Rapid Prototyping Services UK
Precision Prototypes from a 60-Year British Manufacturer
Model Products manufactures rapid prototypes for engineering teams who cannot afford to be wrong. Working from our Bedfordshire facility, we combine SLA and SLS 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting and vacuum casting with six decades of precision model-making craft — so the prototype you receive is dimensionally accurate, properly finished and ready to test.
We work with defence primes, aerospace engineers, architects and R&D teams across the UK and internationally. Whether you need a single appearance model for a board presentation or a batch of functional prototypes for design validation, send us your CAD file and we will come back with a quote and a lead time.
60+ Years of Precision Manufacturing
CAD to Prototype from 48 hrs*
*completion time depends on project
5 Processes In-House
UK Based Bedfordshire Facility
Our Rapid Prototyping Technologies
Rapid prototyping is not a single process. The right method depends on what you need the prototype to do – whether that is surviving a functional test, presenting a flawless surface finish, or replicating production materials for a small batch.
We run five processes in-house and select the appropriate one for each project rather than forcing every job through the same machine.
| Process | Best for | Build volume | Tolerance | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLA 3D printing | Fine detail, smooth surface finish, appearance and presentation models | 200 × 350 × 275 mm | Fine-detail resolution | Resin |
| FDM 3D printing | Functional parts, robust test pieces, larger components | 354 × 254 × 354 mm | ±0.1 mm | ABS, other materials on request |
| CNC machining | Tight tolerances, production-grade materials, precision components | Specified per project | ±0.05 mm | Specified per project |
All prototyping and finishing carried out in-house at our Bedfordshire facility. We accept STEP, IGES, STL and native CAD files.
If you are unsure which process suits your project, send us the CAD file and a short description of what you need to test. We will recommend the most cost-effective route and explain the trade-offs before you commit.
Materials We Prototype In
Material choice determines whether a prototype can be tested, handled, painted or put in front of a client. We print in resin on our SLA machines, where fine detail and
surface finish matter most, and in ABS on FDM, where the part needs to be robust enough to handle and test. Alternative FDM materials are available on request – tell us what the prototype has to withstand and we will specify accordingly.
Where prototypes are destined for exhibition, board presentation or photography, we finish them in-house. That includes specialist paint finishing, colour matching to RAL, BS or Pantone references, and applied graphics and decals. This is the part most prototyping bureaux cannot offer – a printed part arrives raw, whereas a Model Products
prototype arrives presentation-ready.
How Our Rapid Prototyping Process Works
Our rapid prototyping expertise spans diverse sectors, each with unique requirements:
SEND YOUR FILES
Upload your CAD data — we accept STEP, IGES, STL, SolidWorks, native formats. If you only have sketches or drawings, that is fine; we regularly work from concept sketches and can produce the CAD ourselves.
QUOTE & PROCESS RECOMMENDATIONS
Within 24-48 hours you receive a fixed quote, a recommended manufacturing process and a confirmed lead time. We will flag anything in the geometry likely to cause a problem before you commit.
MANUFACTURE
Your prototype is produced in-house at our Bedfordshire facility. You get a named point of contact and progress updates throughout – not a portal and a dispatch email.
FINISH, INSPECT & DELIVER
Every prototype is inspected against your drawing before it leaves. Specialist
finishing, colour matching and assembly are carried out in-house where required.
From Concept to Reality
Ready to accelerate your product development with expert rapid prototyping services?
Whether you have detailed technical drawings or just a rough concept, our team is here to turn your vision into reality
Industries We Serve
DEFENCE AND AEROSPACE
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
ARCHITECTURE
MARKETING AND SALES
TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Rapid Prototyping FAQ
How much does rapid prototyping cost in the UK?
Cost depends on the process, the size and complexity of the part, the material and the quantity required. A single small SLA appearance model is a very different proposition to a batch of CNC machined functional prototypes. Send us your CAD file and we will return a price — there is no charge for quoting.
How long does rapid prototyping take?
It depends entirely on the project. Straightforward parts can sometimes be turned around the same day, while larger or more complex prototype programmes take several weeks. We confirm a realistic lead time with every quote, and we will tell you honestly if your deadline is not achievable rather than accepting the job and missing it.
What is the difference between rapid prototyping and 3D printing?
3D printing is one technology within rapid prototyping. Rapid prototyping is the broader discipline of producing physical parts quickly to test a design, and it also covers CNC machining, fabrication and hand model-making. Choosing the right process for the application matters more than defaulting to 3D printing for everything — which is why we
run SLA and FDM printing alongside CNC machining in-house.
What tolerances can you achieve on prototypes?
Our CNC machining holds ±0.05 mm and our FDM 3D printing holds ±0.1 mm. SLA printing is used where fine surface detail and finish quality matter most. If your part has critical dimensions, tell us which they are when you send the file and we will confirm what is achievable before starting.
How large a prototype can you produce?
Our SLA machines have a build volume of 200 × 350 × 275 mm and our FDM machines 354 × 254 × 354 mm. Larger prototypes are produced as sectioned components and assembled and finished by hand in-house — sixty years of model-making means we are well practised at making an assembled prototype look like a single piece. CNC machined
component sizes are confirmed per project.
What materials do you prototype in?
We print in resin on SLA, where fine detail and surface finish matter most, and in ABS on FDM, where the part needs to be robust enough to handle and test. Alternative FDM materials are available on request. For CNC machined components, materials are specified per project — tell us what the part has to do and we will advise.
What file formats do you accept?
We accept STEP, IGES, STL and native CAD files. If you do not have CAD data, we can work from technical drawings, photographs or concept sketches and produce the CAD ourselves.
Can you produce functional prototypes as well as appearance models?
Yes. Appearance models prioritise surface finish and visual accuracy for presentations and exhibitions, and are typically SLA printed and hand finished. Functional prototypes need to be tested, so they are produced by the process best suited to the test — FDM in ABS, or CNC machined where tight tolerances and production-grade materials are required.
We regularly produce both, including wind tunnel test models for aerospace applications.
Do you work with defence and aerospace clients?
Yes. Defence and aerospace are two of our core sectors and we work with primes and tier-one suppliers on prototypes for design validation, wind tunnel testing and programme presentations. We are Cyber Essentials certified and a member of Make UK Defence. Most of
this work is carried out under confidentiality agreements.
Where are your prototypes made?
All of our prototyping, assembly and finishing is carried out in-house at our facility in Wootton, Bedfordshire. Nothing is sent offshore. That means you can speak to the people building your prototype, visit if you need to, and get honest answers about what is and is not achievable.