Rapid Prototyping for Stainless Steel 316
Rapid prototyping in 316 stainless is used when corrosion testing, biocompatibility validation, or marine environment simulation requires the exact production material.
Recommended Machining Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Achievable Tolerances | ±0.02 mm (prototype standard) |
| Surface Finish | Ra 1.6-3.2 μm |
| Cutting Speed | 40-80 m/min |
| Feed Rate | 0.05-0.10 mm/tooth |
| Tooling Recommendations | Premium carbide with AlTiN coating. |
Expert Machining Tips
1
Specify 316L for medical device prototypes
2
Allow extra lead time for difficult machining
3
Consider 304 for initial form/fit prototypes to save cost
Common Parts Made
Marine corrosion test articles
Medical device prototypes
Chemical resistance validation parts
Machining Challenges
- Highest cost stainless to prototype
- Longest lead time among common materials
- Consider alternative for non-critical prototypes