FirstCut  CNC MACHINING — REALLY FAST!

CNC machined parts in 1 BUSINESS DAY
At First Cut, our mission is to provide real CNC machined parts — FAST. Our subtractive rapid prototyping process combines traditional rapid prototyping with CNC machining to deliver the following advantages:

  • Speed — Get CNC machined parts at least as fast as you can get additive rapid prototypes.
  • Convenience — First Cut brings the online quoting and ordering you expect from rapid prototyping to the CNC machining world.
  • Real material properties — Your parts are machined from real blocks of plastic and aluminum — not the "material like" materials used in additive rapid prototyping processes. Click here to see how CNC machined parts compare to FDM parts.
  • Improved surface finishes — CNC machining eliminates the stair stepping inherent in the additive processes.

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Typical Applications
  • Functional prototyping before committing to injection molding tooling or high volume machining.
  • Custom "one off" projects like jigs and fixtures where only one or maybe a few parts are required.

Get a running start on the fastest prototype machined parts around by submitting your 3D CAD model to our FirstQuote automated quoting system. You'll get pricing, options, and, if appropriate, suggested changes for improved machinability.

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Rapid Injection Molding

Need more than 10 parts? Protomold ships injection molded plastic parts in as little as one business day after receipt of your 3D CAD model.

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Customer Portal
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Customer Testimonials
October 26, 2009
"First Cut delivered ahead of schedule and as promised. The part was perfect. First Cut took my CAD file and morphed it into reality!"
—Michael D. Johnson, JCeminders, Inc.

Press Releases
Proto Labs Recognized For Advanced Technology
October 23, 2009
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Case Studies
Game Designer Hits the Jackpot with First Cut®
September 4, 2009
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Journal Magazine
2009 Issue 2 — The Security of Speed
October 19, 2009
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In the News
Game Designer hits Jackpot with First Cut
November 5, 2009
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Upcoming Tradeshows
Autodesk University 2009
Booth #120
Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas
Dec. 1-3, 2009