Custom Manufacturing Capabilities: 40+ Processes Under One Roof
Meco's custom manufacturing capabilities cover metal injection molding, powder metallurgy, forging, aluminum extrusion, 3D printing, heat treatment, and surface finishing.
- Eight advanced custom manufacturing methods in-house.
- As accurate as 0.005 mm on key features, CMM inspected.
- Free DFM design review and quote in under 24 hours.
What Are Custom Manufacturing Capabilities?
Custom manufacturing capabilities are the full set of methods a contract manufacturer uses to make parts to a customer's exact design. They include core methods like CNC machining and casting, plus advanced and special methods.
Once your parts are made, we can also put them together with our mechanical assembly services, pack them, and ship them anywhere. For a deeper look at how everything works together, read our complete guide to industrial manufacturing or learn what contract manufacturing involves.
Processes
40+
Core, advanced, and specialty methods.
Tightest Tolerance
0.005 mm
CMM-inspected on key features.
Volume Range
10 to 10M+
Prototype through mass production.
Certification
IATF 16949
Includes ISO 9001:2015 requirements.
6 Advanced Custom Manufacturing Capabilities
These advanced custom manufacturing capabilities build parts close to their final shape from the start, which cuts machining time, material waste, and cost per part.
Metal Injection Molding (MIM)
Great for small, complex pieces in stainless steel, brass, bronze, and tungsten carbide. Strong (over 450 MPa) and dense (96% solid). Learn more in our complete guide to metal injection molding.
See metal injection molding →
Powder Metallurgy (PM)
Great for self-lubricating bearings, small gears, and structural sintered parts. See how PM compares in our MIM vs PM guide.
See powder metallurgy →
Plastic 3D Printing
We build plastic parts one thin layer at a time. No mold needed, so it is ideal for testing ideas fast or making just a few parts. We print ABS, TPU and more, and can mix soft and hard plastics in one part. See how on-demand 3D printing works.
See plastic 3D printing →
Custom Metal 3D Printing
Lasers melt metal powder one layer at a time (DMLS), giving fast prototyping with no tooling cost. For comparison with traditional machining, see our CNC machine costs guide.
See metal 3D printing →
Forging (Hot and Cold)
We hammer or press metal into shape, which makes it far stronger. Hot forging heats metal first, suiting big, tough parts like shafts and gears. Cold forging works at room temperature, ideal for small high-volume bolts and pins.
See forging parts →
Custom Aluminum Extrusion
Perfect for rails, heat sinks, and frames, up to 350 by 350 mm cross-section. We can finish with anodizing, powder coat, paint, or polish on the same program.
See aluminum extrusion →Swipe to explore all six capabilities
3 Supporting Custom Manufacturing Capabilities
These are the finishing steps that make raw parts stronger, rust-proof, good-looking, and ready to use straight out of the box.
Metal Heat Treatment
We heat parts to specific temperatures, then cool them in a controlled environment. We run aluminum tempers (T1 to T651) and all common steels, and it fits directly into our forging and machining workflows.
See heat treatment →
Surface Finishing
Coatings that protect parts from rust, wear, and scratches: anodizing, chrome, zinc, nickel, PVD, paint, powder coat, e-coat, and galvanizing. We can also chrome-plate ABS plastic. Find out how much powder coating costs or why galvanized steel turns dark.
See surface finishing →
Mechanical Assembly
Once parts are made, we assemble them using rivets, presses, welds, adhesive, and screws torqued to spec. Full assembly lines, manual and robotic, with electronics-safe work areas. Read our complete guide to mechanical assembly and box build assembly.
See mechanical assembly →Swipe for all three
Custom Manufacturing Capabilities Comparison
Compare our capabilities by part size, volume, tooling cost, and key advantage. For full sourcing guidance, read how to find a manufacturer for your product or how to choose a machining partner.
| Capability | Best Volume | Part Size | Tooling Cost | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Injection Molding | 10K to 1M+ | Under 100 g | High | Small complex steel parts at scale |
| Powder Metallurgy | 10K to 1M+ | Under 1 kg | Medium | Net-shape, low waste, self-lubricating |
| Plastic 3D Printing | 1 to 50 | Any | None | Fastest prototyping, no tooling |
| Metal 3D Printing | 1 to 50 | Small to medium | None | Internal channels, lattices, titanium |
| Hot Forging | 500 to 500K | 50 g to 500 kg | High | Highest strength and fatigue life |
| Cold Forging | 10K to 1M+ | Under 500 g | High | Work-hardened fasteners, near-net |
| Aluminum Extrusion | 100 to 100K+ | Up to 350 x 350 mm | Low to medium | Long profiles, heat sinks, rails |
| Heat Treatment | Any | Any | None | Tunes hardness, strength, stability |
| Surface Finishing | Any | Any | None | Corrosion, wear, and cosmetic protection |
Scroll inside the table to see every column
Why OEMs Choose Meco's Custom Manufacturing Capabilities
One accountable partner, 40+ processes, automotive-grade quality system.
40+ Processes In House
Casting, machining, forging, MIM, powder metallurgy, stamping, extrusion, 3D printing, finishing, and assembly, all under one roof.
Factory Owner, Not a Broker
20,000 m² in Thailand and 16,000 m² in China. We own and operate every line, so quality and schedule stay in our control. Learn what a contract manufacturer is.
DFM Before Tooling
Engineers recommend the right process and material before tooling is cut, which typically saves 15 to 30% on part cost. Quote in under 24 hours.
IATF 16949:2016 Certified
Automotive-grade quality across every capability, with APQP, PPAP, SPC, PFMEA, and EN 10204 3.1 material certification on request.
Swipe for all four
Materials by Custom Manufacturing Capability
Grades we run most often on each capability. If your drawing calls out a grade that is not listed, send it over and we will confirm availability with your quote.
| Capability | Materials Available |
|---|---|
| Metal Injection Molding | Stainless (MIM-316L, MIM-17-4PH), steel (MIM-4605), MIM-FeNi50, brass, bronze, tungsten carbide |
| Powder Metallurgy | Steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze, tungsten carbide |
| Plastic 3D Printing | ABS, TPU, PEEK, PC, PLA, PA (nylon) |
| Metal 3D Printing (DMLS) | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium |
| Hot Forging | Aluminum, steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze |
| Cold Forging | Steel, stainless steel |
| Aluminum Extrusion | 1050, 3003, 5052, 6005, 6060, 6061, 6063, 6082, 7075 |
| Heat Treatment | Aluminum (T1, T4, T5, T6, T62, T651); carbon and alloy steel (anneal, normalize, quench, temper, nitride, carburize, QPQ) |
Scroll inside the table to see every column
Standards: IATF 16949:2016 quality system, ISO 683-1-2018 for steel heat treatment.
Not Sure Which Process Fits Your Part?
Send a STEP or PDF drawing with your volume target. Our engineers recommend the process, material, and tooling route, then price it. NDAs signed as standard.
Custom Manufacturing Capabilities FAQ
What custom manufacturing capabilities does Meco offer?
Meco offers over 40 in-house capabilities: core methods (CNC machining, casting, stamping, injection molding), advanced methods (MIM, powder metallurgy, metal and plastic 3D printing, forging, aluminum extrusion), and supporting methods (heat treatment, surface finishing, mechanical assembly), all under one IATF 16949:2016 quality system.
When should I choose MIM vs investment casting vs CNC machining?
For small (under 100 g), complex stainless or steel parts above 10,000 per year, MIM usually wins on cost. Investment casting works better for bigger parts and lower volumes. CNC machining is best for one-offs, prototypes, and very tight tolerances. See our MIM process guide.
When does forging beat casting or machining?
Forging wins when fatigue life, grain flow, and impact strength matter most, such as drivetrain shafts, gears, landing gear, and high-load brackets. Hot forging handles large, complex parts. Cold forging handles small high-volume fasteners with work-hardened surfaces.
How much does metal 3D printing (DMLS) cost?
DMLS pricing depends on material volume and print time. Typical prototypes range from $200 to $2,500 per part in aluminum or stainless steel, and titanium adds 30 to 50 percent. There is no tooling cost, so it is economical for 1 to 50 part runs. Above 50 parts, MIM or casting usually wins. For comparison, see our CNC machine costs breakdown.
What are the lead times for specialty capabilities?
3D printed prototypes ship in 3 to 7 days. MIM tooling takes 6 to 10 weeks, forging dies 6 to 12 weeks, and aluminum extrusion dies 4 to 6 weeks. Heat treatment and surface finishing add 3 to 7 days to existing parts. Quotes return in under 24 hours. Read about on-demand manufacturing for faster turnarounds.
Can Meco heat-treat and finish parts made elsewhere?
Yes. Heat treatment and surface finishing can be quoted as standalone capabilities, though most customers prefer end-to-end fabrication for single-PO accountability. See how much powder coating costs.
Do you offer prototyping plus mass production?
Yes. Prototype with FDM or DMLS 3D printing, then transition to MIM, casting, or machining for volume, with the same engineering team and quality system throughout. This is core to on-demand manufacturing and contract manufacturing.
What certifications back Meco's capabilities?
IATF 16949:2016, which includes all ISO 9001:2015 requirements. Quality processes cover APQP, PPAP, SPC, PFMEA, and CMM inspection. EN 10204 3.1 material certifications are available on request, and REACH and RoHS compliance is documented for every part.
What is the minimum order quantity?
No strict MOQ. 3D printing handles single parts, and CNC machining and finishing handle 10-piece prototype runs. MIM, forging, and extrusion become economical at 1,000+ parts because of tooling amortization. We scale from 10 pieces to 10 million+. Learn how to find a manufacturer.
How to Start a Custom Manufacturing Project
Upload STEP, IGES, or PDF drawings with material, finish, and volume targets via our quote form. Quote returned in under 24 hours.
Our engineers pick the best capability from 40+ options, suggest a material grade, and flag cost-saving design tweaks before tooling is cut.
We build tooling, or skip it for 3D-printed prototypes, run first articles, and ship FAI reports for your approval before production. See what occurs in contract manufacturing.
Full production with SPC, inspection reports, and global logistics from Thailand, China, US, Canada, and Japan warehouses.
Custom Manufacturing Capabilities Resources
In-depth guides on every capability, written by our engineering team. Want to talk to an engineer? Contact us.
What Is Metal Injection Molding?
MIM explained from powder feedstock to sintering, materials, and when MIM beats casting and machining on cost.
Read the guide →What Is Industrial Manufacturing?
The big picture of process families, sectors, and how specialty capabilities fit a turnkey program.
Read the guide →What Is On-Demand Manufacturing?
How on-demand sourcing, 3D printing, and low-MOQ production let you prototype fast and scale without re-shopping suppliers.
Read the guide →Swipe for all guides
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