I have a laser file
Quote compatible flat parts. Mixed processes and assembly need a separate review.
OpenArchicercle · Product development · R&D
Prototype manufacturing in Valencia
Turn an idea, drawing or digital model into a physical prototype. At Archicercle we combine product design, 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC machining and workshop finishing to explore form, check fit and prepare the next version.
Project in the photograph: 3DCHAIRFrom idea to a physical part
What do you need to learn from your prototype?
Rapid prototyping is the manufacture of an initial physical version of a product to check a specific question before committing to production. The right process depends on what you need to learn: shape, assembly, appearance, material or behaviour in use. A prototype is not automatically a certified or production-ready product.
- A physical version, not just a render
- One process or a combination of several
- Design, manufacture, assembly and iteration
Choose your starting point
Your file, your idea or your time in the workshop
I have a 3D model
Upload STL, OBJ or 3MF. Choose material and settings in the 3D printing quoter.
OpenI am starting with an idea
Develop a first proposal with the product configurator. Human review is needed before manufacturing.
OpenI want workshop time
Book available machines by the hour in Plaça. Check the requirements of each machine.
OpenFor CNC, complete product development or multi-process assemblies: Request a tailored quote.
Manufacturing technologies
3D, laser, CNC and the work that joins them together
There is no single best technology for every prototype. Compare geometry, material, finish and the question you need to answer.
01
3D printing and 3D scanning
Add material layer by layer to produce volumes, housings, brackets and complex geometries. FDM and resin printing address different requirements; scanning can provide a starting point from an existing object.
Filaments and resins selected for the purpose of the part. Layer orientation, supports and finishing affect the result.
Explore this process02
Laser cutting
Cut flat parts for models, boxes, packaging, panels and assemblies. Combine several layers or folded and joined components to develop a three-dimensional object.
Acrylic, wood, board, paper and compatible materials. Metal cutting is a separate process; not every material belongs in the CO₂ laser quoter.
Explore this process03
CNC milling and turning
Remove material from a block or sheet to create pockets, holes, reliefs, moulds, tooling and rotational parts. Machining is useful when the prototype needs a particular stock material.
Wood, acrylic, technical plastics, aluminium and other compatible materials, subject to the geometry and machining review.
Explore this process04
Laser engraving and marking
Add identifiers, scales, reference marks or graphics to a prototype. CO₂, fibre, MOPA and UV serve different surfaces and applications.
MOPA colour marking on stainless steel and titanium is a surface treatment, not a method for cutting metal parts.
Explore this process05
Workshop assembly and finishing
Join, sand, polish, paint and assemble parts made by different processes. Include assembly and finish in the brief rather than leaving them until the last step.
Woodworking, metalwork and finishes are quoted according to the actual pieces, materials and required result.
Explore this processPersonalisation techniques
Finishes and graphics that make a prototype look like the product
A prototype can carry the same decoration as the production piece, so you can evaluate the real appearance before committing. These are the personalisation techniques available in the workshop.
Laser engraving and marking
CO₂, fibre, MOPA and UV lasers for wood, acrylic, leather, coated metals and more. Colour MOPA marking on stainless steel and titanium.
Related serviceDirect UV digital printing
Full-colour printing directly onto rigid and flexible substrates, with fine detail and no transfer step.
Related serviceHot stamping
Premium personalisation with metal dies and coloured or metallic foils on leather, paper, board and wood.
Related serviceDTF and DTF UV
Vibrant full-colour transfers for textiles and objects, including single units and fine detail.
Related serviceHeat transfer and dye-sublimation
Heat-pressed graphics on textiles, mugs and polyester or coated surfaces.
Related serviceScreen printing
Flat, high-coverage inks for runs on textiles, paper and rigid substrates.
Related serviceCut and printed vinyl
Cut or printed vinyl for covering and decorating products, panels, furniture and displays.
Related serviceCovering with papers and fabrics
Printed or plain papers and fabrics applied to boxes, covers, bindings and special editions.
Related serviceStages of development
From the first volume to the pilot batch
Concept and volume
Study proportions, scale, handling and the space a product occupies. Simple models help compare alternatives before adding mechanisms or finishes.
Useful when: you are still choosing the shape.
Fit and assembly
Check clearances, fixing points, access to components and how parts connect. Supply the dimensions that matter, mating parts and the intended assembly sequence.
Useful when: the parts must fit together.
Functional development
Build parts for your planned tests with a suitable material and manufacturing process. Define loads, temperature, environment and acceptance criteria; testing and certification must be scoped separately.
Useful when: you need to test a working principle.
Appearance and presentation
Explore colour, texture and finish for product presentations, photography or user feedback. A visual model may use different materials from the final product.
Useful when: appearance is the question.
Pilot batches and short runs
Once a version is approved, review repeatability, assembly time, unit cost and packaging. The best process for one prototype may differ from the best process for a batch.
Useful when: you are preparing the next production step.
Real projects
Ideas that have already become physical objects
Examples of prototypes, components and models from our portfolio. Open each project to see its context and full gallery.
3DCHAIR · Chair prototype
A 3D-printed furniture prototype: from digital volume to a physical object.
View projectFDM 3D-printed prototypes
Additive manufacturing applied to prototype parts and product development.
View projectComponents for an invention
Physical components that bring an idea to life through 3D printing.
View projectAIR 3D · Ventilation ducts
Duct geometries produced using additive manufacturing.
View projectLamp with screw-off front
An object with connecting parts: form, access and assembly in one design.
View projectParts for a Porcelanosa model
Printed model components: detail and representation at scale.
View projectMaterials and preparation
Choose material for the test, not just for its appearance
A display model, a flexible component and a machined jig need different properties. Tell us about temperature, loads, exposure and contact with other parts. We review the specific combination; not every material can be processed by every machine.
A clear brief
What to send us to quote your prototype
- Purpose of the prototype and the question to test
- Dimensions, units, critical fits and mating parts
- Files, sketches, photos or the existing physical part
- Material, colour and finish; whether alternatives are acceptable
- Quantity and whether you expect further versions
- Target date, collection or delivery requirements
- Loads, temperature, environment and any required compliance
- Confidentiality requirements before sharing sensitive files
Prototype cost is more than machine time
Design, file preparation, material, machine set-up, manufacture, assembly and finish may all contribute. Quote compatible parts online and ask us to review the complete project before treating their sum as the final cost.
Send my project enquiryWorking together
A prototype is a step, not the end of the process
- 01
Define the question
Tell us what the prototype must demonstrate, who will use it and what you already have: sketch, file, dimensions or reference object.
- 02
Choose a manufacturing route
We review geometry, material, assembly and finish. A mixed route may combine printed components, laser-cut panels and machined parts.
- 03
Make and compare
Produce a version and compare it against your criteria. Record what changes between versions instead of changing several unknowns at once.
- 04
Prepare the next step
Adjust the design for another prototype, a pilot batch or production. Confirm the specification, quantities and delivery arrangements before proceeding.
Applications
Prototypes for product design, engineering and creative work
Whether you are an inventor, a start-up, a company developing a component or a design team preparing a presentation, start from the purpose of the piece. Explore related sectors and product families.
Before manufacturing
Four mistakes worth avoiding
Specifying a process too early
Start from the question the prototype must answer. A quick volume model may be more useful than an expensive finished piece.
Confusing a model with a final product
Visual similarity does not establish strength, durability or compliance. State the intended use and tests.
Leaving assembly out of the quote
Allow for fixings, access, glue, alignment, finishing and the time needed to put the parts together.
Copying the prototype straight into production
Review the design for repeatability, unit cost and the chosen production process before making a batch.
We answer your doubts
Prototype manufacturing: questions and answers
What does rapid prototyping include?
It can include product design, physical parts, assembly and finishing. The scope depends on the question you need to answer. We agree what is included before manufacturing.
Can you manufacture a single prototype?
Yes. We work with one-off pieces, successive versions and short runs. Quantity and complexity determine the most suitable process and quote.
Do I need technical drawings?
No. You can start from a sketch, photograph, description or existing object. Drawing or modelling work is scoped separately from manufacturing. The product configurator can help develop a first proposal, which still needs human review.
Which files should I send?
For the 3D printing quoter: STL, OBJ or 3MF. For laser cutting, follow the file preparation guide. For CNC, send STEP, IGES or an exportable 3D model, together with dimensions and critical fits.
How much does a prototype cost?
There is no universal prototype price. Geometry, material, quantity, preparation, machine time, assembly and finish all matter. Use the laser and 3D quoters for compatible parts; mixed processes, CNC and complete developments need a tailored quote.
How long does manufacturing take?
We confirm the schedule after reviewing the files, material, finish and workshop availability. A single part and a multi-part development with several iterations need different schedules. Tell us your target date at the start.
Can you combine 3D printing, laser cutting and CNC?
Yes. Different components can use different processes and then be assembled. The compatibility of materials, clearances, fixings and finish must be reviewed for the actual design.
Do you sign confidentiality agreements?
Yes. If the project is confidential, ask about an NDA before sending sensitive information. The agreement and its scope must be settled before sharing protected material.
Does a functional prototype mean the product is certified?
No. A functional prototype allows defined checks, but it does not by itself establish regulatory compliance, safety or production readiness. Specify required tests and certifications before the project is quoted.
Can I rent workshop machines by the hour?
Yes, through workshop rental, subject to machine availability and the applicable conditions. Bookings at Plaça Pere Maria Orts i Bosch 18 are Monday to Friday, 09:00–19:00. The Calle Utiel site is temporarily out of service; reopening soon.
Can you move from a prototype to a short production run?
Yes. We review the approved design for the intended batch, including process, material, assembly and packaging. The production route may change to improve repeatability or cost.
Can a prototype be personalised or finished like the final product?
Yes. We can apply laser engraving and marking, direct UV printing, hot stamping, DTF and DTF UV, heat transfer and sublimation, screen printing, cut or printed vinyl, and covering with printed or plain papers and fabrics. The right technique depends on the material and the finish you want to evaluate.
Where can I discuss the project or collect parts?
Our studio and factory are at Plaça Pere Maria Orts i Bosch 18, ground floor, Valencia. Customer visits are Monday to Friday, 09:00–15:00, by appointment only. Ask about delivery if you cannot collect.
Can't find your answer? Write to us and we'll reply within one business day.
Next step
From the guide to your part
Upload your file for an instant price, start from an idea with the configurator, choose your material or tell us about your project.
Would you rather we looked at it together?
Tell us what you want to make. We advise you on material, process and finish, and send you a tailored quote.