It’s a good time to consider StartProto when your internal queue is backed up, a job is going to miss a deadline, or the part doesn’t fit your current machine availability. Most teams use it to keep working not as a replacement for what they already have. 

It usually comes down to urgency, material requirements, and machine availability. If a job is going to delay other work or miss a deadline, it’s a good candidate to route externally. 

No. You can keep using your existing systems — CAD, print queues, spreadsheets. This just gives you another option when scheduling gets tight. 

Turnaround depends on part complexity and process, but the goal is predictable lead times you can plan around — not last-minute surprises. 

Anything from quick-turn concept models to functional prototypes. Most teams use it for parts that are needed quickly  or would otherwise delay the schedule. 

Parts are produced using standardized processes and controlled environments to ensure repeatability. It’s especially important for validation and presentation parts. 

Instead of jobs sitting in queue or forcing schedule changes, you have a way to move work forward. That helps reduce backlog, stabilize schedules, and keep downstream work from slipping.