Why Low Volume CNC Matters
Most CNC factories optimize for high-volume production. Setup time is amortized over thousands of pieces, and small orders disrupt their production flow. As a result, many shops add significant surcharges to orders under 100 pieces — or refuse them entirely.
EKINSUN has structured our operation differently. A significant portion of our work is prototypes, first articles, and small batches. We have the engineering support (drawings, DFM review, material selection) and the flexibility to run 1-piece jobs alongside our production batches.
What We Mean by Low Volume
| Category | Quantity | Typical Use | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single prototype | 1–3 pieces | Design validation, fit check, investor demo | 5–15 days |
| Trial batch | 5–20 pieces | Field testing, engineering samples for clients | 7–18 days |
| Small production | 20–100 pieces | Initial market launch, spare parts stock | 10–25 days |
| Low-volume production | 100–500 pieces | Established product, small market | 15–35 days |
Prototype CNC Milling, Turning & Small-Batch Runs
The same shop covers the whole low-volume range, so you don't have to split a job across vendors. Send the part and we route it to the right process:
- Prototype CNC milling — 3- and 5-axis milling of brackets, housings, plates, manifold blocks and enclosures from a single piece
- Prototype CNC turning — shafts, bushings, adapters, spacers and fittings turned to your drawing, one-offs included
- Small-batch CNC machining — 5 to 100 pieces with tooling and setup shared across the batch, so the per-unit price drops as quantity rises
- Low-volume production — 100 to 500-piece runs without high-volume tooling investment
Because we run prototypes and small batches alongside production, your few pieces aren't a disruption we penalize — they're normal work. That is why there are no setup fees on standard parts and no minimum order.
Prototype Support Included
When you order a prototype, you get more than machined metal. We include:
- DFM review — we flag features that are expensive to machine, difficult to hold in tolerance, or prone to distortion, before cutting material
- Material advice — if your drawing says "aluminum" but doesn't specify a grade, we advise based on your application requirements
- Free CAD redraw — if you send a hand sketch, we draw it in CAD and send back for approval at no extra charge
- Dimensional report — for first prototypes, we include CMM measurements so you can verify the part against your specification
What Makes Small Orders Viable for Us
We run modern CNC centers with short setup times and our own tooling library. For turned parts under Ø100mm, setup time is typically under 30 minutes. For milled parts, we use modular fixturing that reduces setup time on repeat geometries.
We also keep common materials (6061-T6, 7075-T6, 304SS, 316L, C36000 brass, 1045 steel) in stock at all times. For standard materials, your prototype doesn't wait for material procurement.
Ordering Your First Prototype
- Send drawing (any format — hand sketch, PDF, STEP, DXF)
- Specify material, quantity, and any critical tolerances
- We quote within 24 hours with lead time
- 50% deposit to start, 50% before dispatch
- CMM report included for first article
- DHL Express worldwide — 3–5 days to USA/EU
Low-Volume Work From Our Workshop
Prototype and small-batch orders — from single pieces to short runs:
// Proof your part is right
A prototype is only useful if you can trust it. On request, every order ships with:
- Material certificate (EN 10204 3.1) for the stock we machined — verify it's 6061-T6, 316L, etc.
- CMM dimensional report on the first article, measured against your drawing
- Machined in an ISO 9001 shop (ISO 13485 for medical parts)
- DFM review before cutting, so problems surface on screen, not on the part
Get a Quote on Your Low-Volume Part
Give us the essentials for a fast quote. Send your drawing or sketch to [email protected] (STEP, DXF, PDF or a photo) or via WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Small batches of 5 to 100 pieces are core work. We share tooling and setup across the batch, so the per-unit price drops as quantity rises — with no minimum order on standard parts.
One piece. We machine single prototypes by CNC milling and turning with no setup fee on standard parts. Lead time for a 1-piece prototype is typically 5–15 days.
Yes — from 100 to 500 pieces and beyond. We keep common materials in stock and use modular fixturing, so low-volume runs go ahead without high-volume tooling costs.
No setup fees on standard parts. Complex parts needing custom fixturing may carry a one-time fixturing cost, which we state up front in the quote — never as a surprise.
Yes. We accept hand sketches, photos, PDF drawings, and any CAD format. For sketches we redraw in 3D CAD and send back for approval before machining, at no extra charge.
Yes. On request we supply a material certificate (EN 10204 3.1) for the stock used and a CMM dimensional report verifying the parts against your drawing.