bracket_v3.step
Physical part01
Have a CAD file?
Send us your design and we'll manufacture it.
Formats.STL.STEP.3MF
Custom & replacement parts for business
CUSTOM PARTS.MADE ON DEMAND.
Upload your design, send a part for us to scan, or let us design it for you. Protoworks manufactures the custom and replacement parts your business needs.
UK-based • Prototypes • Replacement parts • Low-volume production
Fig. 01 — Representative partsMade to order · Quantities from 1
Manufacturing for businesses that need parts without the hassle.
- Custom Parts
- Rapid Prototyping
- Replacement Parts
- Low-Volume Production
- Repeat Orders
- UK Based
01The problem
Some parts shouldn't be this difficult to source.
- 01
Expensive replacements
Original replacement components can be expensive, difficult to source or no longer available.
- 02
Long lead times
Waiting weeks for a custom or obsolete component can hold up an entire operation.
- 03
Large minimum orders
Traditional manufacturing isn't always economical when you only need a handful of parts.
02The Protoworks approach
Manufacturing without the overhead.
Manufacture the parts you actually need, when you need them — without committing to large production runs or expensive tooling.
InputCAD · Drawing · Photo
Your design
ProcessReview · Make · Inspect
- 01 Requirement review
- 02 Material selection
- 03 Manufacture
- 04 Quality check
Protoworks
OutputDelivered · Reorderable
Physical part
Requirement → design → physical part → repeat production. Protoworks isn't just somewhere to send a file — it's a manufacturing partner for the parts your business relies on.
03How it works
From idea to part.
- 01
Send us your requirements
Upload a CAD file, a drawing or photos — or send the part itself and we'll scan it on professional 3D scanners.
- 02
We make it
We review the requirements, select the appropriate manufacturing approach and produce your part.
- 03
Reorder whenever you need it
Keep your parts available in your Protoworks account and reorder them whenever required.
04Services
How to get your part made.
Start from a finished CAD model, a design brief, or a physical part we can scan on professional 3D scanners.
Physical part- PhotographsIMG_2041.jpg
- Drawings & sketchesbracket-sketch.pdf
- Dimensions & requirementsØ12.4 bore · 100 mm
Design draft · Rev A
02
Need a part designed?
Don't have a CAD file? Send us the physical part, drawings, photographs or requirements and we can help create the design.
Physical part
Printed part03
Have a physical part?
We scan it on professional 3D scanners and turn that scan into a model we can print. Send the part — even a broken one — and we'll capture its shape so it can be recreated or improved.
05Replacement parts
Can't find the replacement part?
Whether a component is obsolete, unavailable, expensive or simply difficult to source, Protoworks can help you recreate it. Send us the part and we can scan it on professional 3D scanners before we manufacture the replacement.
Replace a part+ Reinforcing rib added
Example comparison
Illustrative only — not a quote. Actual pricing depends on the part.
Traditional replacement
- Long lead time
- High replacement cost
- May be discontinued or out of stock
- Sold as a full assembly or in packs
Example: OEM lever assembly
£64.00 each · 4–6 week supplier lead time
Protoworks
- Made to your requirements
- Manufactured on demand
- Improve on the original where it failed
- Order one, or a small batch
Example: recreated lever bracket
£9.50 per unit · plus one-off design work
06The parts library
Your parts. Ready when you need them.
Once we've manufactured a part for your business, you can keep it in your Protoworks parts library and reorder it from the customer portal.
- Saved specificationsMaterial, colour, files and notes stored against every part.
- Revision historyDesign changes are tracked, so you always reorder the right version.
- Order again in secondsChoose a quantity and reorder — no re-quoting from scratch.
Customer portal
The portal is at portal.proto-works.uk. To make an account, request a one-time access code from us, then enter it when you sign up. Quotes stay on this page — you don't need an account to ask for one.
UPLOAD ONCE.
REORDER WHENEVER YOU NEED IT.
ACME Engineering
My Parts
Sensor Mount
FF-1024
PLA+Black
£7.80 / unit
Last ordered 24 Sep
£7.80
Cable Bracket
FF-1025
PETGBlack
£4.20 / unit
Last ordered 29 Sep
£4.20
Equipment Housing
FF-1026
ABSGrey
£18.50 / unit
Last ordered 28 Sep
£18.50
Customer portal preview · Example company and pricing
07Industries
Built for businesses that need physical parts.
If your operation depends on equipment, there's a good chance it depends on parts that are hard to buy off the shelf.
Engineering
Brackets, mounts, enclosures and fixtures for machines, test rigs and bespoke equipment.
Manufacturing
Jigs, guides, spares and line-side components that keep production moving.
Events & AV
Custom brackets, mounts, cable management and equipment accessories for your specific setup.
Facilities & Maintenance
Replacement knobs, covers, clips and fittings that are hard to find or no longer made.
Automotive
Interior trim clips, brackets, adapters and workshop tooling for vehicles and fleets.
Construction
Site-specific fixings, spacers, templates and protective caps made to suit the job.
Product Development
Prototypes and fit-check parts for testing ideas before committing to tooling.
Equipment Rental
Replacement parts and accessories that keep hire fleets working and earning.
08What we make
Parts that do a job.
Functional components for real equipment — from a single replacement to a repeatable production batch.
- 01
Replacement parts
Recreated from originals or drawings
- 02
Mounting brackets
Ribbed, slotted and made to fit
- 03
Equipment housings
Enclosures with bosses and vents
- 04
Cable management
Clips, trays, combs and guides
05Custom adapters
Flanges, reducers and interfaces
06Jigs & fixtures
Drill guides and assembly aids
07Prototypes
Test fit and form before tooling
08Low-volume production
Consistent small batches
09Materials
Choose the right material for the job.
Engineering thermoplastics selected for how your part will be used — strength, temperature, flexibility or outdoor exposure.
- Prototypes
PLA
Polylactic acid
Typical applications
Prototypes, fit checks, display models and low-stress indoor parts.
Key characteristics
- Rigid with a good surface finish
- Holds dimensions well
- Lower heat resistance — best kept indoors
- General purpose
PLA+
Toughened PLA
Typical applications
Functional indoor brackets, mounts, covers and fixtures.
Key characteristics
- Tougher and less brittle than standard PLA
- Good detail and finish
- Similar heat limits to PLA
- Functional
PETG
Polyethylene terephthalate glycol
Typical applications
Mounts, cable management, guards and parts exposed to moisture.
Key characteristics
- Tough with a little flex
- Good moisture and chemical resistance
- Better heat resistance than PLA
- Heat resistant
ABS
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
Typical applications
Enclosures, housings and parts used in warmer environments.
Key characteristics
- Higher heat resistance than PLA or PETG
- Impact resistant
- Can be sanded and finished
- Outdoor
ASA
Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate
Typical applications
Outdoor fittings, exterior covers and vehicle-mounted parts.
Key characteristics
- UV and weather resistant
- Heat resistance similar to ABS
- Holds colour outdoors
- Flexible
TPU
Thermoplastic polyurethane
Typical applications
Bumpers, feet, seals, protective covers and cable strain relief.
Key characteristics
- Flexible and elastic (typically Shore 95A)
- Abrasion resistant
- Absorbs vibration and impact
Not sure what material you need?
Tell us how the part is used and we'll recommend a material.
10Why Protoworks
More than a 3D print.
Protoworks is a UK-based manufacturing service for businesses. We don't just print the file you send — we work with you from the requirement, through design and manufacture, to the next order and the one after that.
Send us a CAD model, a drawing, a photo or a worn-out component. We'll help turn it into a part you can rely on, and keep it ready for whenever you need more.
Requirement→Design→Physical part→Repeat production
- 01
Manufacture what you need
Produce parts when you need them instead of holding unnecessary stock.
- 02
Design support
Already have a CAD file, or only a physical part? We can work from your file or scan the part itself.
- 03
Repeatable orders
Keep your parts available for future production.
- 04
Small-batch friendly
Ideal for prototypes, replacement parts and low-volume production.
11Process
Built around your requirements.
A clear, consistent route from your first message to a part in your hands.
01
Requirement
We review your files, photos or brief and confirm what the part needs to do.
02
Design / CAD
We prepare or check the CAD model — from your file, a 3D scan, or a design we create.
03
Material Selection
We match the material to strength, temperature and environment.
04
Manufacturing
Your part is produced using the most suitable manufacturing approach.
05
Quality Check
Parts are checked against the agreed requirements before they leave us.
06
Delivery
Packed and shipped to you — and saved for repeat orders.
HAVE A PART IN MIND?
Send us the file, the part, or simply tell us what you need.
No obligation. We'll review your requirements and get back to you.
12Request a quote
Tell us about your part.
Share as much or as little as you have. A file, a photo and a rough quantity is plenty to get started.
01
We review your request
An engineer looks at your files and requirements.
02
We come back to you
With questions, a recommendation or a quote.
03
You approve, we make it
Your part is manufactured and saved for reorders.
Prefer email?
andrew@proto-works.ukCustomer portal
New accounts need a one-time access code. Request one, then create your account at portal.proto-works.uk.
13FAQ
Questions, answered.
Something else on your mind? Email andrew@proto-works.uk.
What types of parts can Protoworks manufacture?
We make functional plastic components for businesses — brackets, mounts, enclosures and housings, cable management, adapters, jigs and fixtures, replacement parts and prototypes. If you're not sure whether your part is suitable, send us the details and we'll tell you honestly.
Can you manufacture a part from an existing physical component?
Yes. We can 3D scan the part on professional scanners, or work from photos and measurements, and recreate it as a CAD model before manufacturing. Where the original failed, we can often reinforce that area in the new design.
Do you have 3D scanners?
Yes. We use professional 3D scanners to capture a physical part, then turn that scan into a model we can manufacture. Send the part, or start with photos, and we'll tell you if a scan is the right next step.
Can you design a part for us?
Yes. If you don't have a CAD file, we can design the part from drawings, sketches, photographs, dimensions or a written description of what it needs to do. We'll confirm the design with you before anything is made.
What CAD files can I send?
STL, STEP and 3MF are preferred. We can also work from other common formats, PDF or DXF drawings, and photos. If you have something else, send it and we'll let you know if we can use it.
What materials are available?
We currently offer PLA, PLA+, PETG, ABS, ASA and TPU. Each suits different conditions — for example ASA for outdoor use or TPU where a part needs to flex. If you tell us how the part is used, we'll recommend a material.
Can I order small quantities?
Yes. Protoworks is built for small quantities — from a single prototype or replacement part to low-volume production batches, without the tooling costs or large minimum orders of traditional manufacturing.
Can I reorder the same part later?
Yes. Parts we've made for you can be kept in your Protoworks account with their specifications, so you can order another batch from the customer portal without starting from scratch.
How do I create a customer account?
Accounts are created at portal.proto-works.uk with a one-time access code from Protoworks. Request a code on this page, then enter it when you sign up. You can still request a quote here without an account.
How long does manufacturing take?
It depends on the part, the quantity and whether design work is needed. We'll give you an expected timescale with your quote, and if you have a deadline, include it in your request so we can plan around it.
Do you deliver across the UK?
Yes — we're UK-based and can deliver to businesses across the UK. Delivery options and costs are confirmed when we quote.