Functional parts, produced directly from your CAD design.
Industrial 3D printing builds a part by adding material layer by layer from a 3D CAD file, rather than removing material from a block or forming it in a mould. For engineering and product teams, that means a functional part can be produced directly from a digital design, often without the tooling and lead time that traditional manufacturing methods call for.
Industrial 3D printing is well suited to a range of use cases: functional prototypes that need to perform like the final part, not just look like it; custom components produced in low volumes where dedicated tooling wouldn't be justified; and jigs, fixtures and other production aids built to fit a specific process or workstation. In each case, the part is evaluated against its intended use before we recommend a process.
We work with three core additive manufacturing processes, each suited to different requirements. FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) builds parts from thermoplastic filament and is a practical choice for functional prototypes and durable components. SLA (Stereolithography) cures liquid resin with light to produce parts with fine detail and a smooth surface finish. SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) sinters powdered material into strong, functional parts without needing support structures. Which process fits a given part depends on its geometry, mechanical requirements and finish expectations.
The right material depends on how a part will actually be used — the loads it needs to carry, the environment it will sit in, and how long it needs to last. A part that only needs to demonstrate geometry calls for a different material than one that will be handled repeatedly on a shop floor or exposed to heat or chemicals in service. We work through these requirements with each project, drawing on the range of materials available across our FDM, SLA and SLS processes. See our materials overview for more on the options available.
Not every design translates directly into a printable part. Wall thickness, overhangs, orientation and feature sizing all affect how reliably a part prints and how it performs afterwards. Where a design can be adjusted to print more consistently without compromising its function, we raise it before production begins — see our Design for Additive Manufacturing guidance for more on this approach.
A typical project starts with a design review of the CAD file you submit, followed by process and material selection based on the part's function. Once printing is complete, parts go through post-processing appropriate to the process used — support removal, cleaning or finishing — before a final check against the original design intent. For projects that need more than one part, we plan the build around the same process and material decisions so that each part is produced consistently against the same design.
Every project we take on is reviewed by our engineering team before it goes into production. We look at a part's application alongside its geometry, so the process and material we recommend are chosen for how the part will actually be used, not just how the file happens to be submitted.
Share your CAD file or project requirement and our engineering team will recommend the right process and material for your application.