Prototype machining built to move into production.

Prototypes are programmed, fixtured, and inspected the same way production parts are — so the path from a first article to a qualified production program is short, predictable, and well-documented.

All in-house materialsCommon engineering metals and plastics
Prototype Machining — precision machined work at Northline
Prototype Machining — precision machined work at Northline
Typical tolerance
±0.0005”
Working envelope
All in-house capabilities available — confirm at RFQ
Machine platforms
3, 4, and 5-axis machining centers · CNC turning centers (including Swiss)
Production
Prototype → production

Overview

What this process is for.

  • One-off, low-quantity, and pre-production runs.

  • DFM feedback on every quote to flag cost and risk drivers.

  • Inspection documentation included on request from the first article.

Process at a glance

Working envelope
All in-house capabilities available — confirm at RFQ
Tolerances
Project-specific · confirmed at RFQ
Inspection
CMM · Faro arm · optical
Quality system
ISO 9001:2015 · ITAR

Equipment

Machines used for this work.

  • 3, 4, and 5-axis machining centers
  • CNC turning centers (including Swiss)
  • Wire EDM and grinding for secondary operations

Materials

Materials supported on this process.

  • All in-house materials
  • Common engineering metals and plastics

Applications

Typical part types and uses.

  • Engineering iteration parts
  • First articles for new programs
  • Functional prototypes and test fixtures
  • Pre-production qualification runs

Tolerances & quality

How we hold and verify the part.

CMM inspection of a precision-machined component
Zeiss Contura CMM · Metrology bayISO 9001:2015

Tolerance approach

Project tolerances confirmed at quote review.

View tolerance standards

Quality & documentation

  • First Article Inspection available
  • Material certifications on request
  • DFM feedback included

FAQ

Engineering FAQs

The questions engineering and procurement teams ask most often before a first quote.

Do prototypes use the same setups as production?

Where the design is stable, yes — that's the goal. Reusing fixtures, programs, and inspection routines reduces qualification risk later.

Do you charge for DFM review?

DFM review is included with quoting. Detailed redesign work is separate — discuss scope at the RFQ stage.

Can you support iterative design changes?

Yes. We work with engineering teams across multiple revisions and document changes for traceability.

Quote Prototype Machining

Have a part ready for prototype machining?

Upload your CAD files or drawings — our engineering team reviews and responds within one business day.