Services / 3D Printing

FDM 3D Printing

Engineering-driven production, from prototypes to functional end-use parts.

FDM Production Line

Technology

How Does FDM Work?

FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) produces parts by melting a thermoplastic filament and depositing it layer by layer. Knowing how the process works helps you understand what to expect from your part.

01Melting the MaterialA thermoplastic filament is brought to its melting temperature in the printer nozzle, becoming fluid and ready for production.

02Layer-by-Layer DepositionThe molten material is deposited layer by layer along a predefined path. The part's geometry is built up from bottom to top in this way.

03Support StructuresTemporary supports are printed under overhanging surfaces or surfaces beyond a certain angle. They are removed after production.

04Cooling and SolidificationEach layer partially cools and solidifies before the next one is laid on top. This cooling behaviour directly affects layer adhesion and dimensional stability.

Process

From Your File to Your Part

A CAD file that reaches us goes through the steps below until delivery. We stay in touch at every step, and your approval is requested for critical decisions such as material, tolerance and surface quality.

File ReviewYour CAD file or technical drawing is reviewed for manufacturability.

Manufacturability CheckCriteria such as wall thickness, support needs and print orientation are evaluated. Design suggestions are made where needed.

Material and Parameter SelectionThe material is chosen according to the part's operating conditions. Production parameters such as infill (how much of the part's interior is filled with material) and layer height are set accordingly.

SlicingThe model is split into layers in the slicing software and the toolpath is generated.

ProductionThe part is printed layer by layer with the defined parameters and monitored throughout.

Post-ProcessingSupports are removed and surface finishing is applied if required.

Inspection and DeliveryThe part is checked against the requested dimensions and tolerances, then delivered.

Production Capability

Technical Infrastructure

An overview of our FDM production capabilities — we evaluate your part's size and material needs against this infrastructure together.

PrecisionProduction precision up to 0.1 mm

Build Volume340 × 320 × 340 mm (larger parts can be produced in sections)

Machine ParkParallel production on 15+ machines

Materials10+ materials — standard and engineering-grade filaments

Lead Time1–2 business days for prototypes and 1–2 piece orders

QuantityFrom a single prototype to series production

Post-ProcessingSanding, painting, threaded inserts and similar

Lead Times

When Will Your Part Be Ready?

Lead time depends on quantity, part size and additional operations. The exact date is given with the quote.

Job TypeTypical TimeDetails

Prototype and 1–2 pieces

Typical Time1–2 business days

DetailsFor standard-sized parts, usually delivered within 1–2 business days after file approval.

Series production

Typical TimePlanned by quantity

DetailsA production plan is made based on quantity, part size and material, and the delivery date is given with the quote.

Custom jobs

Typical TimeAgreed together

DetailsFor jobs involving design, sectioned production or extensive post-processing, lead time is agreed according to the project scope.

Material Selection

Material Chosen by the Part's Requirements

What the part needs matters more than a material name. Criteria such as mechanical load, temperature and chemical exposure are evaluated to choose the right material together.

Mechanical Strength

Temperature Resistance

Chemical Resistance

Low Density

Carbon Fibre Reinforcement

Glass Fibre Reinforcement

Flame-Retardant Properties

Choosing the right material is as important as producing the part.

Design Guide

How Should Your Part Be Prepared for Production?

These are the key points to consider when designing a part for FDM. If your design doesn't meet them yet, we can review it together before production.

01Wall ThicknessWalls that are too thin can weaken layer adhesion, while unnecessarily thick areas waste material and print time. The right wall thickness is set at the design stage based on the load the part will carry.

02Print OrientationThe direction in which a part is printed determines the direction of its layer lines and therefore its mechanical strength. Load-bearing surfaces are evaluated against layer direction when choosing orientation.

03Support RequirementsOverhangs beyond a certain angle usually need supports. The design can often be optimised to reduce supports, improving both surface quality and print time.

04TolerancesSnap-fit or press-fit connections need a defined clearance. Overly tight tolerances can require extra post-processing, so tolerance expectations are clarified up front.

05Corner and Hole GeometrySharp internal corners can concentrate stress. Rounded transitions increase strength, especially in load-bearing parts.

06Layer Lines and Surface QualityLayer lines are visible on the surface of FDM parts. Where appearance matters, post-processing options can be considered together.

Post-Processing

What We Can Do After Printing

Once the part comes off the machine, the following additional operations can be applied depending on its use.

01Sanding and Surface FinishingWhere visible layer lines are not wanted, the surface is sanded for a smoother appearance.

02PaintingPaint is applied to parts that need visual consistency or must match a corporate colour. Filaments are also available in different colours.

03Threaded InsertsFor screw connections that will be assembled and disassembled often, metal threaded inserts are installed instead of tapping threads directly into the plastic. This significantly increases the connection's life and clamping strength.

04Sectioned Production and JoiningParts larger than the build volume are printed in sections and joined. On request, the joints are filled and painted to give a one-piece appearance.

Pricing

What Determines the Price?

Every part is different, so we don't have a fixed price list — but the factors that set the price are clear. Quotes are free of charge.

01Amount of Material (Weight)The biggest price factor is the weight of material used in the part, which is determined directly by its volume, wall thickness and infill. Engineering-grade materials cost more than standard filaments.

02Quality Settings and Print TimeThinner layers give a smoother surface and finer detail but increase print time. As the quality level goes up, machine time — and therefore cost — goes up too, so the quality level is set together according to the part's use.

03QuantityAs quantity increases, machines can run in parallel, lowering the set-up cost per unit.

04Post-ProcessingAdditional operations such as sanding, painting, inserts or joining sectioned parts are reflected in the price according to labour time.

Applications