At a glance

Lifecycle Lead Time FDM Print Size Materials
Early stage prototyping As fast as 1 day FDM bed size to
914mm x 610mm x 914mm
ABS , ABS – M30i , ABS ESD , ASA , Nylon 12 , Nylon 6 , PC-ISO , PC+ABS , PETG , Polycarbonate (PC) , Ultem 1010 , Ultem 9085 ,

3D Printing Materials

ABS

ABS is a durable plastic material well-suited for mechanical strength and early-stage rough prototypes. It provides a cost-effective solution for initial prototyping needs, and with post-processing, it can achieve a smoother surface finish compared to PLA.

Process: FDM 3D printing

Colors: Black, Blue, Neutral, Red, White

Resolution: 0.25 mm

Max Print Size: 914 x 609 x 914 mm

ABS – M30i

ABS thermoplastic is specially designed for medical applications, providing both durability and biocompatibility. It is commonly used for manufacturing medical instruments and devices.

Manufacturing Process: FDM

Finish: Ivory (previously referred to as natural)

Layer Resolution: 0.25 mm

Maximum Print Size: 914 x 609 x 914 mm

ABS ESD

FDM ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) is a high-performance styrenic polymer enhanced with a carbon black nanotube additive, ensuring effective electrostatic discharge dissipation. It also offers superior thermal conductivity, along with excellent mechanical properties such as wear resistance, stress resistance, and a dust-free surface by minimizing static buildup.

Manufacturing Process: FDM

Available Color: Black

Layer Resolution: 0.2 mm

Maximum Print Size: 914 x 609 x 914 mm

ASA

FDM ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is a versatile thermoplastic ideal for general use. While similar to ABS, it provides three key advantages: improved mechanical properties, enhanced visual appeal, and superior UV resistance, making it suitable for outdoor applications.

Manufacturing Process: FDM

Available Colors: Black, Grey, Natural, White

Material Benefits: Shares a similar chemical composition with ABS but offers better strength, aesthetics, and UV resistance

Maximum Print Size: 914 x 609 x 914 mm

Nylon 12

Manufacturing Process: FDM

Available Finish: Black

Layer Resolution: 0.2 mm

Maximum Build Size: 914 x 609 x 914 mm

Nylon 6

Manufacturing Method: FDM

Available Color: Dark Grey

Layer Thickness: 0.2 mm

Maximum Build Dimensions: 914 x 610 x 914 mm

PC-ISO

This polycarbonate-based material is engineered for medical and healthcare applications that require sterilization. It offers excellent strength and durability while maintaining biocompatibility, making it ideal for medical tools and device enclosures.

Process: FDM

Finishing: White

Resolution: 0.2 mm

Max Print Size: 914 x 609 x 914 mm

PC+ABS

FDM PC-ABS (Polycarbonate-Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a specialized thermoplastic that combines the durability and impact resistance of ABS with the high heat resistance of PC. This material is ideal for applications requiring both strength and heat tolerance.

Process: FDM

Colors: Black, White

Applications: Functional prototypes, durable tools, and production components

Material Overview: Offers the heat resistance of polycarbonate along with the flexibility of ABS

Maximum Print Size: 914 x 609 x 914 mm

PETG

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) is an excellent 3D printing material for creating functional prototypes in the early stages of development. It combines the affordability of PLA with the performance characteristics of ABS. While it may not be the best choice for visually-focused projects, it is known for its high impact resistance, low shrinkage, resistance to warping, and high heat deflection temperature.

Process: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

Colors: Black, White, Neutral

Resolution: 0.2 mm

Max Print Size: 300 x 300 x 400 mm

Polycarbonate (PC)

FDM PC (Polycarbonate) is a reliable material widely used for various applications, providing excellent dimensional stability, heat resistance, and strong impact resistance. With its high stiffness, it retains its shape well and is ideal for durable applications, making it suitable for industrial use or functional testing.

Process: FDM

Colors: Black, White

Resolution: 0.2 mm

Max Print Size: 914 x 609 x 914 mm

Ultem 1010

This material shares similarities with Ultem 9085, offering exceptional heat and chemical resistance. It is commonly used in industries that demand strong, durable parts capable of withstanding high temperatures.

Process: FDM

Finishing: Amber

Resolution: 0.25 mm

Max Print Size: 914 x 609 x 914 mm

Ultem 9085

Process: FDM

Finishing: Tan and Black

Resolution: 0.25 mm

Max Print Size: 914 x 609 x 914 mm

Design Recommendations

Max Part Size Min Feature Size Tolerance Min Wall Thickness Min Hole Diameter Min Gaps for Mating Parts
ABS / ABS ESD / Polycarbonate (PC) / PC+ABS:
500 x 500 x 500 mm 1 mm

+/- 0.5 mm or +/- 1% per inch 1 mm 1 mm 0.1 mm minimum; 0.2 mm to ensure fit
PLA / PET-G / ASA:
300 x 300 x 400 mm 1 mm

+/- 0.5 mm or +/- 1% per inch 1 mm 1 mm 0.1 mm minimum; 0.2 mm to ensure fit

Design for Manufacturing Tips

Avoid internal cavities in your designs.

  • Minimize the use of curved surfaces, particularly for PLA and PET-G, as these materials perform better with flat surfaces for successful prints.
  • The orientation of small holes is crucial; printing in the XY plane is better for cylindrical features.
  • For bridging, distances up to 10 mm generally don’t require support material, as long as the area being printed has adequate support on both sides.

Cost Saving Tips

  • Break large models into smaller parts to fit on smaller, less costly machines.
  • Optimize part orientations to reduce the amount of support material needed for overhangs.
  • Use PLA for simple geometries and where tight tolerance isn’t a priority.

About the Process

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a 3D printing method, also known as additive manufacturing, widely used for modeling, prototyping, and production purposes. In this process, material is extruded through a nozzle, layer by layer, to form 3D objects.

Since FDM requires support material—either breakaway or soluble—it’s important to consider this when selecting the process, as it can impact the final quality of the part.