FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions you may concern about rapid prototyping and manufacturing, quality and related questions.

About rapid injection molding, its cost, mold life, turnaround, and storage?

Our rapid mold costs are very competitive, typically 30%-70% of standard steel molds/automatic molds. Depending on the choice of mold material (aluminum or mild steel) and part construction, the life of a rapid mold is typically several thousand cycles, making it ideal for small batches or bridge production. Rapid injection molding can take 2-5 weeks to complete. More complex parts or other special features will take longer. We will keep the injection mold for you for 2 years for reuse, and this period can be extended at your request if available

What role do water jet cutting services play in aluminium manufacturing?

Water jetting services are important in aluminium manufacturing because it provides a precise and versatile cutting solution. The metal working shops uses a high-pressure stream of water (sometimes combined with abrasives) to cut a variety of materials, including aluminum. Because water jet cutting does not generate heat, it is particularly suitable for cutting metals such as aluminum because it does not change the material's structure or cause thermal damage, thereby maintaining the integrity and properties of the aluminum material.

What are Prototype Molding Services?

Prototype Molding Services refers to a range of services from prototype to manufacturing provided by professional rapid manufacturing companies to help customers quickly transition from the concept stage to actual prototype plastic parts. These services include design evaluation, selection of appropriate materials, manufacturing of prototype molds, and ultimately producing prototype parts for testing and verification.

Can polyurethane parts be used as a final product for an end user?

Yes, polyurethane parts can be provided as a final product to an end user. While this process is often used for prototyping, customers also often use it as a bridge process to get a product to market while production processing is ongoing. For very specialized products, such as medical devices, this process is used for production because the very low upfront cost is attractive for short runs. The production quality appearance and the polyurethane developed for functionality make this process very suitable for end use.

What types of post-processing does Brightstar offer?

Brightstar's in-house prototype finishing provides optimal post-finishing, including assembly and form fit, fastening and metal insertion, sanding and polishing, sandblasting and brushing, painting and printing. We also offer a variety of special surface treatments by working with quality surface treatment suppliers, including laser etching, anodizing, electroplating, chrome plating, chemical finishing, powder coating, and more. To provide customers with rapid simulation prototypes that are identical to the final product, we support one-stop surface finishing operations.

Does Brightstar have a 5-axis machine to produce high-precision parts?

We are equipped with advanced DMG 5-axis machining machines from Germany. As the world's leading machine tool manufacturer, DMG MORI's five-axis gantry machining center is famous for its high precision and high stability. The DMG 5-axis CNC milling machine allows us to flexibly handle Your custom parts, whether simple or highly complex.

Can Brightstar create a design for me?

We do not provide design services, you are responsible for submitting 2D and 3D CAD drawings and we can then provide design for manufacturing (DFM) review and analysis upon receipt of your drawings.

What tolerances can be achieved with Brightstar's CNC machining?

No given set of tolerances is suitable for all processes and materials. In any case, the final tolerance of your part will depend on many factors, including but not limited to: part size, design geometry, material, surface finish.
Hostar's general tolerances apply to ISO 2768 (medium) for machining plastics and ISO 2768 (fine) for machining metals. Typically, we can maintain CNC machining tolerances between ±0.005 inches (±0.125 mm) and ±0.002 inches (±0.01 mm), and with fine machining, the tightest tolerance can also reach +/-0.005mm

When will I receive my part?

Each manufacturing process is different, depending on part size, quantity required, and finishing requirements. Quality prototype parts can be made in 3-9 days. Rapid injection molding may take 2-5 weeks to complete. More complex parts or other special features take longer. As for shipping, most shipments under 200KG are shipped by air, which may take several days from China to Europe or North America, depending on customer requirements. Shipments over 200KG can be shipped by air or sea, or wherever land transportation is available.

How much import tax do I need to pay for my goods?

There is no single answer to this question, but there are some rules that apply. For US customers, prototypes used only for development, testing, product evaluation or quality control purposes are allowed to be imported into the United States duty-free at the Most Favored Nation rate (US HTS number: 9817.85.01). Import duties vary greatly from country to country and depend on the type of goods being imported. Most countries in the world adhere to the international Harmonized System (HS) codes, which classify nearly all commercially traded goods.

If you are looking for prototyping and manufacturing services near you?

To find best rapid prototyping companies near you, you can search online for "Fabrication Companies Near Me," "CNC Machining Companies Near Me," "Prototype Companies Near Me," "Prototyping Services Near Me,"machining company near me", "prototyping companies near me","companies that create prototypes","prototyping machine shop","fabrication shop near me","CNC machining near me" ,"prototype manufacturing near me"or look in specialty directories. Many fabrication and prototyping companies now also offer online services, making geographic distance no longer a barrier. Brightstar, a rapid prototype China manufacturer, we offer competitive prices and quick turnaround delivery, with custom CNC parts in just 3 days and 3D printing parts in 1 day, and delivered to you within 3-4 days by international express.

What does Brightstar's shipping terms include?

For rapid prototyping and regular production orders, our standard terms are Ex Works (EXW). This means that once the goods leave our premises, the customer will be responsible for shipping, customs clearance and all other related costs. We also offer Delivered at Work (DAP) terms for international express delivery DHL, FEDEX, UPS Express, and the customer is responsible for import duties and fees associated with international shipping. Customers can also choose to use their own shipping account if applicable.

How to Get Started

Ready to start your precision CNC machining project? Contact us today to discuss your requirements and receive a free quote. Our team of experts is here to guide you through the entire process, from design to delivery.
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