From concept to production-validated component — New Product Development (NPD), rapid prototyping, and industrialisation support that gets your ideas manufactured right the first time.
Product development at GM Industries is not just about building a prototype — it's about building a prototype that can become a production part. Every development decision considers the eventual manufacturing process, cost target, and quality requirement.
With seven manufacturing capabilities under one roof — CNC machining, fabrication, molding, printing, casting, forging, and stamping — we can prototype in the same process as production, eliminating the costly discovery of issues at scale.
Discuss Your Project ›Most prototyping services use 3D printing or soft tooling regardless of the final manufacturing process. This means your prototype behaves differently to your production part — tolerances, material properties, and surface finish are all different. At GM Industries, we prototype using the same process you'll use for production: CNC turned prototypes for CNC turned production parts, cast prototypes for cast production parts. You validate the right thing from day one.
A structured gate-based development process that moves your product from concept to validated production efficiently.
We review your concept, requirements, and constraints. Material selection, process routing, tolerance allocation, and cost estimation are completed. A feasibility report is issued within 48 hours of enquiry.
3D modelling, 2D drawing generation, and Design for Manufacturability review. Any features identified as high-risk or high-cost are flagged with alternative proposals — before a single chip is cut.
First physical parts manufactured using the target production process — not 3D printed facsimiles. Typically 3–7 working days for machined components. Sample parts issued with dimensional reports.
You fit and test the prototype in your assembly. We receive your feedback and implement design changes quickly — multiple iteration cycles supported within the project. Drawing revisions controlled and documented.
Pre-production batch of 10–50 parts with full process controls, inspection gauging, and control plan in place. First Article Inspection (FAI) report issued and approved before volume commitment.
Locked drawings, approved process, retained fixtures and CNC programs. Repeat production runs delivered to schedule with consistent quality. Your product is in full industrialised production.
Matched-process prototyping across all seven manufacturing capabilities — your prototype behaves like your production part.
Turned and milled prototypes from solid bar or billet stock. Tolerances and surface finishes match production — ideal for hydraulic, aerospace, and precision instrument components.
Sheet metal cut, bent, and welded prototypes for enclosures, brackets, and structural components. Powder coating and surface treatment available for functional appearance samples.
FDM, SLA, and SLS printed models for early concept validation, fit checks, and customer presentations — where process fidelity is less critical than speed and geometry verification.
Investment or sand cast prototypes for components destined for volume casting production — correct grain structure, porosity characteristics, and post-machining behaviour from the very first sample.
Soft-tooled or bridge-tooled injection moulded samples for plastic and MIM components — production-representative material, shrinkage, and dimensional behaviour before hard tooling investment.
Complete sub-assembly prototypes combining machined, fabricated, and moulded components. We source and coordinate every element — you receive a complete, testable assembly.
Indicative timelines for each development stage — actual timelines confirmed at project kick-off.
| Stage | Deliverable | Typical Duration | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feasibility | Feasibility Report + Quotation | 24 – 48 hours | Process route, cost estimate, risk flags |
| Design / DFM | 3D model + 2D drawing | 2 – 5 working days | STEP file, PDF drawing, DFM report |
| Prototype Build | Physical samples (1–5 pcs) | 3 – 10 working days | Parts + dimensional inspection report |
| Iteration Cycle | Revised samples per change | 3 – 7 working days | Updated parts + revised drawing |
| Pilot Production | Pre-production batch | 7 – 14 working days | Parts + FAI report + control plan |
| Production Release | Locked drawings & process | On schedule agreement | Volume supply per purchase order |
You don't need a complete drawing package to start a development project. Share whatever you have — we'll work with it.
If you have none of the above — start with a conversation. Our engineers will ask the right questions.
Our development team has experience across a wide range of sectors and component types:
Share your concept, drawing, or sample — we'll review it and respond within 24 hours with a development proposal.