Turn Ideas into Machined Realities with KCSP Machine’s Prototyping Services

When you’re developing a new product, there’s a big leap between an idea and a part that’s ready for production. That’s where our prototyping services come in. 

At KCSP Machine, we’ve built a reputation for helping customers navigate the product development process with confidence. Whether your concept starts as a fully-fleshed-out CAD model or a rough sketch, our expert team can turn your vision into high-quality precision machined parts. 

From a Napkin Sketch to a Critical Medical Component 

As a trusted Kansas City machine shop, we’ve seen it all: hand-drawn sketches, legacy parts that need to be reverse engineered, brand-new designs that have never been made before… the works! One of our most memorable prototyping projects was for a surgical fluid cart. The customer came to us for a new spray head, sketched out by hand on a napkin, and asked, “Can you make this?” It was a shot in the dark, but after investigating the drawing, we determined that yes, it was feasible. 

We produced multiple iterations of the parts, leveraging our CNC turning services, changing fin angles and orientations to optimize the spray pattern. We even tested the heads right here in our shop using hoses and hundreds of gallons of water. Through countless adjustments, we fine-tuned everything from the hole geometry to the washer materials to ensure the final design performed properly in real-world hospital conditions. 

That’s what KCSP’s collaborative prototyping services are all about: experimenting, testing, and refining until we achieve the right form, fit, and function. 

Testing, Tinkering, and Perfecting: Prototyping in a Nutshell

Another example of our prototyping work came from a transportation customer, one of the last companies in the country still producing physical bus payment boxes. They came to us with an issue: an LED light in their product was shining right into the driver’s eyes. Our team used hands-on problem-solving coupled with our solutions-oriented precision machining services to adjust the angle of the light. This simple but effective redesign made their product safer and more functional. 

There’s no one industry we specialize in for prototyping. For instance, we recently had great success supporting a customer in the animal health industry, helping them refine parts like push rods by testing different materials to reduce flexing and improve strength. 

Whether we’re changing out materials, modifying geometries, rethinking assembly processes, or adjusting machining processes, our team thoughtfully approaches product development so we can ensure reliable parts for critical real-world applications. 

A Partner Beyond Prototyping 

At KCSP Machine, we deliver more than prototypes; we build partnerships through production. We know that the best outcomes happen when we collaborate with our customers early in the design process. Our team can provide valuable design for manufacturability (DFM) feedback to help you improve your part’s machinability and reduce costs.

And when you’re ready to scale up to production, we make that transition seamless. Once your prototype is finalized, our team ramps up production with the same attention to precision, consistency, and quality that defined the prototype phase. 

What to Expect from KCSP’s Prototyping Services 

Transparency and collaboration are central to our approach. Here’s what we tell every new customer:

• Be aware of how prototype pricing works. Making five prototypes costs more per part than producing 5,000. The setup and programming time are the same, but those costs aren’t spread across a large volume. This is something we want our customers to understand before they experience sticker shock from a low-volume prototype request. 

• Provide as much detail as possible. 3D models and prints are essential for accuracy. The more information you share, the more efficiently we can machine your prototype. Don’t have the ability to produce 3D models or engineering prints? We can help or find a partner to help you. 

• Be open to feedback. We know machining inside and out, and our recommendations can often improve part performance or reduce future costs. 

With our advanced equipment and expert processes, the KCSP Machine team can handle even the most complex geometries and tight tolerances. Our goal is to help you create prototypes that are both functional and manufacturable at scale. 

Are you seeking out a precision machine shop that specializes in collaborative prototyping? Reach out to KCSP Machine to connect about your next project!