CNC Manufacturing · Est. 2016

Precision parts,
shipped worldwide,
quoted in 4 hours.

FOBPROTO is a CNC workshop that speaks both engineering and procurement. Upload a STEP file — an engineer reviews the geometry, flags manufacturability issues, and quotes back with FOB or DDP pricing. Prototypes to 10,000-piece production, same quality system.

Operating parameters
Quote response ≤ 4 hours
Lead time, prototype 5–10 days
Lead time, production 10–21 days
Tightest tolerance ±0.005 mm
Max part envelope 1200 × 600 × 500
Material library 60+ alloys
Minimum order 1 piece
14,200+
Parts shipped in 2025
98.7%
On-time delivery rate
47
Countries served
0.32%
Defect rate, 12mo avg
01 / Capabilities

Six primary processes, one integrated workshop. From single prototypes to 10,000-piece production runs.

01 · MILLING

3 & 4-axis CNC milling

Haas VF series and DMG MORI DMC machining centers. Precision ±0.025mm routinely, ±0.01mm on request. Parts up to 1200×600×500 mm.

Milling specs
02 · 5-AXIS

Simultaneous 5-axis machining

DMG MORI DMU 50 machining centers. Complex geometries, impellers, medical implants, aerospace brackets — in a single setup.

5-axis specs
03 · TURNING

CNC turning & mill-turn

Nakamura-Tome WT series live-tool lathes. Diameters to Ø420mm, lengths to 1500mm. Turn-mill in one setup.

Turning specs
04 · SWISS

Swiss-type precision turning

Citizen Cincom L20 & M32. Micro-diameter parts from Ø1mm, slenderness ratio 20:1. Medical, electronics, instrumentation.

Swiss specs
05 · EDM

Wire & sinker EDM

Sodick AQ400L wire EDM and AG60L sinker. Surface finish to Ra 0.4μm, intricate geometries, hardened materials up to 65 HRC.

EDM specs
06 · FINISHING

In-house surface treatment

Type II/III anodizing, bead blasting, passivation, black oxide, powder coating, laser marking. Electroless nickel and precision polishing via qualified partners.

Finishing specs
02 / How we work

Built for both sides of the curve. Same quality process whether you need 3 prototypes or 3,000 production parts.

Prototype path

One-off to pilot batch

For design validation, engineering samples, proof-of-concept, and pilot runs up to ~100 pieces.

  • Upload STEP/IGES — no NDA required to start
  • Engineer quote + DFM review within 4 hours
  • Deposit confirmation, production scheduled next business day
  • Ship in 5–10 business days via DHL/FedEx express
  • Full CMM inspection report included, no extra fee
Production path

50 to 10,000 pieces

For serial production, supply agreements, and multi-release programs. Volume pricing kicks in at 50 pcs.

  • NDA & technical review — engineer assigned to your project
  • First Article Inspection (FAI) before production release
  • SPC on critical dimensions, PPAP level 1–3 available
  • FOB Shanghai/Ningbo or DDP to your dock, your Incoterms
  • Net 30 terms after 3rd reorder or credit check
03 / Materials

60+ alloys stocked or sourced on demand. Full traceability, mill certificates available on every order.

View complete material library →
04 / Industries

We machine for teams who can't afford a bad supplier.

→ 01
Medical Devices
ISO 13485 · Biocompatible
→ 02
Aerospace
AS9100D · FAI Reports
→ 03
Semiconductor
Class 1000 Packaging
→ 04
Robotics
Repeatability Focus
→ 05
EV & Energy
IATF 16949
→ 06
Research
University & Lab

We turn parts for instruments that measure brain activity, jigs that assemble aircraft engines, housings for lithography equipment, and arms for surgical robots. Every industry has its own standards — and its own definition of failure. We know the difference.

05 / Recent work

Sample project — surgical instrument housing for a European medical device company.

PROJECT · 2025-Q4 · CONFIDENTIAL

Five-axis machined titanium housing, 250 units, shipped to Munich.

Industry Surgical robotics
Material Ti-6Al-4V ELI (ASTM F136)
Process 5-axis, EDM corners
Bore tolerance Ø8H7 (+0.015/0)
Surface finish Ra 0.4 μm, passivated
Inspection 100% CMM, FAI
Lead time 18 days, DDP Munich
Verified customer
"We'd been burned twice by overseas suppliers who couldn't hold bore tolerance on titanium. FOBPROTO's DFM review actually caught a fixturing issue we hadn't seen ourselves. 250 parts, zero rejects, and they fit on first assembly."
— Senior Mechanical Engineer
Medical robotics company, Munich
06 / Knowledge base

Design better parts. Save money. Ship faster.

Browse all 50+ guides →
07 / Questions

Asked by procurement managers and design engineers more than once.

Q.01
Why choose a China-based shop over Protolabs or Xometry?
Two honest reasons. First, for mid-volume production (50–10,000 pcs), our pricing is typically 40–60% lower with equivalent quality — we hold the same ISO certifications and use the same machine-tool OEMs (DMG MORI, Haas, Nakamura). Second, for complex 5-axis parts with tight tolerances, we offer direct engineer-to-engineer communication, not just automated DFM. For simple prototype parts in 3–5 days, US-based shops are still faster for North American customers — we're transparent about that.
Q.02
How do you handle IP protection and NDAs?
We sign mutual NDAs (your template or ours) before reviewing proprietary designs. Our standard practice: project files are accessible only to the assigned engineer and machinist, fixtures are destroyed after production unless the customer requests retention, and we do not reuse designs or sell information about customer parts. For patent-pending or defense-adjacent work, we can scope a dedicated workshop cell.
Q.03
What shipping terms do you offer? Can you handle DDP to the US or EU?
We offer EXW, FOB (Shanghai or Ningbo), CIF, DAP, and DDP. For most North American and EU customers, DDP via DHL/FedEx/UPS is simplest — we handle export customs, duties, and import VAT as applicable. Typical transit: 3–5 days to US, 4–6 days to EU, 5–7 days to Japan/Korea/Australia. For production runs over 200 kg, we also offer sea freight via partner forwarders.
Q.04
What quality documentation is available?
Standard with every order: dimensional inspection report on critical features, material certificate, and Certificate of Conformance. Available on request (free for production orders): Full CMM report, First Article Inspection (AS9102 format), PPAP Level 1–3, material test report per heat lot, and surface finish measurement via profilometer. We can match your internal quality template if provided.
Q.05
What's your minimum order quantity?
One piece. Seriously — we built the workshop around flexibility. Our pricing structure has three tiers: prototype (1–9 pcs), low-volume (10–49 pcs), and production (50+ pcs). The per-piece price drops significantly at each threshold because setup cost amortizes, but we won't turn away a one-off part.
Q.06
How do payments work? Can we establish net terms?
New customers: 50% deposit, 50% on shipment. Wire transfer, credit card (3% fee), or PayPal. After 3 successful orders or a passed credit check, we offer Net 30 terms (with credit insurance for orders over $20k). For EU customers, we can invoice in EUR; for Japan, in JPY. US-based customers get Net 30 automatically after a D&B check.
READY WHEN YOU ARE

Have a drawing? We'll quote it before you finish your coffee.

Upload STEP or IGES. An engineer — not a bot — reviews the geometry and replies within 4 business hours with a detailed quote, DFM feedback, and shipping options in your preferred Incoterms.

Start a quote Meet the team