Which prototyping technology
for your project?
CadNov masters 5 prototyping technologies — 3D printing, plastic machining, vacuum casting, RIM and finishing. Our role: choose the optimal technology for your specific need, coordinate production and deliver a conforming prototype. CII-approved.
The role of CadNov: choosing the right technology for you
Rapid prototyping isn’t a single technology. Asking for SLA where plastic machining is needed, or moving to steel injection too early before validating the design — these mistakes cost time, money and delay projects.
CadNov is your prototyping design office: we analyze your need (material, quantity, lead time, finish, function), select the optimal technology among the 5 we master, coordinate production with our network of certified partners and deliver a conforming prototype.
This selection analysis is carried out free of charge — it’s the first service CadNov offers you.
Why entrust your prototyping to CadNov?
A single point of contact for all technologies. No need to chase 5 different providers — CadNov coordinates everything from A to Z.
Integrated material expertise. CadNov is above all a plastics-engineering expert — the choice of PU grade, SLA resin or CNC material is made precisely, not at random.
DFM analysis included. CadNov detects manufacturing risks before launching production.
Complete quote, no surprises. The CadNov quote always includes manufacturing + finishing. No hidden costs at the end of the project.
CII-approved — French Ministry (MESR). Your prototyping costs within an innovative project are eligible for the Innovation Tax Credit — up to 30% recovered.
12 concrete cases — CadNov advises you
These examples illustrate how CadNov selects the optimal technology based on the specific need.
Watch case / jewelry
CadNov recommends DLP. Maximum resolution (0.025–0.05 mm), impeccable finish, 1 to 2 days lead time. Castable DLP resin also creates the model for lost-wax casting (jewelry).
→ DLP (high-resolution resin)Marketing presentation mock-up
CadNov recommends high-resolution SLA or PolyJet. SLA offers the best finish for complex shapes. PolyJet allows a rigid + soft two-material combination in the same part.
→ SLA or PolyJetFunctional prototype — real material
CadNov recommends CNC plastic machining. The only process that works in exact ABS, PA, PEEK or PTFE. Accuracy ±0.05 mm.
→ CNC plastic machiningOptically transparent part
CadNov recommends PMMA or PC machining + optical polishing. The only process achieving Ra < 0.1 µm transparency, identical to glass. SLA gives an acceptable transparent, but not optical.
→ PMMA/PC machining + optical polishingTwo-material handle soft + rigid
CadNov recommends two-material vacuum casting. Two successive PU castings in the same silicone mold exactly reproduce injection overmolding. 6 to 10 days lead time, 5 to 20 parts, all colors. Mold cost < €2,000.
→ Two-material vacuum castingLarge part — medical cover
CadNov recommends RIM. Aluminum mold €15–25 k vs steel injection mold >€200 k. Light structural PU foam. Note : sanding + painting mandatory — budget from the start.
→ RIM — aluminum moldSmall plastic run 50–500 parts
CadNov recommends MJF HP Multi Jet Fusion. Isotropic PA12 parts, very competitive cost beyond 50 parts, free geometries without supports. 2 to 4 days lead time.
→ MJF HP (production plastic)High-performance metal part
CadNov recommends DMLS/SLM. Conformal internal channels, 99.5–100 % density, properties close to forged. AlSi10Mg, SS316L, Ti6Al4V, Inconel.
→ DMLS/SLM metalAssembly with integrated hinges
CadNov recommends SLS. No supports needed — integrated hinges and interlocking assemblies possible directly. PA12 or PA+GF30. Runs of 10 to 200 parts.
→ SLS powder sinteringLarge dashboard prototype
CadNov recommends multi-block ABS machining. Part split into machined sub-assemblies, structural bonding, joint sanding, anti-UV paint finish. Result identical to an injected part — with no mold investment. 2 to 3 weeks lead time.
→ Multi-block ABS machiningColored run 5–20 PU parts
CadNov recommends vacuum casting. Pigments integrated into the PU mass — any RAL or Pantone reference. The silicone mold handles small undercuts. Each casting can change color at no tooling surcharge.
→ Colored vacuum castingLarge industrial enclosure
CadNov recommends RIM with aluminum mold. Integrated slides for complex undercuts (as in plastic injection). Rigid PU or structural foam. Aluminum mold €10–30 k. Sanding + RAL paint included in the quote.
→ RIM — aluminum mold + slidesPre-series plastic injection — 300 to 1,000+ parts in real material
CadNov recommends plastic injection with aluminum or steel cavities. For 300 to 1,000 parts, it’s time to invest in a prototype mold — aluminum for the smallest runs (€5–30 k), steel for longer runs (€20–80 k). Result: the real final material, the real cycle time, the real tolerances, the real surface finishes. It’s the final validation step before ordering the production mold.
€5,000 – 30,000
Lead time 4–6 wk
100 – 500 parts
€20,000 – 80,000
Lead time 6–10 wk
300 – 10,000+ parts
Real production material
Real surface finish
Real tolerance
Comparison table -> which technology for which need ?
This table gives initial guidance. CadNov refines the choice with you based on your project specifics.
| Need / Criterion | 3D print SLA/DLP | 3D print SLS/MJF | CNC plastic machining | Vacuum casting | RIM | Plastic injection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-short lead time (< 3 days) | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ | ★ | ✗ |
| Impeccable surface finish | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★ (paint) | ★★★★★ |
| Real production material (ABS, PA, PEEK…) | No | PA12 / PA11 | ★★★★★ | PU similar | PU similar | ★★★★★ |
| Optical transparency (PMMA / PC) | ★★★ resin | No | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ (polished mold) |
| Two-material rigid + soft | ★★★★★ PolyJet | No | No | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ (2K injection) |
| Large parts (> 500 mm) | ★★★ (800 mm) | ★★★ | ★★★★★ multi-block | ★★ | ★★★★★ (2 m+) | ★★ (costly steel mold) |
| Run 5–20 parts | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ✗ |
| Run 50–500 parts without mold | ★★ | ★★★★★ MJF | ★★★ | ✗ | ★★★★ | ★★ (mold required) |
| Run 300–1,000 parts real material | ✗ | ★★★ | ★★ | ✗ | ★★★★ (PU) | ★★★★★ |
| Mold / tooling cost | None | None | None | €500–2,000 | €3–30k | €5–80k |
| Finished part price (medium part) | € – €€ | €€ | €€ – €€€ | €€ | €€€ – €€€€ | € – €€ (in series) |
★★★★★ Ideal | ★★★★ Very good | ★★★ Acceptable | ★★ Possible with constraints | No Not recommended
The CadNov decision tree
Answer these 4 questions — CadNov refines the choice with you in 15 minutes.
Question 1 — What quantity do you need?
Question 2 — What is the part’s main function?
Question 3 — What size is the part?
Question 4 — What development stage are you at?
Pre-production plastic injection — 300 to 1,000+ parts in the real material
CadNov integrates pre-series plastic injection into its prototyping offer. For runs of 300 to 1,000 parts, injection with aluminum or steel cavities becomes the reference technology: real production material, real surface finish, real tolerances. It’s the process that definitively validates the product before ordering the production mold.
Pre-series plastic injection follows the logical continuity of prototyping: you start with SLA to validate aesthetics, move to CNC machining to validate mechanical function, then order aluminum cavities to validate production. CadNov supports every step.
Aluminum cavities — pre-series 100 to 500 parts
The starting choice. Mold machined in 7075 aluminum — cost €5,000 to 30,000 depending on complexity. Lifespan 500 to 5,000 parts depending on the injected material. Precision and surface finish comparable to a steel mold for most applications. Manufacturing lead time 4 to 6 weeks. Modifications possible at lower cost (aluminum easy to rework).
Ideal for: first injection in real material, assembly validation, mechanical and thermal tests, snap-fit test, homologation.
Steel cavities — run 300 to 10,000+ parts
The bridge to production. Mold machined in P20 or H13 steel — cost €20,000 to 80,000. Lifespan 10,000 to 100,000+ parts. Surface finish and tolerances identical to the production mold. Lead time 6 to 10 weeks. It’s the last investment before the high-volume production mold.
Ideal for: commercial pre-series, product launch, client validation, small commercial run.
CadNov — plastic injection expert since 1996
CadNov is above all a design office specialized in plastic injection and plastics engineering. Mold design, shrinkage calculation, parting-line optimization, material selection and industrialization are part of CadNov’s core business. Pre-series plastic injection is therefore not an outsourced service — it’s our primary area of expertise.
The 5 CadNov technologies in summary
Each technology comes with full CadNov support: DFM analysis, material selection, production follow-up, quality control, finishing.
3D printing — SLA, DLP, PolyJet, SLS, MJF, Carbon DLS, DMLS/SLM
8 technologies from DLP jewelry to DMLS metal. SLA and DLP for fine visual prototypes; SLS and MJF for functional small-run parts without a mold (50–1,000 parts); DMLS/SLM for high-performance metal.
The only technology that lets you prototype in real production material: ABS, PMMA, PC, POM, PA, PP, PPS, PTFE, PSU, PEEK, PVDF. Accuracy ±0.05 mm, PMMA/PC optical polishing, large multi-block parts assembled and painted.
Lead time 6–8 days · Real production material · 13+ plastic materials
Flexible silicone mold, PU resins (ABS-like, soft Shore A 30–90, transparent). Rigid + soft two-material via two successive castings. Unlimited colors (pigments in the mass). Ideal for 5 to 20 parts.
Lead time 6–12 days · Two-material possible · Unlimited colors
PU molding by reaction injection into rigid molds. Large parts up to 2 m+, undercuts with slides, two-material, light structural PU foam. Critical point: sanding + painting mandatory.
Lead time 4–10 weeks · Large size · 50 to 1,000 parts
Plastic injection — pre-production 300 to 1,000+ parts, real production material
Aluminum cavities (€5–30k, 4–6 wk, 100–500 parts) or steel (€20–80k, 6–10 wk, 300–10,000+ parts). The only technology producing parts in real production material, with the real surface finish and real tolerances. CadNov core expertise since 1996.
Finishing and appearance — high-gloss polish, painting, chrome plating, screen printing, PVD
10 finishing technologies coordinated by CadNov: optical polishing (Ra < 0.1 µm), painting in all RAL/Pantone colors, galvanic chrome plating (gold, rose gold, platinum — on ABS only), PVD metallization, screen/pad printing, laser engraving, powder coating, anodizing, sandblasting, heat treatment.
The CadNov approach — from your need to the delivered part
Needs analysis — free
You send your 3D file (STEP, STL, IGS) and your specifications: function, material, quantity, lead time, finish. CadNov analyzes your need and recommends the optimal technology within 24h.
Complete quote — within 48h
CadNov sends you a complete quote including manufacturing + finishing. No hidden costs. The quote states the delivery time, the chosen technology and the exact material.
Production + quality control
CadNov coordinates production with its certified partners, inspects the parts on receipt, then delivers. Inspection report available on request.
Accepted file formats
STEP (.stp), IGES (.igs), STL (.stl), SolidWorks (.sldprt), CATIA, 3MF, OBJ. 2D dimensioned drawing (PDF or DXF) accepted for simple parts. CadNov prepares the file if needed.
Innovation Tax Credit (CII) — CadNov approved by the French Ministry (MESR)
Prototyping costs within an innovative project are eligible for the CII — up to 30 % recovered on the invoice. CadNov supports you in preparing the CII file.
Since 1996, CadNov has supported innovative projects
A plastics-engineering design office based in Bourg-en-Bresse, CadNov (Antoine Errigo, CEO) supports manufacturers and start-ups in the design, prototyping and industrialization of their plastic products. Design, R&D, rheology, structural calculations, tooling, plastic injection: CadNov covers the entire product-development chain.
CadNov clients — all sectors
Automotive (Renault, Valeo), premium cosmetics (L’Oréal, Chanel, Bulgari), consumer electronics (Smoby, Danone), medical, aerospace, industry. CadNov is CII-approved — Innovation Tax Credit.
Your prototyping project in 24h.
Send your 3D file and your specifications — CadNov recommends the optimal technology and sends you a complete quote within 48h.
Request a quoteDiscover CadNov’s expertiseAntoine ERRIGO · +33 (0)4 74 32 23 60 · direction@cadnov.fr · CadNov, 240 rue des Câbles de Lyon, 01000 Saint Denis Lès Bourg · CII-approved