Fathom’s Low-Volume Production Services
Growing Production Needs? Learn How Fathom Can Help
Low-volume production is a manufacturing method for creating small to medium quantities of parts, ranging from dozens to several thousand units. It prioritizes flexibility, customization, and rapid response over the cost-per-unit efficiency of mass production.
Many third-party manufacturers prefer to avoid low-volume production in favor of long production runs of relatively simple geometries, but Fathom’s overall focus is supporting customers from early prototyping and bridge production to short-medium volume production.
Low-volume, high-mix projects are our sweet spot. We’ve been doing them for decades and we’re experts at them. Take advantage of our short lead times and flexible approach!
Manufacturing Technologies for Low-Volume Production
Fathom offers several technologies that are capable of small-batch production with customization including:
CNC Machining
CNC machining makes it easy to move from prototyping into production. You can transition from CAD file to production in as little as a few days. It requires minimal investment to set up tooling and prepare the machine. It can accommodate design changes easily compared to other technologies.
Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing is valued for low-volume production because parts can be produced in small quantities fairly quickly. Design changes are very easy to accommodate. Additive parts can often serve as production substitutes while injection mold tooling is being built.
Injection Molding
If you’ve invested in tooling that’s designed to support a larger number of shots, you can easily scale up production quickly. It can do so while maintaining excellent repeatability. A variety of plastic materials, many with unique properties, are available for injection molding.
STEP Technology
STEP can produce parts with injection molding-like quality but without tooling. It’s ideal for prototyping but is also designed to easily scale up to low-volume production because its build plate can quickly produce dozens of parts at time.
Advantages of Low-Volume Production
Moving your part from prototyping into production can be risky. Low-volume production enables you to take “baby steps” before committing to thousands or tens of thousands of parts.
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Faster Go to Market
Products can be pushed to market in a matter of days or weeks instead of months. Some industries change at a rapid pace and low-volume production can help you stay ahead of changing trends.
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Quicker Market Feedback
Gather customer feedback before doing high-volume production. Provide marketing teams with samples. Ideal for testing form, fit and function.
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Reduced Tooling Cost
Digital manufacturing works directly from a CAD file. The file is used to build the item. There is no need for tooling or expensive and time-consuming machine setup.
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Shortened Lead Times
High-volume production requires specialized tooling. Additive manufacturing or 3D printing significantly reduces lead time by eliminating the need for a mold or tooling.
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Responsiveness to Design Iterations
Low-volume production usually means reduced costs and shorter production times, often with the ability to quickly make design changes.
Why Choose Fathom for Low-Volume Production
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Our expert engineers will help you optimize your part designs for production.
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Our engineering and production teams bring decades of expertise and problem-solving to every project.
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We offer manufacturing and full post-processing capabilities under one roof for one point of accountability
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We’re your partner from design and prototyping to bridge and full production.
PolyJet Materials Available
PolyJet 3D printing uses photopolymers that can simulate different material properties ranging from rubber to rigid and transparent to opaque. Download our materials list to learn more.
