Industry

Get quotes for custom parts for your hardware startup

One machined prototype for the next build, or a low-volume run to hit an EVT or DVT gate. Upload your CAD files, drawings, or BOM and we'll source competitive quotes from qualified manufacturing partners that treat small quantities as real work.

Low-volume friendlyPrototype to productionBest price, best quality
Upload Files & Get Free Quotes

STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more

Uploads are secure & confidential

No CAD file?
Minimum order
1 part
Quick-turn parts
3 to 10 business days
Core materials
Aluminum, plastics
Scope
Prototype to production

How OpenSpindle works

We tap our partner network. You get the best-match quote.

Upload your part and we tap our network of partner shops to get you a competitive, all-in quote that is the best match for the job.

One upload

A CAD file or a sketch. That is the whole ask on your end.

Your best-match quote

Sourced from the partner shops set up for your exact part.

All-in, on your timeline

Machining, finishing, and shipping detailed to your turnaround.

Reference

Material selection for prototype parts

A starting point for early hardware prototypes, balancing cost, speed, and function. Confirm loads and environment with the shop.
MaterialBest forNote
Aluminum 6061General machined prototypesCheap, light, and easy to cut: the default
Delrin (acetal)Low-friction mechanismsBushings, gears, and internal moving parts
NylonFunctional and wear partsTough and wear-resistant
PolycarbonateClear covers and lensesImpact-resistant and optically clear
Stainless 303 / 304Strength and corrosionFasteners, brackets, harsh environments
3D-print resin or nylonFit and form checksFastest and cheapest before metal

Applications

Typical startup hardware parts

Enclosures & housings
Brackets & mounts
Chassis & frames
Sensor & camera housings
Drone & motor mounts
Jigs & fixtures
Faceplates & panels
Heat sinks

Why OpenSpindle

Built for startup hardware buyers

Your outsourced sourcing partner

Finding a shop that will quote a small run takes founders hundreds of hours of cold emails and dead ends. Upload your design once and surface independent shops already set up for your part, so you spend your time building instead of hunting for a supplier.

Every dollar counts, we get it

We are a startup too, so we know every dollar of runway matters. We put your part in front of the right independent shops and get you competitive quotes, so you land the best price without burning days chasing it down.

Built for low volume

Instant-quote portals and large suppliers are tuned for volume. Find shops that will happily quote one to fifty parts, explain the price breaks, and treat your prototype run as real work rather than an inconvenience.

One design, many quotes, one path to scale

Compare quotes and lead times from several shops instead of taking a single price, then keep the same shop as you move from EVT and DVT builds into production without re-sourcing your part.

Trust

Certifications and standards that matter

Most early hardware and prototype work is not certification-gated. What matters more is finding a shop comfortable with low volume, quick-turn iterations, and real design-for-manufacturing feedback before you commit. These are the signals worth weighing.

Low-volume & quick-turn comfort

Not a certification, but the real differentiator for a startup. Look for shops that will quote a single prototype or a run of ten without pushing a large minimum, and that turn revisions fast while you iterate.

DFM feedback

A shop that reviews your design and flags a wall that is too thin, a tolerance that is expensive, or a feature that is hard to machine saves you a respin and real money. Startup-friendly shops give this feedback early rather than quoting blind.

ISO 9001

The general quality management baseline. You rarely need it for a first prototype, but confirming it signals a documented, repeatable process for when you scale from a pilot run into production.

ITAR & traceability

Relevant if you are a defense-tech, aerospace, or space startup. ITAR registration and material traceability matter for regulated hardware, so confirm them up front if your program requires them.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Independent shops routinely quote single prototypes and low-volume runs, which is the normal cadence for hardware startups. Note the quantity you actually need and your target date in the request, and expect a setup charge on one-offs that drops on repeat orders.

Sourcing guides

Deciding where to make your parts

Last reviewed August 2026

Get quotes for your build

Upload your design once and we get you the best-quality quote at the best price, from qualified manufacturing partners that quote low volume and scale with you.

Upload Files & Get Free Quotes

STEP · STL · IGES · DWG · DXF · PDF · and more

Uploads are secure & confidential

No CAD file?