SLA (stereolithography)
Curing liquid resin with a laser. Fine detail and smooth surfaces, suitable for visual models, fit-check parts and masters for vacuum casting.
Curing liquid resin with a laser. Fine detail and smooth surfaces, suitable for visual models, fit-check parts and masters for vacuum casting.
Fusing polymer powder such as PA12. Strong, functional parts without support structures, also for complex geometries and small batches.
Building with molten filament such as ABS, PETG, PC or PA. Cost-efficient for larger parts, jigs, fixtures and early concept models.
Metal printing from powder, such as aluminium, stainless steel or titanium. For complex metal parts, internal channels and lightweight structures.
3D printing suits prototypes, early functional tests and small batches where a mould or fixture does not pay off. Complex shapes, internal channels and integrated features that cannot be machined or cast can often be printed.
If the part will later be produced by another process, such as injection moulding or CNC machining, we state what a printed prototype does and does not test representatively. Where testing in the real series material is needed, we advise final-material prototyping.
Printed parts can be finished into a representative or ready-to-mount part: support removal, sanding, blasting, painting or dyeing, and fitting threaded inserts. On SLM parts, functional faces and holes can be CNC-machined after printing.
Finishing and assembly are organised in the same route. See surface finishing and assembly.
Lead time
For rapid prototyping we can often achieve a lead time of around 14 days, excluding shipping. The exact lead time depends on process, material, size, quantities and finish, and is always stated in the quotation.