3D printing Manufacturers online

3D printing is a process in which material is applied layer by layer until the complete object is finished, making it possible to create real, three-dimensional objects.

In contrast to traditional manufacturing processes such as milling or drilling (subtractive), the workpiece is created additively, i.e. by adding material.

Below you will find the process, the different types and areas of application of 3D printing, its advantages and a look into the future of 3D printing:

The 3D printing process:

1. First, a digital model of the desired object is created, e.g. in CAD software or by 3D scanning.
2. The model is broken down into fine slices.
3. The 3D printer follows this layer data and applies material, plastic, metal, resin, ceramic, etc., layer by layer or hardens it precisely.
4. Once printing is complete, the object is removed, cleaned and, if necessary, reworked, e.g. polishing, hardening, removal of support structures.

Types of 3D printing processes:

There are several 3D printing technologies that differ in terms of material, accuracy and construction method:

1. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM):
   The most widely used process. A plastic filament is heated and applied layer by layer through a fine nozzle.
   Popular for prototypes and home use.
2. Stereolithography (SLA):
   A UV laser cures liquid resin (photopolymer) layer by layer.
   Very precise and ideal for detailed models or jewelry.
3. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS):
   Powdered material (usually nylon) is selectively fused with a laser.
   No support structures are required as the powder supports the object during printing.
   This process is often used in industry.
4. Selective Laser Melting (SLM) / Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS):
   Here, metal powder is melted with a laser.
   This allows stable metal parts to be produced, e.g. for aviation or medical technology.
5. Material Jetting:
   Droplets of liquid material are precisely applied and then cured.
   Good for very fine details and multi-colored objects.
6. Binder jetting:
   A binder is applied to a powder bed and solidifies layer by layer.
   The part is then often sintered or infiltrated.
   Ideal for sand molds or low-cost metal parts.
7. Laminated object manufacturing (LOM):
   Thin layers of material, e.g. paper or plastic, are placed on top of each other, glued together and cut out.
   A less common but simple technique.

Areas of application for 3D printing:

3D printing is now used in many industries:

1. Prototyping:
Rapid production of models for design testing.

2. Medicine:
Customized prosthetics, implants, dental models and even bioprinting of tissue.

3. Aerospace:
Lightweight, strong metal parts that are difficult to manufacture using conventional methods.

4. Automotive industry:
Functional prototypes, spare parts and complex components.

5. Architecture and construction:
Models, molded parts or even houses made of concrete.

6. Consumer goods and jewelry:
Individualized products, unique items or small series.

7. Education:
Pupils and students can create models for teaching and research.

Advantages of 3D printing:

3D printing has several advantages over traditional manufacturing techniques:

• Freedom of design: complex geometries and structures that are impossible or very costly to produce conventionally become possible.
• Individual production: Each piece can be unique and adapted to customer requirements (mass customization).
• Speed: prototypes or spare parts can often be produced in hours instead of weeks.
• Cost reduction for small series: Expensive mold making is no longer necessary, especially for one-offs or small batches.
• Material efficiency: Less waste is produced as material is only applied where it is needed.
• Decentralized production: parts can be produced locally without long supply chains.

Looking to the future of 3D printing:

3D printing is evolving: new materials, faster printing processes, larger build volumes and even printing living cells. This means that the potential is growing from prototype production to fully-fledged industrial series production.

The strength of 3D printing lies in its design freedom, individualization and speed, especially for individual items and small series. While traditional processes such as injection molding or milling are often cheaper for mass-produced parts, 3D printing scores highly where flexibility, complexity and short development times are required. With new materials and processes, it is also becoming increasingly interesting for series production and high-quality end products - and is therefore a key component of the industrial future.

Here are the most important aspects to consider when commissioning 3D printing:

Purchasing 3D prints is fundamentally different from purchasing traditional parts or components. While traditional processes such as injection moulding are dominated by standardized norms and well-established supply chains, additive manufacturing requires a precise understanding of materials, tolerances, post-processing and supplier expertise. Errors in selection quickly lead to quality problems, additional costs or delays. A structured approach is therefore crucial.

• Your own requirements must be clearly defined before you request quotations:
• Geometry and complexity: is a printable 3D model available (STL, STEP etc.)? Is it optimized for the desired printing process?
• Function and load: Does the part only have to serve as a prototype or will it have to withstand high mechanical loads later on?
• Tolerances and surface quality: What accuracy is absolutely necessary? Does the part need a smooth surface, or is a standard quality sufficient?
• Not every process is suitable for every application. You should make specific enquiries when purchasing:
• Whether the part will be manufactured using FDM, SLA, SLS, SLM/DMLS or another process.
• What size is possible (build volume).
• Whether the process requires support structures and how these are post-processed.
• A professional service provider should be able to advise which process is optimal for the requirements.
• The choice of material is crucial for strength, temperature resistance, weight and durability.
• Plastics: PLA, ABS, nylon, polycarbonate, high-performance polymers.
• Metals: aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, Inconel.
• Special materials: Ceramics, composites, flexible resins.
• Important: For critical applications, e.g. aviation, medical technology, material batches and certificates must be available.
• The process often does not end with printing:
• Support structure removal, grinding, polishing, painting, coating, heat or chemical treatments.
• Purchasing should clarify which post-processing is included in the price and which is charged additionally.
• Professional suppliers can provide dimensional inspection reports, 3D scans, tensile tests or other tests on request.
• Test certificates are mandatory for safety-relevant parts. Traceability (batch numbers, documentation) is also important.
• Additive manufacturing is fast, but delivery times can vary depending on capacity utilization and post-processing.
• Agree realistic time frames.
• Check express options.
• Clarify whether the provider can scale reliably for series production.
• 3D printing costs are made up of several factors: Material, machine time, post-processing, testing.
• Obtain comparative offers.
• Watch out for hidden costs! E.g. support removal, data preparation.
• Ask for prices per piece and for series.
• A good supplier is not just a "printer", but a consultant. He supports with:
• Optimization of CAD data.
• Selection of material and process.
• Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM).
• Experience, references and certifications, e.g. ISO 9001, aviation standards are strong indicators.
• For sensitive design data, it is important that the provider signs non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and guarantees data security.
• More and more companies are paying attention to environmental aspects:
• Origin and recyclability of materials.
• Energy efficiency of production.
• Disposal of waste (e.g. excess powder).
• Legal regulations (e.g. REACH, RoHS) must also be complied with.

Purchasing 3D prints requires a good understanding of technical requirements, process selection, material properties and supplier quality. Those who carefully examine and select suppliers reduce risks, save costs and receive components that impress in terms of function, quality and scheduling. 3D printing is not a "one-size-fits-all" service - success depends to a large extent on purchasing and service providers working together transparently and in partnership.

3D prints can be ordered from various providers. You can find comprehensive information on 3D printing providers from all over the world at Exportpages.