3D PEOPLE FOR SERIAL PRODUCTION

A fast and cost-effective manufacturing solution.

Get thousands of parts within days, made in our UK additive manufacturing facility using industrial-grade materials and finished to the highest standards. Our ISO-certified process ensures consistent quality and on-time delivery.

 

Why Businesses Choose Additive Manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (manufacturing using industrial 3D printers) offers a revolutionary approach to serial production. Here’s why businesses are adopting additive for production:

Cost Savings:

Eliminate the need for expensive tooling setup and moulds, making low-volume production runs affordable.

Design Alterations:

Make slight design changes after production has begun or between batches without any additional charge.

Rapid Turnaround:

Start production immediately using additive to produce parts directly from digital models, eliminating tooling and moulds.

Mass Customisation:

Easily customise each part without additional costs, ideal for serialisation or personalised products.

Design Freedom:

Use 3D printing to manufacture complex parts that are expensive or impossible to make any other way.

Call-off Orders:

Benefit from call-off orders, receiving large quantity orders in smaller, manageable batches as they are produced.

 

No Minimum Order Quantities

ISO 9001 Certified Process

Made in our UK Factory

Pay Later with a Credit Account

Additive Manufacturing is ideal for

Certain manufacturing projects are naturally more aligned with the benefits of additive manufacturing. In the context of serial production, projects exhibiting the following characteristics typically yield the most cost-effective and efficient results:

Small Sized Components

Additive manufacturing excels in producing small, intricate parts with high precision and fine detail, making it an excellent choice for projects requiring compact and complex components.

Low Number of Units

For projects with lower production volumes, additive manufacturing offers cost-effective and efficient solutions without the need for expensive molds or tooling, providing flexibility and reducing lead times.

Urgent Demand

Additive manufacturing significantly reduces production time, allowing for rapid turnaround and delivery, making it ideal for projects with tight deadlines and urgent needs.

Four Steps to Your Manufacturing Success

Step 1: Initial Consultation

Meet with one of our Additive Manufacturing Specialists to discuss your project requirements, goals, and timelines. We will gather all the necessary information to understand your specific needs and provide expert advice on the best approach for your project.

☑️ Meet with an Additive Manufacturing Specialist

☑️ Discuss project requirements, goals, and timelines

☑️ Receive expert advice on the best approach

Step 2. Produce Samples

Submit your 3D design files for review. We will create a sample to verify that your design and our production methods are suitable for your application. Once approved, we provide a detailed quote based on the final design, manufacturing specifications, production volume, and lead time.

☑️ Create samples identical to final production parts

☑️ Test material finishes and production methods

☑️ Finalise quote for production

Step 3. Additive Production

After placing your order, we start production using our industrial 3D printers. Our UK-based facility handles production volumes efficiently using advanced software and equipment. Quality checks are conducted throughout the process to ensure timely delivery and ensure quality.

☑️ Order by card or with a credit account

☑️ Use top-of-the-range industrial machinery

☑️ Made in the UK

Step 4. Quality Inspection

Before dispatch, each order undergoes thorough quality checks to ensure it meets your specifications and our quality standards. We perform detailed inspections to verify dimensions, surface finish, and overall quality. Once complete, your order is packaged and ready for delivery.

☑️ Conduct thorough quality checks post-production

☑️ Verify dimensions, surface finish, and overall quality

☑️ Ready for delivery

Success Stories

Bespoke Packaging Machinery Integration

Mount Packaging used MJF 3D printing to create modular components for integrating equipment in custom packaging lines. This solution improved efficiency, reducing costs.

See Success Story →

Custom Enclosures for Security Systems

MarineGuard used additive manufacturing to create bespoke enclosures for marine security systems, enhancing system performance and customer satisfaction.

See Success Story →

GPS Tracker Cases for Sports Action Analytics

CourseTrack used SLS 3D printing to produce a small batch of protective cases for specialist GPS trackers. This approach saved costs and ensured high performance.

See Success Story →

Volume CONSIDERATIONS FOR 3D PRINTING

The cost-effectiveness of 3D printing depends on part size, design complexity, and production volume.

Intricate or small components remain cost-effective up to thousands of units. However, larger parts may become uneconomical after just a few dozen or hundreds of units.

The adjacent graph illustrates the cost dynamics between injection moulding and 3D printing based on production volume.

Popular materials Used for Additive production:

MATERIAL

PA12 Nylon (SLS)

+ Vibro Polishing

This robust thermoplastic delivers excellent mechanical properties and a smooth surface. Vibro Polish results in a smooth, white base that can be dyed in various colours, perfect for distinguished end-use components.

 

MATERIAL

PA12 Nylon (MJF)

+ Vapour Smoothing

This resilient thermoplastic offers outstanding mechanical properties, enhanced by Vapour Smoothing. The process yields a smooth, sealed surface with a deep black finish, achieving a quality close to injection moulding.

 

Industry Insights

Customisation with Additive Manufacturing

Explore how additive manufacturing enables mass customisation, allowing businesses to produce unique, personalised products at scale without additional costs.

See Blog Post →

Comparing Manufacturing Processes

Compare three major manufacturing processes, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each to help you determine the best approach for your needs.

See Blog Post →

Lead Times and Additive Manufacturing

Understand how additive manufacturing can reduce lead times in production. Examine the benefits and limitations of 3D printing for faster project completion.

See Blog Post →

 LOW VOLUME & BATCH MANUFACTURING FAQ

+ Do you offer volume discounts for 3D printing?

Yes, we provide tiered volume discounts. These are automatically applied in our Online Quote Tool when ordering two or more of the same file. The discounts are:

  • 5% for 2+ units
  • 10% for 10+ units
  • 15% for 50+ units
  • 20% for 100+ units
  • 30% for 250+ units
  • 35% for 1000+ units

+ Can I order a sample before proceeding with a 3D printing production run?

Certainly, before proceeding with a batch production run of 3D printed parts, we recommend ordering a sample print to verify the manufacturing process is suitable for your application. We offer refunds for the sampling cost after receiving a batch order. Refundable samples apply to orders that exceed a value of £1000. To claim the refund, email us with the order details, and we will refund the cost of your sample.

+ Is 3D printing more cost-effective than injection moulding?

3D printing is typically more cost-effective for lower volume orders, as there are no start-up costs. In contrast, injection moulding becomes more affordable for higher quantities despite the large initial investment required to create the tooling.

+ What materials do you recommend for 3D printing production runs?

For low-volume production runs, we recommend PA12 Nylon (SLS) for smaller components and PA12 Nylon (MJF) for medium-sized parts.

+ Can I modify the design after the 3D printed production has begun?

One of the advantages of 3D printing is its flexibility. While we can't replace parts that are already manufactured, you can adjust your design at no extra charge, and we can utilise the updated design for subsequent units.

+ Is 3D printing suitable for mass production?

3D printing is chosen for mass production when the product requires unique manufacturing attributes that only this technology can provide, such as intricate designs or bespoke, custom-made orders. For example, products like Adidas Futurecraft or Invisalign aligners.

+ How is 3D printing employed in manufacturing?

3D printing offers a plethora of advantages in the manufacturing realm:

  • Low volume production: This is cost-effective, especially for smaller components, as it avoids the large upfront costs associated with other manufacturing methods.

  • Rapid production: 3D printing can meet urgent demand, without the need forcomplex design for manufacture preparations or tool setups.

  • Design complexity: 3D printing can produce designs that are impossible or fabricate with other manufacturing methods.

  • Customisation: 3D printing is ideal for producing custom, made-to-order parts.

  • Efficiency: Manufacturers use 3D printing to create tools, jigs, and fixtures that enhance the production line's efficiency.