KRC ManufacturingCustom parts
New Knoxville, Ohio
Industries / KRC Manufacturing

Prototyping

Build a useful experiment: verify shape, assembly, function, or manufacturing feasibility with a clearly defined prototype.

PRACTICAL DESIGN GUIDANCE · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
FDM / LAYERED GEOMETRYKRC / FIELD NOTES
Prototyping — technical illustration
Technical illustration · not to scale
ExamplesFit checks, Functional samples, Assembly trials
Design focusFunctional interfaces and environment
FilesSTEP for CNC; DXF for laser
ReleaseMatching model and drawing revision
The useful starting point

The right prototype is the one that answers the next decision—not necessarily the one that looks most finished.

01 /

Part and process opportunities

A physical model can reveal clearance problems, awkward assembly steps, or proportions that are hard to judge on screen. A machined prototype can also test actual material and fitted surfaces. Use the simplest process that preserves the features relevant to the test.

02 /

Design the interface

Identify critical interfaces and the measurements that define success. A fit check needs representative mating geometry; a strength test needs representative material and loading. Printed layer direction can make a prototype behave differently from a solid-stock production part.

03 /

Plan for the real use

Label the revision, document results, and update the model and drawing together. Validate changes before multiplying them into a batch. KRC’s online workflows support eligible small quantities, while the custom RFQ route defines projects outside those controls.

04 /

Prepare a clear manufacturing package

Use a model that represents the intended part, a matching drawing for functional requirements, and a defined material and quantity. Choose the online process for supported configurations. Larger batches, unlisted materials, and special requirements follow custom RFQ. Industry examples describe possible uses; they are not evidence of certification or a past customer relationship.

Put the design to work.

Choose the process, verify your files, and take the next step toward a custom part.