Wexmar provides prototype machining services for engineers who need functional parts in production materials, made on the same equipment that will run production. We machine turned, Swiss, and milled prototypes in steel, stainless, nickel alloys, aluminum, titanium, and plastics, and inspect them against your drawing before they ship. If you are looking for a CNC prototype machine shop or prototype machining near me in Central New York, our Canastota shop near Syracuse works directly with your engineering team.
What prototype machining is
Prototype machining produces a small number of parts, often one to a few dozen, to prove a design before committing to production. Unlike 3D printed models, machined prototypes are made from the real material, with real tolerances and surface finishes, so they can be assembled, pressure tested, run in equipment, or submitted for customer approval. A good prototype also tests manufacturability: whether the part can be held, cut, and inspected efficiently when volumes rise.
When you need machined prototypes
- Functional testing of shafts, housings, fittings, and mechanisms in production materials
- Fit checks and assembly trials before tooling or production release
- Customer or program samples that must match the drawing
- Design iterations where each revision needs a quick, accurate part
- Pilot lots ahead of a production launch
Wexmar machines used for prototypes
Prototypes run on production equipment. Round parts go to our ten CNC lathes, including Mazak Nexus QT200, Nexus 250, Nexus 100-II, 200 MS, Multiplex 6300Y, and Nexus 450-II machines, Doosan Lynx 2100A lathes, and a Boss 552, all with live tooling and Y-axis capability. Small precision parts to 32 mm diameter can run on our four Maier MLK-32 Swiss machines when geometry demands it. Prismatic parts run on our six Mazak horizontal machining centers, including FH4800, PFH4800, Nexus 4000-II, and Nexus 5000-II models. Wexmar does not offer 5-axis milling; many parts that look like 5-axis work can be produced on a 4-axis horizontal with indexed setups. See the machine list.
Prototype to production on one floor
When a prototype is made on the machine that will run production, the program, fixturing, and inspection method carry forward. That shortens the path from approved prototype to first production lot and reduces the risk that production parts differ from the samples you tested. See our low-volume machining page for the next step.
Typical tolerances and finishes on prototypes
| Feature | Typical capability |
|---|---|
| Turned diameters | ±0.001 in; ±0.0005 in by review |
| Swiss diameters | ±0.0005 in; ±0.0002 in by review |
| Milled dimensions | ±0.005 in; ±0.001 in by review |
| Hole true position | 0.005 in; 0.001 in by review |
| Surface finish | 63 Ra standard; 32 Ra and ground finishes available |
| Threads | Class 2A / 2B standard; 3A / 3B by review |
Design feedback
Our estimators and programmers review prototype drawings for features that add cost without adding function, such as very small internal corner radii, deep narrow pockets, or tight tolerances on non-critical features. When we see one, we note it on the quote so you can decide whether to change the design before production. We do not change your design without approval.
What to send with a prototype request
- A STEP model and a PDF drawing with tolerances, threads, and finish callouts
- Material and any heat treat or finish requirements
- Quantity now, and expected production quantity if known
- Which features are critical to the test, so we can focus inspection there
- Your required ship date, so we can tell you up front whether it is realistic
Materials
Prototypes are machined in carbon and alloy steels, 300-series, 400-series, and PH stainless, Nitronic 50, Inconel, Monel, Hastelloy, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, titanium, and engineered plastics such as acetal, PEEK, and nylon. Heat treat, plating, anodizing, passivation, and other finishes are handled through qualified outside processors that Wexmar manages.
Quantity fit
Prototype orders are typically one to about 25 pieces. We keep fixturing simple at these quantities to control cost, then build production fixtures once the design is released.
Inspection deliverables
Prototypes can ship with a dimensional or CMM report from our Brown & Sharpe CMMs, an AS9102-format first article if the part is headed for production, and material certifications. Our quality system is ISO 9001:2015-aligned.
Getting a quote
Send a STEP model and PDF drawing with material, quantity, and any finish requirements. You can upload a drawing for an instant estimate, and a human estimator confirms every quote before release. Call (315) 400-2654 or email ron@backwell.com, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern.