Capabilities guide

What we can print, what quality to expect, and how to design for the best result.

This page is written for two kinds of buyers: people who just want the quick answer, and engineers or designers who want the deeper design rules. Start with the quick snapshot if you only need the basics, then scroll down into tolerances, finish expectations, and part-design guidance if you want to optimize a part for additive manufacturing.

Start a quote Jump to technical specs

Need the fast answer? Start with maximum size, tolerance, and finish expectations below.

Designing a functional part? Review the part-design guidance before finalizing your CAD.

Need the deeper details? Scroll into the technical specs and process notes.

Quick snapshot

What customers usually want to know first

Maximum single-part size 220 x 220 x 250 mm 8.66 x 8.66 x 9.84 in If a part is larger than this build volume, it will need to be redesigned, split into pieces, or made by another process.

Typical dimensional tolerance ±0.25 mm ±0.010 in For well-designed parts, this is a solid expectation. Large parts, thin features, and warp-prone geometry may vary more.

Surface finish Fine detail service 0.24 mm layers / 0.6 mm nozzle Parts are printed for clean, functional results. Layer lines are still part of the process, especially on shallow slopes and curved faces.

Best fit Functional prototypes, fixtures, housings, brackets, and short-run production parts 3D printing is strongest when you want fast iteration, low tooling cost, and geometry that would be expensive to machine or mold.

Size and envelope

Current part-size capability

Our current service is built around a maximum single-part envelope of 220 x 220 x 250 mm (8.66 x 8.66 x 9.84 in). If your model is close to the limit, keep in mind that orientation matters. A part may fit in one orientation and not in another.

Smaller parts usually quote faster, print more consistently, and ship more economically.
Tall, thin parts can be printable but may need more conservative geometry to avoid wobble or layer shift risk.
If a part is oversized, it can often be redesigned into multiple interlocking or fastened sections.

Tolerance and fit

What sort of tolerance you should expect

For general FDM service work, a realistic expectation is ±0.25 mm (±0.010 in) on many dimensions, with looser variation on larger parts, long flat spans, thin walls, and features sensitive to cooling or shrink behavior.

Press fits, bearing pockets, sliding fits, and gasket surfaces should be designed with testing and adjustment in mind.
Critical fit features often benefit from a small amount of post-processing or a printed test coupon first.
If a dimension is truly critical, call it out early so the design can be reviewed before production.

Finish quality

What the printed finish looks like

Our standard service is tuned for strong, clean, functional parts rather than cosmetic showroom perfection. Expect visible layer lines, especially on curved surfaces, shallow angles, and large radiused faces.

Vertical walls usually present the cleanest visual finish.
Carbon-fiber-filled materials typically look more matte and hide layer lines a bit better than standard materials.
Top surfaces, hole walls, underside overhangs, and unsupported bridges are the areas most likely to show process texture.

Technical specs

Current service profile

Specification	Current service
Default service profile	0.24 mm layers / 0.0094 in
Nozzle diameter	0.6 mm / 0.024 in
Recommended minimum wall	1.2 mm / 0.047 in
Recommended robust wall	1.8 to 2.4 mm / 0.071 to 0.094 in
Recommended clearance for moving/sliding fit	0.3 to 0.5 mm / 0.012 to 0.020 in
Recommended clearance for easy assembly	0.2 to 0.3 mm / 0.008 to 0.012 in
Minimum embossed/debossed detail	0.6 to 0.8 mm / 0.024 to 0.031 in
Safer text height/depth	1.0 mm+ / 0.040 in+
Unsupported bridge guidance	Keep short whenever possible; test if appearance matters
Overhang guidance	Gentler angles produce cleaner undersides

Design guidance

Design principles for strong, printable parts

Design with layer direction in mind FDM parts are anisotropic. They are usually strongest along the printed roads and weaker across layer boundaries. If a part will be loaded in bending, impact, or pullout, try to orient the geometry so the layer lines do not become the failure plane.

Give walls and ribs real substance Ultra-thin walls may quote and print, but they are more likely to warp, ring, or feel fragile. A wall that looks acceptable in CAD can still be too light for a durable real-world part.

Add clearance to mating parts Do not model two printed parts or a printed part and a purchased part at exactly nominal size and expect perfect assembly. Clearance should be designed in intentionally.

Avoid huge flat spans when possible Large flat plates and lids can curl, distort, or telegraph internal stresses. Ribs, chamfers, shallow curves, and segmented geometry often print better than big uninterrupted flats.

Use fillets and generous transitions Sharp internal corners concentrate stress and can reduce print reliability. Smooth transitions improve both part strength and print stability.

Plan for real hardware Threads, inserts, screws, snaps, and shafts all behave differently in printed plastic than they do in machined metal. Where practical, design around heat-set inserts, captured nuts, or post-machined holes for the most reliable assemblies.

Strengths

Where 3D printing shines

Fast turnaround without tooling
Low cost for one-offs and short runs
Excellent for complex geometry and internal features
Easy to iterate between revisions
Great for fixtures, brackets, enclosures, jigs, prototypes, and custom adapters

Tradeoffs

What to account for in the design

Not ideal for mirror-smooth cosmetic surfaces straight off the printer
Dimensional accuracy is good but not the same as precision machining
Layer-based process means strength depends on orientation
Large, thin, and heat-sensitive geometry can distort more than simple compact parts
Some features still benefit from drilling, reaming, tapping, sanding, or inserts after printing

Beginner takeaway

If you only read one section, read this

If you are unsure, start with PLA for indoor parts and PETG for tougher everyday functional parts.
For the cleanest-looking result, avoid giant flat surfaces, razor-thin walls, and tiny cosmetic text.
If a hole, slot, or mating feature matters, give it deliberate clearance instead of exact nominal CAD size.
If a part needs to handle repeated stress, impacts, or high heat, say so early so the design can be reviewed around that need.