Low-Volume Manufacturing Niche Service for Small Production Runs and Rapid Prototyping

What Is Low-Volume Manufacturing?

Low-volume manufacturing is a niche service that provides production-quality parts in quantities ranging from a single unit to several thousand. It is perfect for advancing an idea from the conceptual phase to prototyping, and subsequently serving as a stepping stone to full-scale production.

Low-volume production is deemed a specialized service as most manufacturers are reluctant to undertake it. Their production lines and logistics are designed for high-volume production to capitalize on economies of scale. This method is effective for minimizing the cost per unit. Nonetheless, it often necessitates substantial minimum order quantities and an investment in costly tooling.

Tolerances

Our general tolerances for CNC machining of metals is DIN-2768-1-fine and for plastics is DIN-2768-1-medium. Tolerances are greatly affected by part geometry and type of material. Our project managers will consult with you on every part of your project and will seek to provide the highest degree of precision possible.

Materials for Custom CNC Machining Parts
Various materials are available for CNC machines, giving you options for rapid prototyping and custom production runs of complex parts. We provide instant quotes on more than 150 metals and plastics for your manufacturing needs, and you can even compare prices on different processed materials.
	ALuminum Aluminum is a highly ductile metal, making it easy to machining. The material has a good strength-to-weight ratio and is available in many types for a range of applications.	Aluminum
		Machinable Material Types	AL6061-T6,AL6063-T6,AL6082 AL7075-T6,AL5052-H32
		Lead Time	3 days
		Tolerances	±0. 01mm
		Max part size	200 x 80 x 100 cm
	Copper Copper displays excellent thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and plasticity. It is also highly ductile, corrosion resistant and can be easily welded.	Copper
		Wall Thickness	0. 75 mm
		Lead Time	3 days
		Tolerances	±0. 01mm
		Max part size	200 x 80 x 100 cm
	Brass Brass has desirable properties for a number of applications. It is low friction, has excellent electrical conductivity and has a golden (brass) appearance.	Brass
		Wall Thickness	0. 75 mm
		Lead Time	3 days
		Tolerances	±0. 01mm
		Max part size	200 x 80 x 100 cm
	Stainless Steel Stainless steel is the low carbon steel that offers many properties that are sought after for industrial applications. Stainless steel typically contains a minimum of 10% chromium by weight.	Stainless Steel
		Machinable Material Types	304 SS, 303 SS, 316 SS, SS 430F, 301 SS etc.
		Lead Time	3 days
		Tolerances	±0. 01mm
		Max part size	200 x 80 x 100 cm
	Titanium Titanium has a number of material properties that make it the ideal metal for demanding applications. These properties include excellent resistance to corrosion, chemicals and extreme temperatures. The metal also has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.	Titanium
		Wall Thickness	0. 75 mm
		Lead Time	3 days
		Tolerances	±0. 01mm
		Max part size	200 x 80 x 100 cm
	Plastics Plastics are also a very popular option for CNC machining because of its wide choices, relatively lower price, and significantly faster machining time needed. We provide all common plastics for CNC machining services.	Plastics
		Machinable Material Types	Buff ABS, Black ABS, Clear ABS, 94V0 flame retarding ABS, ABS+PC, Black Polycarbonate, Transparent Polycarbonate, Acrylic, NYLON 6, NYLON 66, PA6+30%GF , HDPE, POM, PP, PP+20%GF, PE, TEFLON,PPS, PEEK, PPO, PPE, PEI
		Lead Time	3 days
		Tolerances	±0. 01mm
		Max part size	200 x 80 x 100 cm

How To Choose The Right Rapid Prototyping Technique

Material Costs: Material costs can also differ between low-volume and high-volume manufacturing. In high-volume production, manufacturers may have the advantage of bulk purchasing, negotiating better material prices, and taking advantage of long-term contracts with suppliers. These factors can help reduce material costs per unit compared to low-volume manufacturing.

Efficiency and Automation: High-volume manufacturing often involves greater automation and optimized production processes, leading to higher efficiency and reduced labor costs per unit. Low-volume manufacturing may require more manual labor, setup time, and customization, leading to higher labor costs per unit.

How To Process Low-Volume Manufacturing

The key to success in low volume manufacturing lies in the strategic production of small batches of products, which can range from a few items to tens of thousands. The primary goal is to minimize expenses related to tooling, labor, and materials without compromising production speed or product quality. This balance is achieved through process optimization and the selection of cost-effective resources. Low volume manufacturing is particularly suited for specialized or customized products, allowing for rapid market entry and design flexibility while reducing overhead costs.

Regarding raw materials, there is indeed a difference in low volume manufacturing. Metals like steel, aluminum, brass, and copper are commonly used due to their durability and resistance to wear, while plastics such as ABS, nylon, and polycarbonate are selected for their lightweight, flexibility, and affordability.

As for processing methods, technologies such as additive manufacturing (3D printing), CNC machining, and rapid tooling are advantageous for low volume production, offering benefits like lower costs and faster turnaround times.

Finally, the quality of the finished product in low volume manufacturing is ensured through cost-effective production of high-quality parts, maintaining a high degree of customization to cater to specific client needs.

Our clients are concerned that low-volume manufacturing doesn’t mean compromising quality or precision when compared to full production manufacturing. Rest assured that when we process lower volume orders we use the same materials, the same equipment, and the same rigorous quality control.

How do we do it? We’re experts in high-mix, low volume production because our systems are optimized to be scalable, from one part to a million. That means we have a robust supply chain of raw materials so you won’t be burdened with minimum order volume restrictions. And we have a digital manufacturing platform that ties all of our equipment together into a single network. That allows us to allocate resources quickly and efficiently between work centers in order to process even complex orders fast.

What Separates Barana Rapid’s Inspection Processes from the Rest?

Careful measurement, inspection and testing are necessary to ensure the conformance of your parts. We perform multiple inspections at every step of the product development journey, from incoming material verification to final 3D scanning. You will receive complete digital files and Certificates of Compliance so you can meet your own regulatory and performance goals.