Low-Volume Manufacturing: CNC & 3D Printing from 1–500 Parts
A procurement manager needs twelve machined brackets for a pilot run. The regular shop’s answer: it is not worth setting up the machine for that, or no answer at all. This is the everyday reality of low-volume manufacturing, a CNC or 3D-printed order too small for a shop that keeps its machines busy with bigger runs. The part still has to meet the drawing regardless of quantity. This guide covers what counts as a low-volume order, how cost per part shifts with quantity and how to source 1 to 500 parts without a new supplier search each time volume changes. Key Takeaways No minimum order quantity, but a minimum order value: A single part can be ordered, though every order carries a €250 floor covering quality control, review and logistics. The cheapest process shifts with volume: 3D printing tends to win below roughly 50 to 100 parts, CNC dominates from
