Low-Volume Manufacturing Service

Get 10 to 10,000 parts with the same quality as high-volume production. We offer CNC, injection molding, and sheet metal with no minimum order requirements.

Why Low Volume Manufacturing Matters

No Order Pressure

You don't have to worry about huge minimums here. Order exactly what you need , whether it's 10 or 100 parts

Enter the Market Faster

Get to market with production-quality parts while you're still scaling up. Test your design with 500 units before you commit to ordering 50,000.

Lower Your Risks

Save your capital by delaying big investments in tooling and inventory until you know the market demand is there. De-risk your business from day one.

Stay Flexible

With low-volume runs, you can easily make design changes between batches. If you find a fix in the first 100 units, the next 100 can include it without wasting expensive tools.

What Is Low Volume Manufacturing?

Low volume manufacturing covers the range from roughly 10 parts to 10,000 parts per year , above prototype quantities where every part is hand-built, and below the volumes where the economics of high-speed automation and expensive multi-cavity tooling justify the investment. The right process for low volume depends heavily on the geometry, material, and tolerance of the part , not just the quantity.

For metal parts, CNC machining is the standard low-volume process from 1 to approximately 1,000 parts per year, depending on geometry. Above that range, die casting or stamping often becomes more economical, but requires tooling investment. For plastic parts, aluminum rapid tooling for injection molding is typically the best solution from 500 to 10,000 parts , it costs far less than a production steel tool, produces parts in the actual production resin, and delivers injection-molded quality you cannot replicate with 3D printing or vacuum casting.

The highest-cost mistake in low volume manufacturing is choosing the wrong process for the volume. Using CNC machining for 5,000 plastic parts when aluminum injection tooling would cost less in total , or investing in production steel tooling for a program that only needs 2,000 parts per year , both result in higher cost than necessary. We give you a frank process recommendation in the quote based on your quantity and annual volume forecast, not just what fills our machines.

Our Low Volume Manufacturing Capabilities

We run CNC machining (no minimum), sheet metal fabrication (from 10 pieces), aluminum rapid injection tooling (500–10,000 parts), and vacuum casting (5–50 parts) at our facility. All low-volume orders include full First Article Inspection with CMM report. Rapid CNC prototypes ship in 3–7 days; aluminum injection mold T0 samples in 7–14 days. No reduced documentation for small orders , inspection and material traceability are the same regardless of quantity.

CNC Machining

Precision CNC Machining for Prototypes & Low-Volume Production

Our CNC machining service is ideal for producing high-precision prototypes and low-volume production parts with excellent consistency. We machine aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, titanium, engineering plastics, and many other materials using advanced 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis CNC equipment.

Whether you need a single prototype or several thousand production parts, our experienced engineering team helps ensure tight tolerances, outstanding surface quality, and fast turnaround times for every project.

Plastic Injection Molding

Low-Volume Plastic Injection Molding

Injection molding is one of the most efficient manufacturing methods once your design is ready for production. Our low-volume injection molding service provides high-quality molded plastic parts without the high tooling investment associated with mass production.

Choose from a wide range of engineering plastics, custom colors, textures, and finishes to create functional prototypes, bridge production parts, or short-run manufacturing before full-scale production begins.

Sheet Metal Fabrication

Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication

Our sheet metal fabrication service delivers precision-cut, bent, welded, and assembled metal components for prototypes and small production batches. Using laser cutting, CNC bending, punching, and welding technologies, we manufacture parts with excellent dimensional accuracy and repeatability.

Whether you’re building equipment enclosures, brackets, cabinets, or custom assemblies, we provide flexible manufacturing solutions with rapid lead times.

Aluminum & Plastic Extrusion

Extrusion is an efficient manufacturing process for producing long components with consistent cross-sectional profiles. We provide custom aluminum and plastic extrusion solutions for prototypes, low-volume production, and specialized industrial applications.

From structural aluminum profiles to engineering plastic extrusions, we help customers achieve lightweight, durable, and cost-effective solutions with flexible production quantities.

Additive Manufacturing

Industrial 3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing allows designers and engineers to quickly transform digital concepts into functional physical parts. Using industrial 3D printing technologies, we manufacture complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible using traditional machining methods.

Ideal for rapid prototyping, functional testing, design validation, and bridge manufacturing, additive manufacturing helps shorten development cycles while reducing tooling costs and accelerating innovation.

Vacuum Casting

Vacuum Casting for High-Quality Prototype Parts

Vacuum casting is an excellent solution for producing small batches of plastic parts with production-like appearance and performance. Silicone molds allow us to manufacture high-quality polyurethane components quickly and economically without investing in expensive steel tooling.

It is widely used for appearance models, functional prototypes, engineering validation, and bridge production before transitioning to injection molding.

Pressure Die Casting

Low-Volume Pressure Die Casting

Pressure die casting offers an excellent solution for producing complex aluminum and zinc alloy components with high dimensional consistency and outstanding surface finishes. For low-volume projects, we provide flexible tooling solutions that reduce upfront investment while maintaining production quality.

It’s an excellent choice for functional prototypes, bridge production, and custom metal parts that require strength, repeatability, and attractive cosmetic finishes.

Metal Injection Molding (Replace Investment Casting)

Metal Injection Molding (MIM)

Metal Injection Molding combines the design flexibility of plastic injection molding with the strength and durability of metal. It is ideal for producing small, intricate metal components with tight tolerances, excellent repeatability, and minimal material waste.

MIM is especially suitable for medium- to high-volume production of complex parts used in medical devices, automotive systems, electronics, aerospace, and industrial equipment. It enables near-net-shape manufacturing, reducing secondary machining while delivering high-quality finished components.

Assembly Services

Value-Added Assembly Services

Beyond manufacturing individual components, we also provide value-added assembly services to help simplify your supply chain. From mechanical assembly and hardware installation to packaging and quality inspection, our experienced team ensures every product is delivered ready for use.

By combining multiple manufacturing processes under one roof, we help customers reduce lead times, lower logistics costs, and improve overall production efficiency.

Why Choose Samshion for Low Volume Manufacturing?

Most high-volume production factories in China have minimum order requirements , typically tens of thousands of parts , because their equipment and operations are designed for long, uninterrupted runs on a single part. Our facility is specifically set up for high-mix, low-volume work. We run short batches efficiently: CNC machining with no minimum quantity, rapid aluminum injection tooling for 500–10,000 injection-molded parts, sheet metal fabrication from 10 pieces, and vacuum casting for 5–50 prototype parts.

Every process we use for low volume is the same process used in full production , not a prototype substitute. A low-volume CNC order uses the same material, the same tolerances, and the same inspection as a production run of 5,000 parts. A low-volume injection order uses aluminum tooling to mold your actual production resin, not a 3D-printed approximation. This matters when you are validating regulatory submissions, building pre-series for user studies, or fulfilling an initial production contract while production tooling is still being built.

Every low-volume order ships with a full First Article Inspection report, material certificates, and dimensional inspection data. There is no reduced documentation for small orders. The inspection cost is spread across fewer parts, which makes the per-part overhead higher than production , but the alternative, shipping parts with no inspection on the assumption that a small batch “probably has no problems,” is not something we offer. We inspect every order the same way, regardless of quantity.

Low Volume Manufacturing , How It Works

0 1

Volume Assessment

Our engineers will look at your needs and recommend the most cost-effective process , whether it's CNC, soft tooling, or casting , based on your volume and materials.

0 2

Full DFM Review

We perform a thorough check for manufacturability. We'll confirm draft angles, bend radii, and wall thicknesses with you before any production starts.

0 3

Quote & Confirmation

You'll get a detailed quote with no hidden fees. Once you accept, your project moves straight into production with a clear timeline.

0 4

Tooling & Programming

We build your aluminum tools or set up your CNC programs. We trial everything first to make sure your parts will come out exactly as planned.

0 5

Production & FAI

We start the run and perform a first article inspection on the initial pieces. Our CMM reports confirm every dimension before we release the full batch.

0 5

Inspection & Shipping

Your parts go through a final inspection and we ship them with all the material certs and reports you need. We can handle delivery to your door or your preferred port.

Best Process by Volume Range

SLA, SLS, MJF, CNC Machining

1–50 parts

Ideal when you need a fast turnaround without tooling investment. Use 3D printing for complex plastics or CNC for metal parts with tight tolerances.

Vacuum Casting, CNC Machining

50–500 parts

Vacuum casting is great for producing 20–50 plastic copies from silicone molds. We can match colors and even handle insert overmolding.

Rapid Injection Tooling, CNC Machining

500–5,000 parts

We use aluminum molds to give you production-grade thermoplastic parts at low volumes. It’s a fast, 1–2 week lead time for parts in real ABS, PP, or PC.

Steel Injection Molds, Die Casting, Stamping

5,000–50,000 parts

Transition to full production with steel tools for 500K+ shots. We also offer die casting for complex metals and stamping for high-volume flat parts.

Materials Available at Low Volume Manufacturing

Metals (CNC Machining)

Plastics (CNC + Rapid Tool)

Sheet Metals

Casting Alloys

Low Volume Manufacturing Applications

Quality Management for Low Volume Orders

We manage every order under our ISO 9001:2015 standards, giving you full documentation from start to finish.

0 1

First Article Inspection (FAI)

We perform 100% CMM measurements on your first pieces. We confirm every single dimension before releasing the batch and send you the report.

0 2

Material Certification

We only use approved mill suppliers. You'll get chemical and mechanical test certs with your shipment to prove your parts meet the spec.

0 3

In-Process Checks

We monitor your critical dimensions during the entire run. For larger orders, we use SPC to make sure your process stays perfectly in control.

0 4

Final Outgoing Inspection

Every batch is checked against our AQL sampling plan. We catch and replace any non-conforming parts before they ever leave our facility.

0 5

Full Traceability

We link every order to its material cert and inspection data. You get full lot traceability, which is essential for aerospace and medical projects.

Design Guidelines for Low Volume Production

Design for your final process

Design rules change between CNC and injection molding. While CNC doesn't need draft angles, molding does (1–3°). It's best to design for your eventual production process from the start.

Keep your materials consistent

Try to use the same material grade and supplier for both prototypes and production. Switching materials between volumes can change how your parts shrink and perform.

Start your documentation early

Establish your drawings and material specs from your very first order. Without good documentation, you can't repeat parts consistently or meet regulatory standards.

Match tolerances to the process

CNC machining can hit ±0.025mm, but sheet metal is closer to ±0.15mm. Set your expectations based on the process you've chosen, not just what you think you might need.

Plan for the tooling transition

If you're starting with CNC but plan to move to injection molding, design in your draft angles and uniform walls now. It'll save you a lot of time and money later.

Batch your orders for efficiency

Try to group your design revisions into larger batches. Ordering 25 parts at once is much more efficient than placing five separate orders for 5 parts each.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is low volume manufacturing?

Low volume manufacturing is the production of a relatively small quantity of parts, typically ranging from a few prototypes to several thousand units. It is an ideal solution for product development, bridge production, market testing, and custom manufacturing, allowing companies to launch products faster while avoiding the high costs associated with mass production.

What quantity is considered low volume production?

There is no universal standard, but most manufacturers define low volume production as anywhere from 10 to 10,000 parts, depending on the product and manufacturing process. Prototype projects may only require a few pieces, while bridge production often involves several hundred or several thousand units.

What manufacturing processes are available for low volume production?

We offer a complete range of low volume manufacturing services, including:

CNC Machining
Plastic Injection Molding
Metal Injection Molding (MIM)
Vacuum Casting
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Die Casting
Investment Casting
Aluminum & Plastic Extrusion
3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing)

This allows customers to choose the most cost-effective process based on their design, material, production volume, and application requirements.

Is low volume manufacturing more expensive than mass production?

Not necessarily.

Although the unit price is usually higher than large-scale production, low volume manufacturing eliminates expensive tooling investments, reduces inventory costs, and minimizes financial risk. For new product development and customized components, it is often the most economical option.

Which manufacturing process is best for my project?

The best process depends on several factors:

Production quantity
Material selection
Part complexity
Required tolerances
Surface finish
Budget
Delivery time

For example:

CNC machining is ideal for precision metal parts.
Injection molding is best for higher quantities of plastic components.
Vacuum casting is excellent for small batches of plastic prototypes.
Metal Injection Molding is suitable for complex small metal components.
Sheet metal fabrication works well for enclosures and brackets.

Our engineering team can recommend the most suitable manufacturing solution after reviewing your drawings.

How accurate are your manufactured parts?

Accuracy depends on the manufacturing process and part geometry.

For CNC machining, we typically achieve tolerances as tight as ±0.005 mm on critical dimensions when required. Inspection reports and CMM measurements can also be provided upon request to ensure every part meets your specifications.

Can I order prototypes first and move to production later?

Absolutely.

Many of our customers begin with a prototype or a small pilot batch before scaling up production. This approach allows you to verify fit, function, assembly, and performance before investing in larger production runs.

Once the design is validated, we can seamlessly transition your project into low volume or mass production.

How quickly can you deliver parts?

Lead time depends on the manufacturing process, material availability, and production quantity.

Typical lead times are:

Process	Typical Lead Time
CNC Machining	3–10 business days
Injection Molding	2–5 weeks
Vacuum Casting	7–15 days
Sheet Metal Fabrication	5–10 days
3D Printing	2–7 days
Metal Injection Molding	3–6 weeks

Rush production may also be available for urgent projects.

Can you help optimize my design before production?

Yes.

Our engineering team provides Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback before production begins. We review your design for machining feasibility, material selection, tolerances, wall thickness, draft angles, undercuts, and other factors that may affect cost or manufacturability.

This helps reduce production costs while improving part quality.

Do you provide surface finishing services?

Yes.

We offer a wide range of post-processing and surface finishing options, including:

Anodizing
Powder Coating
Sandblasting
Bead Blasting
Brushing
Polishing
Electropolishing
Black Oxide
Zinc Plating
Nickel Plating
Chrome Plating
Painting
Laser Engraving

Surface finishing improves both the appearance and functional performance of your parts.

Why choose Samshion Rapid for low volume manufacturing?

At Samshion Rapid, we combine multiple manufacturing technologies under one roof, allowing customers to source different types of parts from a single supplier.

Our advantages include:

Professional engineering support
Fast quotations
Competitive pricing
Flexible production quantities
Strict quality inspection
Rich material selection
Multiple manufacturing processes
Reliable lead times
One-stop manufacturing solutions from prototype to production

We’re committed to helping you shorten product development cycles while maintaining consistent quality and cost efficiency.

How do I get a quote?

Getting started is simple.

Just send us your 3D CAD files, 2D drawings, or project requirements. Our engineering team will review your design, recommend the most suitable manufacturing process, and provide a detailed quotation with pricing, lead time, material recommendations, and manufacturing suggestions.

Whether you need a single prototype or several thousand production parts, we’re ready to help turn your ideas into high-quality products.

Solutions

Machining Services

Molding Services

Fabrication Services

Prototypes Services

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