First-article CNC work, drawing review, and low-volume production from the same shop that will scale the part.
Prototype machining is where the engineering drawing meets the machine for the first time. A good prototype shop catches the print issues that would otherwise surface at scale, holds the same tolerance class production will require, and documents the setup so the next quantity does not re-invent the job. Prototype work routed through Quick Brown Fox Solutions runs on the same nine CNC milling centers, eight turning centers, and five Swiss-type platforms in our production network that handle production lots — not a separate, looser-quality prototype line.
Every prototype starts with a drawing review. We walk through the GD&T, datum scheme, surface finishes, and special process notes, then propose a fixturing approach and quote machine time. If the drawing has a feature that will be expensive or risky at quantity, we flag it before the first chip is cut. Every part ships under the network's ISO 9001:2015 quality system. QBF carries UEI MA3DSJEPMFQ8 and CAGE 201W8.
Programming happens before the part hits a machine. We model the part, review fixturing, simulate cutter paths, and pick the right platform from the production network — a 5-axis cell for contoured geometries, a 3-axis VMC at X 32.5 inch / Y 20.5 inch / Z 20.1 inch for larger prismatic work, or a Swiss-type lathe with bar capacity from .812 inch to 1.50 inch for small turned components. Workholding is built so the prototype, the first production lot, and the tenth production lot all clamp the same way.
First-article verification is performed on a benchtop optical comparator with calibrated hand gauging. Inspection records document every critical dimension on the print, and the program, tool list, setup sheet, and inspection plan are archived so the job can be repeated without rebuild. Materials routinely run include aluminum alloys, stainless steels, carbon and alloy steels, brass, bronze, copper, and engineering plastics; titanium and high-nickel alloys are available on request.
Prototype work ships at the same routine class as production: plus/minus .0002 inch on CNC milling and turning, with plus/minus .0001 inch repeatability on the high-precision lathe. Verification is performed on a benchtop optical comparator and with calibrated hand gauging, and every prototype ships against a documented first-article inspection record under the network's ISO 9001:2015 program. QBF carries UEI MA3DSJEPMFQ8 and CAGE 201W8 for federal prime contractors.
Scale the prototype on the same platforms with documented setups.
Single-setup machining of contoured geometries for first-article work.
Routine plus/minus .0002" with plus/minus .0001" lathe repeatability.
The full Quick Brown Fox Solutions service line.
