Technology Guide

The Technologies
Behind Every Part

We work with multiple additive manufacturing processes so we can match the right technology to your exact requirements — material, precision, volume, and budget.

Most Versatile

FDM Printing

Fused Deposition Modeling

FDM is the most widely used 3D printing process. A thermoplastic filament is heated and extruded through a precision nozzle, building the part layer by layer. It delivers strong, functional parts at a competitive cost and supports the widest range of engineering-grade materials.

From concept models and jigs to end-use production parts and enclosures, FDM covers the vast majority of industrial requirements. Large build volumes allow us to print oversized components in a single run.

Functional Prototypes Enclosures & Housings Jigs & Fixtures Production Parts Large Format
  • Widest material selection — PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, TPU, PEEK, Carbon Fiber
  • Largest build volume — suitable for big structural components
  • Excellent strength-to-cost ratio for functional parts
  • Fast turnaround on standard materials
  • Compatible with food-safe and medical-grade filaments
Layer Resolution
0.05 mm – 0.3 mm
Dimensional Accuracy
± 0.2 mm on standard parts
Materials
PLA · ABS · PETG · ASA · TPU · Nylon · PEEK · Carbon-Fiber fill · Wood fill · Metal fill
Best For
Structural parts, enclosures, large models, production runs
Surface Finish
Visible layer lines; can be sanded, primed, and painted
Build Volume
Up to 500 × 500 × 500 mm
Highest Detail

SLA & Resin Printing

Stereolithography / MSLA (Masked SLA)

SLA uses an ultraviolet laser — or in MSLA an LCD screen and UV array — to cure liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer. The result is a dimensionally accurate part with an extremely smooth surface finish and fine feature resolution that FDM cannot match.

Ideal for consumer products, dental and medical models, jewellery masters, and any application where aesthetics or tight tolerances matter. Post-cured resin parts can be painted, sanded, or clear-coated to a near-injection-mould quality.

Visual Models Dental & Medical Jewellery Masters Consumer Products High Detail
  • Ultra-fine feature resolution — down to 0.025 mm layer height
  • Glass-smooth surface finish straight off the printer
  • Excellent dimensional accuracy for tight-tolerance parts
  • Wide resin library — standard, flexible, castable, dental, engineering-grade
  • Ideal for parts where surface quality is critical
Layer Resolution
0.025 mm – 0.1 mm
Dimensional Accuracy
± 0.05 mm on fine features
Materials
Standard Resin · Tough Resin · Flexible Resin · Castable Resin · Dental Resin · ABS-like Resin
Best For
Detailed visual models, prototypes requiring smooth finish, small precise parts
Surface Finish
Very smooth; near-injection-mould quality after post-cure
Note
Requires support structures and post-curing; parts more brittle than FDM unless engineering resin is used
Complex Geometry

SLS Printing

Selective Laser Sintering

SLS uses a high-power laser to fuse powdered nylon (or other polymers) particle by particle. The surrounding unfused powder acts as a natural support, meaning SLS can produce complex geometries — internal channels, interlocking assemblies, organic shapes — with no support structures required.

Parts are isotropic (equal strength in all directions), dense, and highly durable. SLS is the go-to process for small production batches of functional end-use components and for parts that are simply too complex to print any other way.

Complex Geometry Interlocking Parts Production Batches Functional End-Use No Supports
  • No support structures — unlimited geometric complexity
  • Isotropic mechanical properties — equal strength in every direction
  • Excellent fatigue and impact resistance
  • Multiple parts nested in one build — efficient for batches
  • Parts can be dyed, smoothed, or coated
Layer Resolution
0.1 mm
Dimensional Accuracy
± 0.3 mm (scale dependent)
Materials
PA12 Nylon · PA11 Nylon · Glass-filled Nylon · TPU Powder · Alumide (Al-filled Nylon)
Best For
Complex functional parts, hinges, living features, small production runs
Surface Finish
Slightly grainy; can be smoothed by vapour smoothing or bead blasting
Lead Time
Longer than FDM due to build cycle and post-processing

Quick Reference

Technology Comparison

Technology Detail / Accuracy Strength Surface Finish Cost Best Use Case
FDM ● Medium ● High ● Visible layers ● Low Structural parts, large prints, engineering components
SLA / Resin ● Very High ● Medium ● Smooth ● Medium Visual models, fine detail, consumer products
SLS ● Good ● Very High ● Grainy ● Higher Complex geometry, production batches, functional end-use

Not sure which process fits your project?

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