| Material | Tensile Strength | Stiffness (Modulus) | Heat Resistance | Elongation / Flexibility |
|
| PLA | 50–70 MPa | Medium | 60–65°C | Low |
|
| ABS | 40–50 MPa | Medium | 90–100°C | Medium |
|
| PETG | 50–55 MPa | Medium | 75–80°C | Medium |
|
| Nylon (PA12) | 55–75 MPa | High | 120–150°C | High |
|
| TPU / TPE | 20–35 MPa | Low | 60–80°C | Very High |
|
| Aluminum (Metal) | 250–350 MPa | High | 200–250°C | Low |
|
| Stainless Steel | 500–700 MPa | Very High | 500–600°C | Low |
|
| Titanium | 900–1100 MPa | Very High | 600–700°C | Low |
|
| Technology | Material Compatibility | Layer Resolution | Typical Tolerance | Max Build Size (X×Y×Z) | Min Feature Size | Surface Finish Options | Post-Processing | Notes |
| FDM | PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU | 50–300 μm | ±0.3–0.5 mm | 300 × 300 × 400 mm | 0.4 mm | As printed, Polishing, Vapor smoothing | Optional sanding, coating | Economical, suitable for large prototypes |
| SLA | Standard & engineering resins | 25–100 μm | ±0.1–0.2 mm | 145 × 145 × 175 mm | 0.3 mm | Ultra-smooth, Polishing | Minimal sanding | High detail, small parts, precise features |
| SLS | Nylon (PA12), TPU, composite powders | 60–150 μm | ±0.2–0.3 mm | 380 × 380 × 380 mm | 0.5 mm | Slightly rough, bead blasting | Optional bead blasting | Strong, durable, functional parts |
| MJF | Nylon, TPU | 80–120 μm | ±0.15–0.25 mm | 380 × 380 × 380 mm | 0.4 mm | Smooth & uniform | Optional bead blasting | Industrial-grade repeatability |
| PolyJet | Photopolymers | 16–32 μm | ±0.05–0.15 mm | 490 × 390 × 200 mm | 0.1 mm | Ultra-smooth, Full-color | Minimal sanding | Multi-material, high resolution |
| DMLS / SLM | Al, SS, Ti, CoCr | 20–40 μm | ±0.1–0.2 mm | 250 × 250 × 325 mm | 0.2 mm | Metallic finish, Post-machining | Polishing, machining | Fully dense metal parts, high strength |
Compatible with: FDM / SLA
Compatible with: SLA
Controlled UV curing enhances mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and thermal performance by fully polymerizing printed resin parts.
Compatible with: FDM / SLA / SLS / MJF
Progressive sanding and polishing reduce layer lines, smooth edges, and improve surface consistency for functional and aesthetic components.
Compatible with: SLS / MJF
Fine abrasive blasting removes residual powder and produces a uniform matte surface finish without affecting dimensional accuracy.
Compatible with: SLA (selected resins)
Chemical vapor smoothing improves surface clarity and transparency, commonly used for optical, cosmetic, or display-grade parts.
Compatible with: SLS / MJF
Compatible with: FDM / SLA / SLS / MJF
Cosmetic painting and protective coatings enhance appearance, UV resistance, and environmental durability for end-use or presentation parts.
Compatible with: SLS / MJF
Batch finishing process that smooths edges and surfaces, ideal for high-volume production of small functional components.
Compatible with: FDM / SLS / MJF
Post-machining improves flatness, hole precision, threads, and critical mating surfaces where tight tolerances are required.
Surface finishing options are selected based on printing technology, material performance, functional requirements, and cosmetic expectations to ensure optimal results for both prototypes and production parts.
| Design Rule | Recommendation | Notes & Tips |
| Minimum Wall Thickness | 0.8–1.2 mm (varies by technology & material) | Ensure walls are strong enough to print without warping; thicker walls increase stability. |
| Minimum Hole Size | ≥ 0.5 mm for SLA/FDM, ≥ 1 mm for SLS/MJF | Small holes may require post-processing; round holes print more reliably than square. |
| Overhangs | Max 45° without support | Steeper angles require support structures; consider reorienting parts to minimize supports. |
| Feature Spacing | At least 1 mm between features | Prevents fusing of close features and ensures dimensional accuracy. |
| Surface Finish Expectations | Ra 0.2–0.4 μm for SLA, Ra 0.3–0.6 μm for FDM/SLS | Post-processing can improve surface finish; plan for sanding, polishing, or coating if needed. |
| Tolerance Rules | ±0.1–0.3 mm for SLA, ±0.2–0.5 mm for FDM/SLS | Consider part shrinkage and layer resolution; use engineering fit guidelines for mating parts. |
| Reinforcement Suggestions | Add ribs or fillets for thin or tall features | Improves structural strength and reduces warping or breakage during printing. |
| Feature / Criteria | 3D Printing | CNC Machining | Injection Molding |
| Best For | Rapid prototyping, complex geometries, small batches | Precision parts, functional prototypes, medium production | High-volume production, consistent parts |
| Materials | Plastics, resins, metals, composites | Metals, plastics, engineering plastics | Thermoplastics, elastomers |
| Dimensional Accuracy | ±0.1–0.3 mm (depending on technology) | ±0.005–0.02 mm | ±0.05–0.2 mm |
| Surface Finish | Ra 0.2–0.6 μm (may require post-processing) | Ra 0.2–0.8 μm | Smooth, often requires little post-processing |
| Complexity / Design Freedom | Very high, supports internal channels and lattice structures | Moderate, limited by tooling | Low–moderate, requires mold design |
| Lead Time | Fast for single/low-volume parts | Medium, depends on setup and machining | Long initial lead time due to mold creation |
| Cost Efficiency | Cost-effective for low-volume & prototypes | Moderate for low-to-medium volumes | Highly cost-effective for high-volume production |
| Strength & Mechanical Properties | Varies by material; engineering plastics and metal printing provide functional strength | Excellent for metals & engineering plastics | Good for thermoplastics; limited for high-strength metals |
| Customization / Iteration | Very easy; digital files can be updated quickly | Moderate; reprogramming and tooling adjustments needed | Difficult; mold modification required |
| Post-Processing | Often required (polishing, coating, support removal) | Optional depending on tolerance & finish | Usually minimal |
| Technology | Material | Typical Part Size | Price Range (USD) | Typical Lead Time | Notes |
| SLA | Standard resins | Small to medium | $20 – $150 | 2–5 business days | High-detail prototypes, presentation models |
| SLS | Nylon / Polyamide | Medium to large | $50 – $300 | 5–8 business days | Durable, functional parts; support-free design |
| MJF | Nylon / PA12 | Medium to large | $60 – $350 | 5–10 business days | Strong, repeatable parts suitable for low- to me |
| PolyJet | Photopolymers | Small to medium | $80 – $400 | 3–7 business days | Multi-material, full-color, high-resolution models |
| Metal (DMLS / SLM) | Stainless steel, Titanium | Small to medium | $200 – $1500 | 10–20 business days | Functional metal parts; includes post-processing, heat treatment, finishing |
If your project requires fast iteration, complex geometries, low tooling cost, or short lead times, 3D printing is often an ideal solution.
Our engineers can evaluate your design and recommend whether 3D printing, CNC machining, or molding is the most suitable manufacturing method.
Our quality control process includes material verification, print parameter validation, in-process inspection, and post-print dimensional checks.
For batch production, standardized process settings and inspection plans are used to ensure repeatable quality across all parts.