Real CNC Machined Parts in as Fast as 1 Day! Real CNC Machined Parts
In as Fast as 1 Day!

Prices from £50. Best for 1-10 parts.
Made from real materials in 1-3 days.

Choose from over 30 different materials including ABS, Nylon, PC,
Delrin, PEEK, ULTEM, and aluminium.

First Cut provides real CNC machined parts — FAST. Our subtractive rapid prototyping process combines traditional rapid prototyping with CNC machining to deliver the following advantages:

  • Speed — Get CNC machined parts at least as fast as you can get additive rapid prototypes.
  • Convenience — First Cut brings the online quoting and ordering you expect from rapid prototyping to the CNC machining world.
  • Real material properties — Your parts are machined from real blocks of plastic and aluminium — not the "material like" materials used in additive rapid prototyping processes.
  • Improved surface finishes — CNC machining eliminates the stair stepping inherent in the additive processes.

Click here to see how CNC machined parts compare to FDM parts.


Typical Applications

  • Functional prototyping before committing to injection moulding tooling or high volume machining.
  • Custom "one off" projects like jigs and fixtures where only one or maybe a few parts are required.


Stay Current
Prototyping Processes white paper - Choose the best machining process for your project. Our Prototyping Processes white paper will help you choose the best process for your project.

Register to download your copy today!

Get a running start on the fastest prototype machined parts around by submitting your 3D CAD model to our FirstQuote automated quoting system. You'll get pricing, options, and, if appropriate, suggested changes for improved machinability.

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Rapid Injection Moulding

Need more than 10 parts? Protomold ships injection moulded plastic parts in as little as one business day after receipt of your 3D CAD model.
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Customer Testimonials
17 August 2010
"Thanks for the effort in getting this to us - this part is now fitted to a customer test vehicle as part of a sensor system - and wouldn't have happened without you getting it here on Saturday. Thanks again."
—Name withheld for confidentiality*
News Releases
Another First Cut First!
18 June 2010Read
Case Studies
Proto Labs® and the Perfect Stormflex™
31 March 2010Read
Machining Tips e-Newsletter
CNC Machining of Prototype Parts
22 July 2010Read
Journal Magazine
2010 Issue 2 - Bigger, Better, Faster
9 September 2010Read
Press Coverage
Proto Labs win MWP Award for Best Subcontractor - Machining
17 June 2010Read
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Sep 14-16, 2010
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TCT Live 2010
Oct 19-20, 2010
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K 2010
Oct 27- Nov 3, 2010
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Midest 2010
Nov 2-5, 2010
Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre
PARIS, France

Euromold
Dec 1-4, 2010
Exhibition Center Frankfurt
FRANKFURT/MAIN, Germany



Design Guidelines
Designing for the
First Cut machining
process.
Learn More

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