Prototype Manufacturing in China
CCB turns drawings or product concepts into prototype briefs for Chinese suppliers. Decide whether the sample must prove appearance, fit, function or the production process: a convincing display model may still be unsuitable as a production approval sample.
We reply the same working day to confirm receipt and arrange next steps.
What to send us for a quote
Send CAD and PDF drawings if available, sketches or reference samples, test purpose, intended material, finish, quantity, mating parts and destination. Explain which features may be approximate and which must represent production. Flag confidentiality and ownership requirements before files are released.
What drives the cost?
Process choice drives cost: machining, additive manufacturing, casting and soft tooling have different material and finishing limits. Iterations, bought-in parts, hand finishing, assembly and testing add work. A prototype quote should identify reusable tooling and operations that change in production.
How is quality controlled?
Use a first-article checklist tied to the test purpose, with recorded dimensions, materials and deviations. Review changes between iterations and freeze an approved revision before production. For a small prototype lot, agree individual checks rather than assuming AQL fits; ISO 2859-1 sampling is an option for suitable later production lots.
What affects lead time?
Brief completeness, material availability, design feedback, assembly dependencies, testing and revisions determine the schedule. Define the approval gate and the next decision before starting each iteration.
What should UK importers check?
Confirm the commodity code, customs value, origin, importer of record and EORI with your broker. Duty depends on classification and applicable trade measures. Check product-specific UKCA or CE requirements where relevant; a component or factory certificate does not establish conformity of the finished product. Great Britain and Northern Ireland can follow different routes.
Where can I see relevant factory profiles?
Use the industry directory as a starting point, then check the profile’s evidence and verification status. A listing is not proof of capability for your drawing.
Standards and regulatory sources
Check the applicable market and agreed edition; naming a standard is not a certificate of compliance.
What you get
- A UK sourcing company with its own team in China, coordinating your brief and supplier questions.
- A written specification, acceptance criteria and delivery responsibilities agreed before commitment.
- Evidence and open questions recorded for your approval.
What we do
- Review your files and intended use; clarify specification, inspection scope and delivery.
- Compare supplier proposals or agree the check scope, including exclusions and required evidence.
- Coordinate samples or on-site work, record findings and obtain your approval before the next commitment.
- Arrange the agreed production follow-up, inspection, report and delivery paperwork.
Cambridge China Bridge in brief
- Buying from Chinese factories since 2021 (the company was incorporated in September 2022), for our own businesses and for clients on the same terms.
- Our own staff are based in China, at two bases: the Pearl River Delta (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan) and the Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu). They visit factories themselves.
- Quotes to suit how you buy: one delivered price, or an itemised quote with the factory cost, freight, duty and our service fee shown separately. Open-book detail is available on request.
- Audits and inspections are usually included in the quote for an order placed with us; complex checks that need a third party are charged extra, agreed first.
- Orders run from a first trial to scheduled full containers; the factory’s own minimum is stated in the quote.
- In one project, a UK EV charging operator cut unit cost by 70% and scaled 3× faster. In another, a multi-site Cambridge café chain saved 50% on packaging.
- A UK company in Cambridge and London: Cambridge China Bridge is the trading name of Piggy Pineapple Ltd, company number 14385590.
- Send 1–3 products you buy now and what you pay. We compare the same specification, quantity, inspection and delivery scope to establish a cost benchmark.
- A reference call with a past client can be arranged, with that client’s agreement.
How we charge
Quotes to suit how you buy: one delivered price, or an itemised quote with the factory cost, freight, duty and our service fee shown separately. Open-book detail is available on request.
Our margin is included in the quoted price or shown separately as a service fee. The service fee depends on the agreed scope, including products, samples, inspections and ongoing supply.
Questions buyers ask
Can a prototype be the production sample?
Only if its material, process and performance represent the intended production route and you approve that basis. Otherwise commission a production-intent first article before the batch.
What do you need before quoting?
Send CAD and PDF drawings if available, sketches or reference samples, test purpose, intended material, finish, quantity, mating parts and destination. Explain which features may be approximate and which must represent production. Flag confidentiality and ownership requirements before files are released.
What changes the price?
Process choice drives cost: machining, additive manufacturing, casting and soft tooling have different material and finishing limits. Iterations, bought-in parts, hand finishing, assembly and testing add work. A prototype quote should identify reusable tooling and operations that change in production.
How do you check the order?
Use a first-article checklist tied to the test purpose, with recorded dimensions, materials and deviations. Review changes between iterations and freeze an approved revision before production. For a small prototype lot, agree individual checks rather than assuming AQL fits; ISO 2859-1 sampling is an option for suitable later production lots.
When can the goods or report be ready?
Brief completeness, material availability, design feedback, assembly dependencies, testing and revisions determine the schedule. Define the approval gate and the next decision before starting each iteration.
How do I start an enquiry?
Use the contact page to send your brief and existing files. We clarify scope, evidence gaps, delivery and the next approval. Phone, WhatsApp or a Meet call can be arranged through that page.