on the type, quality and quantity of the material itself. For example, at HLH Rapid, SLA materials start from $0.4 per gram and SLS (Nylon) from $0.7 per gram. In comparison, stock billets of material for CNC prototyping range from around $3 per kilogram up to over $200 per kilogram. The number of skilled workers, their wages, and the hours dedicated to operation and post-processing will also influence the overall cost. For instance, in 3D printing, distinct cost-per-hour rates are often applied for various materials.

The cost of a simple plastic prototype can be as low as $15, but if injection moulding is required, the price can increase drastically, ranging from as low as $10,000 to around $100,000. The cost of a simple 3D-printed prototype with minimal post-processing and assembly can range from $30 to $5,000, depending on the size and complexity of the design. Examples of this type of prototype include plastic products with few, non-moving parts, such as an electronic device enclosure, a dog toy or a container.

In China, some shops will quickly cut ABS plastic with little regard for tolerances, charging as little as $5 an hour, while parts that demand high-speed 5-axis machines can cost around $150 per hour.

The actual cost of a prototype may vary due to various factors, and it is difficult to suggest an exact price. However, by considering the type, quality and quantity of materials, as well as labour costs and manufacturing processes, one can estimate the approximate cost of a plastic prototype.

Cost of labour

The cost of labour is a key factor in the overall price of a plastic prototype. The number of skilled workers, their wages, and the hours dedicated to operation and post-processing will all influence the final cost. For example, in 3D printing, distinct cost-per-hour rates are often applied for various materials.

In China, some shops will quickly cut ABS plastic with little regard for tolerances, charging as little as $5 an hour. In contrast, parts that demand high-speed 5-axis machines can cost around $150 per hour.

The cost of labour can also vary depending on the type of prototype manufacturer chosen. Working with an individual handyman may be cheaper than collaborating with a prototyping manufacturer. However, a custom manufacturer (metal fabrication, injection moulding, laser cutting, CNC machining, etc.) is often more qualified and can provide better quality prototypes, especially if they have a track record in building product prototypes.

While the exact price of a plastic prototype is difficult to determine, a simple plastic prototype can cost just under $15. However, if injection moulding is required, the price range moves from as low as $10,000 to around $100,000. A simple 3D printed prototype with minimal post-processing and assembly can cost anywhere from $30 to $5,000, depending on the size and complexity of the design. The manufacturing set-up can also start at $30,000.

Cost of machinery

The cost of machinery for plastic prototyping varies depending on the type, quality, and quantity of the material itself. SLA materials start from $0.4 per gram and SLS (Nylon) from $0.7 per gram. In comparison, stock billets of material for CNC prototyping range from around $3 per kilogram up to over $200 per kilogram. The number of skilled workers, their wages, and notably, the hours dedicated to operation and post-processing directly influence costs. For example, in 3D printing, distinct cost-per-hour rates are often applied for various materials. The purchase, maintenance, and operation of machinery and tools directly contribute to the total cost.

The actual cost of a plastic prototype may vary due to various factors. A simple 3D printed prototype with minimal post-processing and assembly can cost anywhere from $30 to $5,000, depending on the size and complexity of the design. Examples of this type of prototype include plastic products with few, non-moving parts, such as an electronic device enclosure, a dog toy, or a container. Working with an individual handyman is not necessarily cheaper compared to collaborating with a prototyping manufacturer. A handyman may not always have the right tools for the job, while a custom manufacturer (metal fabrication, injection moulding, laser cutting, CNC machining, etc.) is often more qualified. Although the cost tends to be higher, better quality is worth the expense. It is difficult to suggest an exact price; you can get a simple plastic prototype for just under $15, but the cost increases drastically if injection mould is required, with prices ranging from as low as $10,000 to around $100,000. In China, some shops will quickly cut ABS plastic with little regard for tolerances, charging as little as $5 an hour, and there are parts that demand high-speed 5-axis machines costing around $150 per hour.

Cost of post-processing

The cost of post-processing a plastic prototype varies depending on a number of factors. The number of skilled workers, their wages, and the hours dedicated to operation and post-processing all directly influence costs. For example, in 3D printing, distinct cost-per-hour rates are often applied for various materials. The purchase, maintenance, and operation of machinery and tools also directly contribute to the total cost.

As a rough estimate, SLA materials start from $0.4 per gram and SLS (Nylon) from $0.7 per gram. In comparison, stock billets of material for CNC prototyping range from around $3 per kilogram up to over $200 per kilogram.

In China, some shops will quickly cut ABS plastic with little regard for tolerances, charging as little as $5 an hour, and there are parts that demand high-speed 5-axis machines costing around $150 per hour.

A simple 3D printed prototype with minimal post-processing and assembly can cost anywhere from $30 to $5,000, depending on the size and complexity of the design. Examples of this type of prototype include plastic products with few, non-moving parts, such as an electronic device enclosure, a dog toy, or a container.

It’s important to note that the actual cost of your prototype may vary due to various factors. The listed ranges should be taken as a general guide only, as each prototype is a unique combination of art and science.

Cost of manufacturing set-up

The cost of manufacturing set-up depends on a range of factors, including the type, quality and quantity of the material itself. For example, SLA materials start from $0.4 per gram, while SLS (Nylon) starts from $0.7 per gram. CNC prototyping materials range from $3 per kilogram to over $200 per kilogram. The number of skilled workers, their wages, and the hours dedicated to operation and post-processing also influence costs. For instance, 3D printing often has distinct cost-per-hour rates for various materials. The purchase, maintenance and operation of machinery and tools also contribute to the total cost.

In China, some shops will quickly cut ABS plastic with little regard for tolerances, charging as little as $5 an hour. However, parts that demand high-speed 5-axis machines can cost around $150 per hour.

A simple plastic prototype can cost under $15, but if injection moulding is required, the price can increase to between $10,000 and $100,000. A simple 3D-printed prototype with minimal post-processing and assembly can cost anywhere from $30 to $5,000, depending on the size and complexity of the design.

Frequently asked questions