First Cut, a service from Proto Labs, can now offer CNC-machined prototype parts in aluminium, as well as a large range of engineering grade plastics. The parts are made directly from production intent material as quickly and easily as they can be produced using additive rapid prototype (RP) processes. CNC machined parts are far superior to RP produced parts due to their greater strength, better surface finish and more accurate dimensions. First Cut allows customers to make functional prototypes much earlier in the development cycle using production intent materials such as ABS, Nylon, PEEK, and now aluminium.
First Cut recently added 4th-axis machining to its on-line RP service, allowing the production of more complicated prototypes.