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Additive manufacturing

Six 3D printing technologies for different engineering needs

Upload an STL or STEP file and compare the process, material and lead-time options. Your price appears instantly, and our engineers check every order before it goes to production.

Upload a part and compare technologies Discuss your requirements
FDM manufacturing process example
FDM

FDM, fused filament

Priced on sliced print time: shells, infill and supports at your layer height.

Layer height
0.10 – 0.30 mm
Tolerance
±0.3 mm
Lead time
1–3 days

Materials: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, PA12, PC, TPU 95A, CF blends

Cheapest route for jigs, fixtures, housings and fit checks.

Quote FDM →Details
SLA manufacturing process example
SLA

SLA, resin stereolithography

Priced on resin volume and layer count, plus wash and UV cure.

Layer height
0.025 – 0.10 mm
Tolerance
±0.1 mm
Lead time
2–4 days

Materials: Standard, tough, high-temp, clear, castable, dental-grade

Fine detail, smooth cosmetic surfaces, master patterns.

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SLS manufacturing process example
SLS

SLS, laser sintered nylon

Priced on sintered volume, layer count and powder refresh rate.

Layer height
0.06 – 0.12 mm
Tolerance
±0.2 mm
Lead time
4–6 days

Materials: PA12, PA11 bio, PA12-GF, alumide, TPU 88A

Support-free complex geometry, living hinges, low-volume production.

Quote SLS →
MJF manufacturing process example
MJF

MJF. HP Multi Jet Fusion

Priced on fused powder volume, layer count and build packing.

Layer height
0.08 mm
Tolerance
±0.2 mm
Lead time
3–5 days

Materials: PA12, PA12-GF, PA11, TPU

Denser, more isotropic than SLS with faster turnaround on batches.

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DMLS manufacturing process example
DMLS

DMLS / SLM, metal laser melting

Priced on laser scan time per fused cm³, recoat time per layer, supports, plate removal and stress relief.

Layer height
0.02 – 0.06 mm
Tolerance
±0.1 mm (as-built)
Lead time
10–14 days

Materials: AlSi10Mg, 316L, 17-4 PH, Ti6Al4V, Inconel 718, maraging steel

Conformal cooling, lightweight brackets, flight and motorsport hardware.

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PolyJet manufacturing process example
PolyJet

PolyJet, multi-material jetting

Priced on jetted model resin plus support material at 16–28 µm layers.

Layer height
0.016 – 0.028 mm
Tolerance
±0.1 mm
Lead time
4–6 days

Materials: Vero rigid, VeroClear, Agilus30 rubber-like, Digital ABS, full colour

Overmould look-alikes, clear lenses, colour concept models.

Quote PolyJet →

Choosing a material

For a visual prototype, prioritise surface detail; for a working component, compare temperature, impact and flexibility. The same material can behave differently across printing processes.

PLA / PETG
Accessible filament options for quick iteration. Choose PETG when added toughness is needed.
Resin
Smooth surfaces and small features. Choose tough or high-temp grades for functional demands.
PA12 nylon
Tough powder-bed parts with complex geometry. Useful for functional clips and housings.
Metal
Complex, high-performance geometry at a higher cost. Consider when machining cannot make the feature.
Illustrative polymer printed parts with different colours and textures
Illustrative material and finish examples; final appearance depends on process and specification.

Choose the process around the part

01

Fit or appearance?

FDM is useful for quick fit checks; SLA captures small features and smoother surfaces. For a working part, check the chosen material's strength and temperature limits.

02

Complex or enclosed shapes?

Powder-bed processes such as SLS and MJF support intricate geometries without the same external support structures, but trapped powder still needs an exit path.

03

Drawing and orientation

Include mating dimensions, cosmetic faces and loading direction. These details help us review orientation, post-processing and the final tolerance with you.

From file to finished part

How your order moves forward

Start with your CAD
Nylon parts made by powder-bed 3D printing
01 / Specify

Start with the part file

Upload a STEP or STL, then set the process, material, quantity and finish. Add a drawing for critical fits, threads or surface requirements so the specification travels with the part.

Engineer comparing a machined component with its CAD model and technical drawing
02 / Price & pay

See your price, pay securely

Your price updates as you choose material, quantity and finish. Pay by card through Stripe; our engineers then check the order and contact you first if a dimension or feature needs clarification.

Finished metal and polymer parts checked and packed for dispatch
03 / Make & deliver

Follow the order through production

After payment, the job is assigned to a qualified supplier. Follow production in your account; when the parts are dispatched, the shipment record carries the tracking details.

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