PROTOTYPING SUPPORT

RAPID PROTOTYPING & PRE-PRODUCTION SERVICES

When you’re ready to turn a design into a real part, we provide practical support to help validate and refine your product. Our in-house capabilities include CNC machining, 3D printing, laser marking, and light assembly, all designed to get you from CAD file to tested part quickly and reliably.

Whether you’re developing something new, refining an existing design, or producing one-off prototypes and short runs, we deliver fast, tailored engineering support from our Hertfordshire workshop, with close collaboration and quick UK-wide delivery.

THE PROTOTYPING PROCESS:

CAD design and 3D modelling for prototyping and CNC machining in Hertfordshire

CAD PREPARATION & ENGINEERING SUPPORT

We provide CAD design and engineering support to turn your drawings or models into fully manufacturable 3D files. Using advanced CAD/CAM software, we prepare your product for CNC machining, 3D printing, or full assembly, all from our Hertfordshire based workshop. This ensures your parts are production-ready for reliable manufacture.

CNC machined aluminium part for product development and prototyping at Karpas Engineering

CNC MACHINING

We produce precision prototypes and low-volume production parts using CNC Milling and CNC Turning. Whether you need aluminium prototypes, engineering plastics, or test components, we ensure tight tolerances and short lead times - right here in Hertfordshire.

FDM 3D printing of plastic prototype parts for form and fit testing in UK

3D PRINTING

Our in-house 3D printing service allows for fast, cost-effective plastic prototypes. These are ideal for validating form, fit, and function before committing to production.

We use FDM printing to support product development, industrial design, and rapid prototyping projects across the UK.

In-house assembly service including LED wiring and final prototype build in Hertfordshire

ASSEMBLY

We provide light mechanical assembly, LED integration, and final finishing for complete parts and products. Ideal for Lighting, enclosures, and small assemblies - this optional service means you can receive fully built, ready-to-use components.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO COMPLETE YOUR PROJECT

WE ALSO OFFER:

Laser etching part numbers and branding onto anodised aluminium components at Karpas Engineering in Hertfordshire

LASER ETCHING & MARKING

Add part numbers, logos, or graphics to prototypes using our in-house fibre laser - ideal for identification, branding, or compliance requirements.

Custom laser-cut foam and card inserts for protecting prototypes and product presentation, made in-house at Karpas Engineering

CUSTOM LASER CUT PACKAGING INSERTS

Protect and present your prototypes with precision-cut inserts made in-house using our laser cutting equipment. Ideal for shipping, product demos, or client-ready kits - and part of our full Laser Cutting services.

In-house FDM 3D printing and print farm for rapid prototyping and high-volume production at Karpas Engineering in Hertfordshire

3D PRINTING EXPANDED:

FROM RAPID PROTOTYPES TO PRINT FARM PRODUCTION

We use in-house 3D printing for everything from rapid prototypes to high-volume production. Our print farm can handle large quantities of FDM-printed components with fast turnaround, making it ideal for product development, small-batch manufacturing, and scalable part supply. Whether you need one part or one hundred, we print with consistency and quality.

NEED TO GET SOMETHING 3D PRINTED? Send your file or idea — we’ll print it fast and accurately, in-house.

REQUEST A PRINT

YOUR PROTOTYPING QUESTIONS ANSWERED

  • We produce a wide range of prototypes using CNC Machining, 3D printing, and laser-cut parts. Whether you need a functional aluminium prototype, plastic form model, or proof-of-concept assembly, we can help.

  • Yes - we specialise in fast-turnaround prototyping using in-house 3D printing and CNC machining. Our team can deliver parts quickly to keep your product development on schedule.

  • Absolutely. We offer CAD design support to turn your concept into a manufacturable 3D model, ready for CNC machining or 3D printing. We work best from drawings or CAD files, but if you only have an early sketch, we can help refine it into something production ready.

  • We’re based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, and ship across the UK.

  • We work with aluminium, engineering plastics (like acetal, nylon, PEEK), stainless steel, and brass. For 3D printing, we use durable materials such as PLA, PETG, and ABS.

  • Yes - we provide in-house assembly services including fasteners, wiring, LED integration, and more. This is ideal for lighting products, enclosures, and small mechanical builds.

  • We offer laser etching for part numbers, branding, or compliance markings directly onto your prototypes. Perfect for traceability or presentation.

  • Yes - we can create custom laser-cut packaging inserts for safe delivery or presentation. This is useful for shipping to customers or presenting samples at events.

Send us your CAD file or drawing to get started.

READY TO TEST YOUR DESIGN?