Frequently Asked Questions
Our 3D printing services team are able to produce 3D prints in a range of different materials across a variety of 3D printing technologies to a maximum print volume of 1m³.
The minimum charge for a 3D print service is $150 and lead times range from overnight to several weeks dependent on size of print and machine availability.
We charge for 3D printed models based on a formula that takes into consideration build time, setup and labour time. For data that contains errors there may be an additional charge for the time required to repair the file for printing.
You can request an official quotation by sending us a STL (Stereolithography) file to [email protected] so that we can identify your requirements and check the suitability of the parts for 3D printing.
You can print almost any 3D object using 3D printing technology, but some techniques are more suited to some shapes than others. Not all parts are suitable for printing. If you are unsure, send us an stl file and we will be happy to assess it for you. There are some important things to take into consideration when 3D printing:
- What is the end use of the prototype?
- Do you require specific material properties/characteristics?
- Does the part(s) need support structures for overhanging surfaces?
- What orientation is required for the part you’re building?
We can provide prototyping services in a range of materials and 3D printing technologies, as well as 3D printing consultancy to determine the best technology and materials for your application. If you need a prototype not suited to FFF or SLA let us know and we can help with other 3D print technologies.
Depending on the material required we can provide printed prototypes up to a size of 1m³ (in FFF) or 33.5 x 20 x 30 cm / 13.2 x 7.9 x 11.8 in (in SLA). *Multiple parts can be bonded together post production, but this is not a service we currently provide.
3D printing is one of the fastest ways to prototype physical objects, but it is not instant. Build times can take days to print for larger models, plus additional time for pre and post processing. Specifying your deadline is one of the best ways for our 3D printing services team to prioritise your work and ensure delivery for a time suited to you.
All you need is a CAD model of your part and this will need to be saved as a *.stl file, which is the standard file format for 3D printing.