Industrial Prototyping Services

Design support, functional testing, and fast-turn development for custom plastic parts

Accelerate Product Development With Manufacturing-Ready Prototypes

Elrex Manufacturers provides industrial prototyping services that help engineers, product developers, and manufacturers turn early-stage concepts into functional, testable parts.

Whether you need a single proof of concept, a prototype for fit and performance testing, or a short run of pre-production parts, our in-house team provides practical design support and access to multiple manufacturing technologies.

Drawing on decades of manufacturing experience, we produce precision prototypes made of plastic or foams that help clients identify design issues, evaluate performance, and prepare components for efficient production.

What Our Prototyping Services Include

Our prototyping services are tailored to your design requirements, intended application, development timeline, and production goals. Our capabilities include:

  • Concept development and part design support
  • 2D and 3D prototype development
  • 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting, die-cutting
  • Material selection guidance based on performance requirements
  • Material sourcing, including specialty plastics and films
  • Functional prototype testing and fit-check iterations
  • Design-for-manufacturability analysis
  • Prototype refinement
  • Prototype-to-production transition planning
  • Single custom parts or full-scale production

Each project is developed around the part’s intended function, material requirements, level of complexity, and future manufacturing process.

What Our Prototyping Services Include

Why Choose Elrex Manufacturers for Industrial Prototyping?

Design and Engineering Support

In-House Design and Engineering Support

If you do not yet have a final design, our team can help you build one. We assist with 2D and 3D design development, manufacturability analysis, and design refinement to reduce risk and improve outcomes.

Turnaround Times

Fast Turnaround Times

We understand that early development phases move quickly. Our in-house capabilities and access to locally sourced materials help reduce lead times and support faster design, testing, and refinement cycles.

Manufacturing Methods

Multiple Manufacturing Methods

We are not limited to one approach. Your prototype can be created using the most suitable method based on material, complexity, and end-use requirements. This includes additive and subtractive options like CNC machining, 3D printing, laser cutting, and die cutting.

Production

Seamless Path to Production

Because Elrex also provides full-scale manufacturing services, your prototype can be designed with future production requirements in mind. This minimizes redesigns, tooling changes, and delays when it is time to scale up.

Industrial Prototyping Services for plastic components, Ottawa, Ontario

Applications for Industrial Prototyping

Our industrial prototyping services support a range of product development, engineering, and manufacturing requirements, including:

  • Early-stage concept models
  • Proof-of-concept plastic prototypes
  • Proof-of-function parts
  • Fit and assembly testing
  • Engineering validation
  • Jigs and fixtures for pilot runs
  • Market samples and pre-production reviews

Whether you are refining a component or validating an entirely new product, we work closely with your team to deliver custom prototypes that move your project forward.

Focused on Function and Precision

As an ISO 9001-certified and Ontario Made manufacturer with an Ottawa-based production facility, Elrex provides industrial prototyping services with a focus on dimensional accuracy, practical performance, and repeatable manufacturing.

Our experience in both prototyping and full-scale production of plastic parts allows us to consider how a part will be manufactured, tested, assembled, and scaled from the beginning of the project.

Frequently Asked Questions About Industrial Prototyping Services

Rapid prototyping uses digital design files to produce physical parts through processes such as 3D printing, plastic CNC machining and laser cutting. These methods can reduce setup requirements and lead times compared with traditional prototype manufacturing, which may require dedicated tooling, fixtures, or more extensive production preparation.

At Elrex Manufacturers, the prototyping method is selected based on the part’s material, tolerances, geometry, intended function, and development timeline. This gives clients an efficient path to a functional, testable part while meeting project-specific accuracy and performance requirements.

3D printing converts a CAD file into a physical plastic part by building it layer by layer through an additive manufacturing process. It is particularly useful for complex geometries, early-stage concept models, design evaluation, and fit-check iterations.

The process may include plastic material selection, print orientation, dimensional review, and post-processing based on the prototype’s intended use. For clients who do not yet have a finalized design file, our team can also assist with early design development and refinement before fabrication.

Yes. We can support the plastic prototyping process from early design development and part creation through fabrication, testing, refinement, and production planning.

Because our engineering and manufacturing capabilities are integrated, prototypes can be developed with future production requirements in mind. This helps identify potential issues involving materials, tolerances, tooling, assembly, and manufacturability before a plastic part moves into larger-scale production. This approach is especially valuable for clients developing components intended for repeat or volume manufacturing.

Prototype testing and design refinement can be incorporated into the development process based on the project’s requirements. Once a part has been manufactured, we can support fit checks, functional assessments, dimensional reviews, and design revisions before the project moves toward production.

Each revision is evaluated against the approved design specifications and intended application. This process helps identify potential issues early, reduce avoidable production changes, and improve the manufacturability of the final part.

The number of revision cycles required depends on the complexity of the design, testing results, material requirements, and intended use of the prototype.

To begin a prototyping project, Elrex typically needs as much information as possible about the part’s design, intended use, performance requirements, and development goals. This may include CAD files, technical drawings, sketches, dimensions, tolerances, preferred materials, required quantities, and the desired project timeline.

It is also helpful to provide details about how the prototype will be tested, assembled, or used in its final application. If the part is expected to move into production, anticipated production volumes and manufacturing requirements should also be discussed early in the process.

Clients who do not yet have finalized drawings or CAD files can still contact us. Our team can assist with early design development, manufacturability review, and prototype planning before fabrication begins.

Bring Your Industrial Prototype to Life

Request a quote to discuss your design, materials, quantities, testing requirements, and project timeline. From initial design support through prototype manufacturing and refinement, Elrex Manufacturers helps prepare custom parts for testing and future production.