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How Ordering Works at Top Proto

Ordering custom parts from Top Proto is designed to be fast, transparent, and straightforward. From uploading your CAD file to receiving your parts, the entire process is managed through a single point of contact with full visibility at every stage. Our four-step workflow covers every custom manufacturing program from single prototypes through to high-volume production orders.

Design Suggestions:

Our Design for Manufacturability (DFM) tool analyzes your design for manufacturing, with tips on how to reduce costs and lead times.

A smooth production process

Upload Your Files and Get an Instant Quote

Upload your CAD file in STEP, DXF, STL, or any supported format through our quoting system. Attach your technical drawing with tolerances, material specification, surface finish requirements, and any special notes. Our DFM engine analyzes your geometry and returns instant pricing and lead time for standard geometries, along with design for manufacturability feedback highlighting any features that may affect dimensional achievability, tool access, or production cost. For complex parts, our engineering team reviews your file and returns a confirmed quote within 24 hours.

Review Quote, DFM Feedback, and Confirm Your Order

Review your quote, lead time, and DFM feedback. If our DFM review has identified any recommendations — material substitutions that reduce cost, geometry adjustments that improve dimensional achievability, or tolerance changes that are unnecessary for your application — our engineering team communicates these directly with specific explanations. You can accept the recommendations, modify your design, or proceed with your original specification. Once you are satisfied with the quote and specification, confirm your order through our system. Production begins the same day or the next business day after order confirmation.

Production with Real-Time Updates and Quality Control

After order confirmation, your parts enter our production workflow. Your order is assigned to the appropriate machining centers, molding presses, or fabrication stations, and a production record is opened tracking every operation from material receipt through to final inspection. In-process inspection is performed at defined intervals during production. For complex or multi-step parts, our team provides progress updates at production milestones. Every part undergoes final dimensional inspection against your drawing before it is cleared for shipment.

Inspection, Documentation, and Delivery

Final parts are measured against your drawing specifications using calibrated inspection equipment including CMM measurement where dimensional verification requires it. An inspection report confirming all critical dimensions is generated for every order. Material certifications, Certificates of Conformance, and any additional quality documents required for your program are compiled and included with your shipment. Parts are packaged securely to prevent damage in transit and dispatched with your choice of express or standard shipping. Tracking information is provided when your order is dispatched.

Accepted File Formats

Top Proto accepts the following CAD and drawing file formats across all manufacturing processes. If your file format is not listed, contact our team and we will advise on conversion options:

File Type

Formats

Best For

3D CAD Files

STEP (.stp, .step), IGES (.igs, .iges), SolidWorks (.sldprt), CATIA (.catpart), PTC Creo (.prt), Inventor (.ipt)

CNC machining, 5-axis, turning, injection molding, die casting

3D Print Files

STL (.stl), 3MF (.3mf)

SLA, SLS, MJF 3D printing programs

Flat Pattern Files

DXF (.dxf), DWG (.dwg)

Sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting, press brake bending

Additional 3D Formats

X_T, X_B (.x_t, .x_b), SAT (.sat), JT (.jt)

Alternative CAD system exports accepted

Drawings

PDF, DWG, DXF

Tolerance specifications, surface finish notes, inspection requirements

Top Proto is an Individual solution to each Requirement

Worldwide, we serve industries through our flexible CNC services which include milling, turning, and drilling. This is because we are very flexible in providing solutions to any complexity or requirement.

Proficiency and Accuracy in Each Process

Top Proto has years of experience in CNC machining and each of the parts is produced to the highest standards. Both prototyping and high-volume production: we ensure high-quality results that are accurate.

Lead Times by Process

Process

Prototype Lead Time

Production Lead Time

CNC Machining — Aluminum

3 to 5 business days

5 to 10 business days depending on quantity

CNC Machining — Steel / Stainless

5 to 7 business days

7 to 14 business days depending on quantity

CNC Machining — Titanium / Inconel

7 to 10 business days

10 to 20 business days depending on quantity

3D Printing — SLA / MJF

1 to 3 business days

3 to 5 business days

3D Printing — SLS

3 to 5 business days

5 to 7 business days

Sheet Metal — Laser Cut and Bent

3 to 5 business days

5 to 10 business days depending on quantity

Injection Molding — Rapid Tooling

7 to 14 days tooling + 3 to 5 days parts

Batch production 5 to 10 days after tool approval

Vacuum Casting

7 to 12 business days

Additional 5 to 7 days per new mold set

Die Casting — Rapid Tooling

15 to 25 days tooling + 3 to 5 days parts

Batch production after tool approval