Automotive prototyping & tooling

Protoinn srl
Italian technology and craftsmanship.

We manufacture automotive prototype body parts, sheet metal dies and low-volume steel and aluminum components, with full dimensional control.

Our clients →

Our story

Protoinn srl was founded in 2019 in Moncalieri (Turin, Italy) as the natural evolution of the long-standing expertise of L.I.T.L.A., a historical company established in 1952 and specialized in models and dies for automotive bodywork.

Over the years, Protoinn succeeded in combining the traditional skills of Italian panel beaters (battilastra) with modern design and production technologies, becoming a reference partner for the construction of prototypes and dies in steel and aluminum for the automotive sector.

Today the company covers an area of more than 11,000 m² and employs 16 skilled professionals specialized in building resin, steel and cast iron dies, assembly and welding jigs, as well as one-off and small-series hand-formed parts.

The combination of craftsmanship, precision and innovation allows Protoinn to provide tailored solutions that meet both technical and aesthetic requirements.

Cav. Giacomo Griffa forming the Cisitalia body

Cav. Giacomo Griffa working on the body of the iconic Cisitalia.

Origins in manual bodywork, models and tooling for coachbuilding.

Services

A complete workflow from feasibility to prototype production for steel and aluminum sheet metal, integrating digital engineering and traditional Italian craftsmanship.

Protoinn plant layout with production areas

Protoinn departments: design, die manufacturing, CNC milling, stamping, assembly/welding and dimensional inspection.

analysis

Feasibility and process analysis

Technical assessment of the part, material and process selection to optimize lead time and manufacturing costs.

cad/cam

CAD/CAM design and engineering

3D modelling of dies, fixtures, jigs and equipment with integrated CAD/CAM for seamless production.

simulation

Sheet metal forming simulations

FEM analysis and formability checks on steel and aluminum to minimize try-outs and rework.

3D scanning

3D reverse engineering and scanning

Acquisition with measuring arms and reconstruction of existing parts, models and tooling.

CNC

CNC milling

Machining of resin, steel and cast iron for dies, tooling, fixtures and prototype parts.

tooling

Tool fitting and polishing

Manual fitting, polishing and optimization of dies and tooling for accurate stamping results.

presses

Sheet metal stamping of steel and aluminum

Sheet metal stamping (steel/aluminum)

Prototype and low-volume production of body parts, also in high-strength materials.

hot forming

Hot forming of boron steel

Hot stamping with furnace up to 1000°C for special materials and structural components.

laser 2D/3D

Laser cutting (2D/3D)

2D and 5-axis laser cutting on steel and aluminum for fast and precise finishing.

finishing

Surface finishing and aesthetic revision

Manual rework of stamped or hand-formed parts to remove marks and improve aesthetic quality.

coachbuilding

Manual forming (coachbuilding)

Skilled panel beaters able to form unique parts entirely by hand in steel or aluminum.

jigs

Assembly and welding jigs

Design and build of fixtures, checking tools and jigs for joining subassemblies and formed parts.

metrology

Dimensional inspection and metrology

3D scanning and probing with metrology reports and full traceability of tooling and finished parts.

Clients

We support automotive manufacturers, styling centers and suppliers that require flexibility, short lead times and the capability to work both on steel and aluminum sheet metal.