Manufacturing Equipment & Services Checklist

Tech-Enabled Small Manufacturing Business - Budget-Focused Equipment List

Overview

This comprehensive checklist covers essential equipment and services for a tech-enabled manufacturing business focused on:

  • Prototype builds and small production runs
  • CNC machining for simple items (tabletops, enclosures, brackets)
  • Vacuum forming for plastic parts and packaging
  • Metal fabrication (simple welding, cutting, forming)
  • Printing services (signs, stickers, labels, promotional materials)
  • 3D printing and additive manufacturing
  • Electronics prototyping and small-batch assembly

Budget Philosophy

Focus on cost-effective, off-brand equipment that delivers functionality over prestige. Prioritize AliExpress, Banggood, and similar suppliers for maximum value. Start with essential equipment and upgrade based on revenue generation.

Core Manufacturing Equipment

3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing

Equipment Description Budget Price Premium Price Recommended Sources
Entry FDM Printer Ender 3 V2 or similar, 220×220×250mm build $180-250 $300-400
AliExpress Banggood
Professional FDM Prusa i3 MK3S+ clone, dual Z-axis, auto-leveling $350-500 $750-900
FLSUN Artillery
Resin Printer (SLA) Elegoo Mars 3 or Anycubic Photon equivalent $200-300 $400-500
AliExpress Amazon
Large Format FDM 300×300×400mm+ build volume $600-900 $1200-1800
Tronxy Flsun
Filament Dryer Vacuum storage and drying system $80-120 $200-300
AliExpress
Print Removal Tools Spatulas, scrapers, cleaning tools $20-40 $50-80
AliExpress Amazon
Total 3D Printing Setup $1,430-2,110 $2,700-4,080

CNC Machining & Routing

Equipment Description Budget Price Premium Price Recommended Sources
Desktop CNC Router 3018 Pro or 3040 series, 300×400mm work area $300-500 $800-1200
AliExpress Banggood
Mid-Size CNC Router 6040 series, 600×400mm, stronger spindle $800-1200 $1800-2500
ChinaCNCzone
Spindle Upgrade 2.2KW water-cooled spindle for metal cutting $200-300 $400-600
AliExpress
CNC Tool Set End mills, drill bits, collets, workholding $100-200 $300-500
AliExpress MSC Industrial
Dust Collection Shop vacuum with cyclone separator $150-250 $400-600
Harbor Freight Amazon
Work Holding Clamps, vises, T-slot table accessories $100-200 $300-500
AliExpress Amazon
Total CNC Setup $1,650-2,650 $4,000-6,400

Vacuum Forming

Equipment Description Budget Price Premium Price Recommended Sources
DIY Vacuum Former Build-your-own kit, 12"×12" forming area $200-300 $400-600
AliExpress parts DIY
Commercial Vacuum Former Desktop unit, 18"×24" forming area $800-1200 $2000-3000
FormBox clones
Heating Element Ceramic heater panels for plastic heating $100-200 $300-500
AliExpress
Vacuum Pump 4CFM rotary vane pump $150-250 $400-600
Harbor Freight AliExpress
Forming Materials PETG, ABS, acrylic sheets (starter pack) $200-300 $400-600
Local plastics supplier
Total Vacuum Forming $1,450-2,250 $3,500-5,300

Metal Fabrication & Welding

Equipment Description Budget Price Premium Price Recommended Sources
MIG Welder 140A flux-core/gas, suitable for thin metals $200-350 $500-800
Harbor Freight AliExpress
TIG Welder 200A AC/DC for aluminum and steel $400-600 $1000-1500
HITBOX YESWELDER
Plasma Cutter 40A air plasma, 1/2" steel capacity $300-500 $800-1200
AliExpress Harbor Freight
Angle Grinder 4.5" and 7" grinders with cutting/grinding discs $60-100 $150-250
Harbor Freight Amazon
Metal Bandsaw 4×6" horizontal bandsaw for cutting stock $200-350 $500-800
Harbor Freight AliExpress
Welding Table Steel table with fixture holes $300-500 $800-1200
Build DIY AliExpress
Safety Equipment Welding helmet, gloves, apron, ventilation $150-250 $300-500
Amazon Local supplier
Total Metal Fabrication $1,610-2,650 $4,050-6,250

Cutting Tools & Material Processing

Equipment Description Budget Price Premium Price Recommended Sources
Vinyl Cutter 24" cutting plotter for signs and stickers $200-400 $600-1000
Vevor USCutter clones
Large Format Printer Epson EcoTank or Canon equivalent for posters $300-500 $800-1200
Costco Amazon
Laminator 27" cold/hot laminator for sign finishing $200-400 $600-1000
Amazon AliExpress
Paper Cutter Guillotine cutter, 36" capacity $150-300 $400-700
Amazon Office supply
Heat Press 15"×15" for vinyl application and transfers $150-300 $400-700
AliExpress Amazon
Laser Engraver 40W CO2 laser, 300×400mm bed $800-1200 $2000-3000
OMTech Vevor
Total Cutting/Printing $1,800-3,100 $4,800-7,600

Essential Shop Equipment

Power Tools & Hand Tools

Category Items Budget Price Premium Price Sources
Drill/Driver Set Cordless drill, impact driver, bits $100-200 $300-500
Harbor Freight Amazon
Circular Saw 7.25" corded circular saw $60-120 $150-300
Harbor Freight Home Depot
Jigsaw Variable speed orbital jigsaw $50-100 $120-250
Harbor Freight Amazon
Router 1.5HP plunge router with bits $80-150 $200-400
Harbor Freight Amazon
Sanders Random orbital, belt, detail sanders $100-200 $250-500
Harbor Freight Amazon
Hand Tool Set Wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, measuring $100-200 $300-600
Harbor Freight Amazon
Workbench Heavy-duty workbench with storage $200-400 $500-1000
Build DIY Harbor Freight
Total Power Tools $690-1,370 $1,820-3,550

Electronics & Testing Equipment

Equipment Description Budget Price Premium Price Sources
Soldering Station Temperature controlled, ESD safe $50-100 $200-400
AliExpress Amazon
Hot Air Station SMD rework and heat shrink $60-120 $200-400
AliExpress Amazon
Multimeter Auto-ranging digital multimeter $30-60 $100-200
AliExpress Amazon
Oscilloscope 2-channel, 100MHz digital scope $200-400 $800-1500
Hantek Rigol
Power Supply Variable DC supply, 30V/10A $80-150 $200-400
AliExpress Amazon
Function Generator Signal generator for testing $100-200 $300-600
AliExpress Amazon
PCB Prototyping Breadboards, perfboard, components $50-100 $150-300
AliExpress Digikey
Total Electronics $570-1,130 $1,950-3,800

Software & Technology

Design & CAM Software

Software Purpose Budget Option Premium Option
CAD Software 3D modeling and design FreeCAD, Fusion 360 Personal ($0) SolidWorks ($4,000/year)
CAM Software CNC toolpath generation EstlCAM ($200), Fusion 360 Mastercam ($15,000+)
Slicer Software 3D print preparation Cura, PrusaSlicer (Free) Simplify3D ($150)
Vector Graphics Sign and vinyl cutting Inkscape (Free) Adobe Illustrator ($240/year)
Project Management Job tracking and quotes Trello (Free), Monday.com Custom ERP system
Total Software $200-400 $19,000+

Safety & Compliance Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment

Equipment Description Budget Price Premium Price Sources
Eye Protection Safety glasses, face shields $50-100 $150-300
Amazon Grainger
Hearing Protection Earplugs, noise-canceling headphones $30-60 $100-200
Amazon 3M
Respiratory Dust masks, respirators, filters $100-200 $300-600
Amazon Grainger
Hand Protection Cut-resistant, chemical, welding gloves $50-100 $150-300
Amazon Grainger
Body Protection Aprons, coveralls, steel-toe boots $100-200 $300-600
Amazon Local supplier
Total PPE $330-660 $1,000-2,000

Startup Material Inventory

Raw Materials (Initial Stock)

Material Category Description Budget Quantity Budget Cost Premium Cost
3D Printing Filaments PLA, PETG, ABS (10kg each) 30kg total $600-900 $1200-1800
Sheet Materials Plywood, MDF, acrylic, aluminum Starter pack $800-1200 $1500-2500
Metal Stock Steel bar, tube, angle, flat bar Basic inventory $500-800 $1000-1500
Fasteners Screws, bolts, nuts, washers Assorted bins $200-400 $500-800
Electronics Components Resistors, capacitors, connectors Starter kit $300-500 $800-1200
Consumables Sandpaper, cutting discs, welding wire 6-month supply $300-500 $600-1000
Vinyl & Printing Sign vinyl, transfer tape, inks Starter colors $400-600 $800-1200
Total Materials $3,100-4,900 $6,400-10,000

Budget Summary & Recommendations

Minimum Viable Setup

$17,030 - $27,670

Bootstrap approach with essential equipment only. Suitable for proof of concept and initial client work.

Recommended Hybrid

$35,000 - $45,000

Balanced capability and cost. Mix of budget and premium equipment for professional operation.

Professional Setup

$58,920 - $92,180

Full-service operation with premium equipment. Maximum capability and efficiency.

Phase 1 Priority Equipment (First $15,000)

  1. Basic 3D Printer Setup - $800
  2. Desktop CNC Router - $1,200
  3. MIG Welder & Basic Metal Tools - $1,500
  4. Vinyl Cutter & Printer - $1,000
  5. Essential Hand Tools - $1,000
  6. Electronics Workstation - $800
  7. Safety Equipment - $1,000
  8. Basic Materials Inventory - $2,000
  9. Workbenches & Storage - $1,500
  10. Air Compressor & Dust Collection - $1,200
  11. Computing Setup - $2,000
  12. Contingency/Shipping - $1,200

Cost-Saving Strategies

  • Buy Used Equipment: Check Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay
  • Group Purchases: Coordinate with other makers for bulk discounts
  • Seasonal Sales: Time purchases around Black Friday, Chinese New Year
  • DIY Where Possible: Build workbenches, storage, some tooling
  • Lease vs Buy: Consider leasing expensive equipment initially
  • Start Small: Begin with essential equipment, expand based on demand

This checklist provides a comprehensive foundation for establishing a cost-effective, tech-enabled manufacturing business. Prices are approximate and based on 2024 market research. Always verify current pricing and specifications before purchasing.

Last Updated: December 2024
Focus: Budget-conscious equipment selection for maximum value
Target: Small-scale manufacturing with growth potential

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