What is 3D printing?

How does it work?

A 3D printer builds an object layer by layer. It melts a thin strand of plastic (called filament) and lays it down path by path, and each layer is usually about 0.2 mm thick, roughly the thickness of two sheets of paper. A few hundred such layers make a finished part.

This type of 3D printing is called FDM. It is the most popular, because it works well for practical items: holders, enclosures, organisers and parts made to measure.

How is a print made?

1. Design. Every print starts with a 3D model on a computer. We design it ourselves, improve an existing one or get a file from you.
2. Preparation. A special program slices the model into layers and works out where the nozzle should move, how much material to use and how long the print will take. We also calculate the price on this basis.
3. Printing. The printer works on its own, usually from several dozen minutes to a dozen or so hours, depending on the size and number of parts.
4. Finishing. We remove the print, take off the supports (temporary scaffolding under overhanging parts), check the dimensions and pack it.

What do we print with?

• PETG - our main material. Strong, slightly flexible, resistant to moisture and most household chemicals. Good for holders, mounts and things used every day.
• PLA - easy to print and very accurate, but it softens at around 55-60°C. Better not to leave it in a car in summer.
• ASA - resistant to sun, frost and rain. For things that will be used outdoors.
• TPU - flexible like rubber. For bumpers, seals, covers and anti-slip pads.

For specialised custom projects, at the customer's request, we also use other materials.

We choose the material to suit the purpose. If you are not sure which one to choose, tell us what the part will be used for - we will advise you.

What can be printed?

• Holders and mounts for specific devices, e.g. for a rack cabinet, a wall or under a desk.
• Organisers for tools, bits, cards and small items, made to fit a drawer, pegboard or shelf.
• Boxes, containers and enclosures made to measure.
• Things you cannot buy because nobody makes them: adapters, spacers, covers, caps.
• Prototypes and one-off pieces before you order something in a larger batch.

What does a finished print look like?

• You can see fine horizontal layer lines on the surface. Every FDM print looks like this - it is a feature of the technology, not a defect.
• The part is not solid inside. It has an internal grid (infill) that makes it light but still stiff. We choose the infill density to suit the load.
• A print is strongest along the layers and weakest when a force tries to pull them apart. That is why, when designing, we orient the part so that the layers work in the best direction.
• Dimensions may differ from the design by a few tenths of a millimetre. For parts that have to fit into something, we take this into account in the design.
• Each part is a single colour. Where supports were, the surface may be slightly matt or rough.

When does 3D printing make sense?

• When you need a single piece or a short run. There is no need to make an expensive mould as in factory production.
• When an item has to fit a specific device, place or size.
• When something is not available in shops, or a ready-made solution is too expensive or does not quite fit.

For thousands of identical pieces, factory production (injection moulding) is cheaper. For a few or a few dozen - 3D printing.

Have an idea?

If you have a 3D file, drop it into the calculator - you will instantly see an estimated price. If you only have an idea, or a photo and dimensions, write to us. We will design the part and tell you how much it will cost.