3D printing service for industry and mechanical engineering

Prototypes, small batches and recurring series
With clear specification, coordinated post-processing, and demonstrable quality.

Calculate component
  • Send file & Receive quote

„What you get“

You don't want a „component“ in the end, but certainty that it fits: geometry, material behaviour, surface, tolerance, and that you can reorder it without having to discuss it anew each time.

Tell us the quantity + requirements → we'll recommend the optimal way.

Functional prototypes

If you want to test quickly. Iterative, traceable, without tool costs.

Small series / Zero series

If you need initial production numbers before you invest or build tools.

Series parts / Repetitive parts

If you need consistently identical parts, with a defined process and quality.

3D Printing Processes & Materials in Practice

FDM

Technical thermoplastics for functional components

FDM is often the pragmatic „industrial all-rounder“: stable, fast, economical. Especially when function counts.

FDM Technical Data

  • Installation space 330 x 330 x 330 mm

  • Material PLA, PETG, ASA, PC, PA12, PA6-GF25

  • Costs 0.05 € – 0.20 € per cm³

  • Accuracy ±0.2 – ±0.5 mm

Typical applications for FDM

  • Series parts & mass-produced parts (excluding tooling costs)

  • Fast Function Components (Production / Assembly / Deployment)

  • Prototyping with short lead times

  • Spare parts & remanufactured parts (Just-in-Time)

  • Casings & technical small parts

When FDM is particularly useful:
If you quick test whether you want or need robust parts where a „technical“ finish is fine.

Service Level Agreement

Detail accuracy & surface quality

SLA uses resins and is strong when details, fit and smooth surfaces are important, for example for design models or very fine components.

SLA Technical Specifications

  • Installation space up to approx. 300 x 300 x 300 mm

  • Materials Standard resins, technical, flexible & temperature-resistant resins

  • Costs approx. €0.10 – €0.40 per cm³

  • Accuracy approx. ±0.05 – ±0.15 mm

Typical applications for SLA

  • Highly-detailed prototypes (Design & Presentation)

  • Visualisation models (product design / architecture)

  • Small functional parts (clips, locking mechanisms)

  • Master models and moulds (Casts, Silicone mould, Vacuum casting)

  • Medical & Technical Models

When SLAs are particularly useful:
If it needs to look clean and be precise.

SLS

Near-net-shape components without support structures

SLS is the most robust solution in many B2B cases, enabling complex geometries, and because the powder bed provides support, you don't need traditional supports.

SLS Technical Specifications

  • Installation space approximately 330 x 330 x 600 mm

  • Materials PA12, PA11, glass-fibre reinforced polyamides

  • Costs approx. €0.20 – €0.60 per cm³

  • Accuracy approx. ±0.2 – ±0.3 mm

Typical applications for SLS

  • Proximity plastic components (consistent quality)

  • Functional components for mechanical and apparatus engineering

  • Complex geometries (undercuts, snaps, cavities)

  • Small series and series launches without tooling costs

  • Casings & structural components

When SLS is particularly useful:
If you functional parts with complex geometry you need and the parts later Repeatable should come into play.

Large Format Large Volume 3D Printing

Many suppliers can do standard sizes. Large formats are rarer and that's precisely why a test print is often worthwhile: you can quickly see if the geometry, stability and surface work for your application.

Request large format

LF-FDM

Large format printing for industrial applications

When components are large, the market quickly becomes limited. Large format can be a real advantage here, especially for full-size prototypes, jigs, or covers.

LF-FDM Technical Data

  • Installation space 1000 × 1000 × 1000 mm

  • Materials ASA GF, PA12 GF, PA6 GF, PA6 CF, PP GF, TPU
    Glass- and carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastics

  • Costs approx. €0.08 – €0.35 per cm³

  • Accuracy approx. ±0.3 – ±0.8 mm (Functionally suitable for large format)

Typical applications for LF-FDM

  • Large-format prototypes (fit, assembly, clearance)

  • Operating resources, gauges and fixtures

  • Mechanical and Plant Engineering (Housings, Covers, Structural Parts)

  • Small series and near-series production without tooling costs

  • Large spare parts / Aftermarket parts

  • Elastic & Damping Components (TPU)

Important for LF-FDM:
Large format is often about function decided (fit, stability, assembly). Optics can be planned, but „perfectly smooth“ is a separate project.

Materials

Material choice is often the difference between „looks good“ and „works in practice“. Compare your requirements here.

Are you unsure? We only need a little information to advise you competently.

low Low customer risk middle Further processing/fibre information high increased caution recommended Gluten-free Fibre optic CF Carbon fibre
Material comparison as a diagram
Select two parameters and compare the distribution of the visible materials.
Filament ABS ABS GF ASA ASA GF PA6 PA6 CF TPU PLA PETG PC HPP GF HPP4 GF HPP 52ShD PPS GF PA12
Base material
Base material
Base polymer / Fibre additive		 Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Acrylonitrile Butadiene StyreneFibre optic Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Acrylonitrile Styrene AcrylateFibre optic Polyamide PolyamideCarbon fibre Thermoplastic polyurethane Polylactide Polyethylene terephthalate glycol Polycarbonate High-Performance PolyolefinFibre optic High-Performance PolyolefinFibre optic High-Performance Polyolefin Polyphenylene sulphideFibre optic Polyamide
Mechanical properties
Tensile strength [MPa]
(x-y axes) ISO 527
34
54
43
34		 n/a.
172
34,5
61
56
60
33
60
17
64
71
Bending strength [MPa]
ISO 178
70
90
73
54
100*
254
4,3
83
82
94		 n/a. n/a. n/a.
102
265
Notched impact strength [kJ/m²]
to ISO 179-2
14,2*
6
9,9
9,6
5
10
34
3,9
3
25
33
27		 n/a.
7,3
10
Printing parameters
Printability
in %
70%
80%
75%
80%
70%
75%
80%
90%
85%
75%
70%
70%
50%
30%
60%
Nozzle temperature [°C] 220 - 250 260 - 280 230 - 260 260 - 280 240 - 300 270 - 290 225 - 245 200 - 210 220 - 240 250 - 270 220 - 240 220 - 240 250 - 270 310 - 350 280 - 300
Bed temperature [°C] 95 - 110 90 - 100 90 - 100 90 - 100 70 - 90 50 - 70 30 - 50 50 - 60 80 - 90 80 - 120 80 - 100 80 - 100 80 - 100 80 - 90 40 - 50
Heated bed required ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ × ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Additional heating required ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ × × × × × × × × ×
Print speed [mm/s] 30 - 70 50 - 100 30 - 50 30 - 150 30 - 50 50 - 100 20 - 40 50 - 100 30 - 70 30 - 90 30 - 100 30 - 100 30 - 100 30 - 50 30 - 60*
Aide 3DLac 3DLac 3DLac 3DLac Acrylic adhesive Acrylic adhesive 3DLac 3DLac 3DLac 3DLac PP adhesive PP adhesive PP adhesive 3DLac Acrylic adhesive
Material data
Density
g/cm³
1,04
1,11
1,14
1,17
1,06 - 1,14
1,20
1,19 - 1,23
1,23
1,29
1,20
1,01
1,09
0,91
1,36
1,06
Price [€/kg] 10 - 40 25 - 35 38 - 40 35 - 100 25 - 65 80 - 150 30 - 70 10 - 40 20 - 60 40 - 75 60 70 70 70 - 160 100
Heat resistance [°C]
98
104
100
92
80 - 95
209
60 - 74
53
73
110
84
127
44
125
131
Soluble in Dimethyl ketone / acetone (concentrated), dichloromethane / methylene chloride Dimethyl ketone / acetone (trace amounts) Dimethyl ketone / Acetone, Dichloromethane, Cyclohexanone Dichloromethane (weak) Phenol (weak), concentrated acids/alkalis → extremely poorly soluble practically insoluble Dichloromethane (slow), MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) Chloroform*, ethyl acetate Tetrahydrofuran 99.8%, dichloromethane, phenol (weak) Methanol, Benzol, Ammonia, Phenol, Dichloromethane (weak), Methanoic acid Xylene / heptane (very faint), tetralin Xylene / Heptane (very weak) Xylene / Heptane (very weak) difficult to dissolve Phenol / hot formic acid (for laboratory use only)
Tips
Please note Heated bed, enclosed build chamber Heated bed, enclosed build chamber Heated bed, enclosed build chamber Heated bed, enclosed build chamber Heated bed, enclosed build chamber Additional ventilation (30%) additional ventilation additional ventilation Additional ventilation (40%) Heated bed, enclosed build chamber Heated bed, enclosed build chamber, additional ventilation (30%) Heated bed, enclosed build chamber, additional ventilation (30%) Heated bed, enclosed build chamber, additional ventilation (30%) Heated bed, enclosed build chamber Heated bed, enclosed build chamber
Special features Standard injection moulding material — — — Hygroscopic Hygroscopic — — — Cannot withstand heat cycles and UV. — — Shore hardness: 52D, abrasion-resistant metallic sound —
Health risk
for customers / handling		 middleStyrene vapours during processing middleStyrene vapours during processing middlesimilar ABS in processing middlesimilar ABS in processing low middleConsider the fibre content low low low low middlePay attention to the fibre optic content middlePay attention to the fibre optic content low middlePay attention to the fibre optic content low
Properties
Elastic × × × × × × ✓ × × × × × ✓ × ×
Pressure-resistant ✓ × ✓ × ✓ × × × × ✓ × × × × ×
Composite material
with fibre reinforcement		 × ✓ × ✓ × ✓ × × × × ✓ ✓ × ✓ ×
UV resistant × × ✓ ✓ × × × × ✓ × ✓ ✓ × × ×
Heat-resistant ✓ × ✓ ✓ ✓ × × × × ✓ ✓ ✓ × ✓ ×
Chemically resistant × × × ✓ × × × × ✓ × ✓ ✓ × ✓ ×
Fatigue resistant × × × × ✓ × ✓ × ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ × × ×

Post-processing

A part is rarely „finished“ just because it comes out of the machine. We'll agree with you on what „finished“ means.
Possible steps (depending on the project):

  • Support
  • Surface finish
  • Drilling/Threading
  • Fittings
  • Assembly preparation
  • Optical requirements

Ensure repeatability

Clarify specification (tolerances, surface finish, critical dimensions)
Test run (if in production) → Release
Defined process → Reorder without surprises

Do you want to decide quickly without risk?

Start with a test part or a small series. Then you'll know if it scales for you.

What we need from you

So that we can start work cleanly straight away, this is usually enough:

  • STEP / Drawing / STL (if necessary: photo + dimensions)
  • Quantity and target date
  • Operating conditions (temperature, load, environment)
  • Critical dimensions / tolerances (if any)
Calculate component
Mach-3D Manufacturing – Component in Use

Frequently asked questions about 3D printing contract manufacturing

Pricing, procedures, tolerances, and file formats – the questions that arise before every order.

What does a 3D printing service cost?

Small components start at around €40. The price depends on four things: component volume, material, printing process and quantity. A simple model-making component made of PLA is significantly cheaper than a load-bearing functional part made of carbon fibre-reinforced PA6. You can see the exact figure for yourself in just a few minutes: Mach-3D has developed its own quotation calculator – not an outsourced portal. You upload your STL or STEP file, select the material and process, and receive an instant quote. The calculator also shows the price scale directly: you can see how much the unit price drops with increasing quantity even before you submit your request.

What 3D printing processes and materials does Mach-3D offer?

Four processes with different strengths: FDM for stable, economical functional components (PLA, PETG, ASA, PC, PA12, PA6GF25). SLA for fine details and smooth surfaces. SLS for complex geometries without support structures. And LF-FDM for large components up to 1000 x 1000 x 1000 mm with reinforced materials such as PA6 CF, PA12 GF, ASA GF, PP GF and TPU. We will clarify which process suits your component before calculating the quote.

How accurate are 3D-printed parts?

The achievable dimensional accuracy depends on the process: SLA works with the greatest precision at approx. ±0.05 to ±0.15 mm, FDM is at ±0.2 to ±0.5 mm, SLS at approx. ±0.2 to ±0.3 mm. For large-format LF-FDM printing, approx. ±0.3.

What is the maximum size of my component?

Up to 1000 × 1000 × 1000 mm in one piece – without sectional construction and without gluing. This is made possible by the in-house large-format 3D printer SAM. The more compact processes cover smaller formats: FDM up to 330 × 330 × 330 mm, SLA up to approx. 300 × 300 × 300 mm, SLS up to approx. 330 × 330 × 600 mm.

Which file do I need for a quote?

Ideally, a STEP or STL file. A technical drawing would also suffice. If you have no CAD data at all, photos with dimensions will be enough to start with – we'll create the print-ready model from those. You can upload the file directly in the quote calculator.

How quickly can I get a quote?

The quote calculator shows you price ranges and material options immediately after uploading your file. A binding offer will follow upon submission; if we have any questions about the construction, we will contact you within 1 to 2 working days. Mach-3D manufactures in Altenholz near Kiel – short distances and dedicated contacts instead of a ticket system.

Does Mach-3D also manufacture individual parts and small batches?

Yes – starting from a single component and with no minimum order value. Small orders fill gaps in the machine utilisation plan, which is why Mach-3D consciously accepts them. For you, this means: a single spare part, a prototype or a model is just as possible as a series of 500 pieces. Many suppliers reject individual items or demand minimum quantities – at Mach-3D in Altenholz near Kiel, this is not the case.

Can I order 3D printing online?

Yes. Using the in-house quotation calculator, you upload your STL or STEP file, select the material and process, and receive an instant quote – with no waiting time and no callbacks. Volume discounts for larger quantities are automatically calculated and displayed. Production is not outsourced anonymously abroad but takes place in Altenholz near Kiel, with dedicated contacts for queries regarding the design.

Calculate component nowCustom Quote Calculator · Instant Quote · Volume Pricing Automatically Calculated

Fittingly

Our large-format 3D printer SAM: Technology & Data →Applications: Large components, spare parts & small series →FDM, SLA & SLS: 3D printing methods compared

3D printing contract manufacturing: your partner in Kiel

With 3D printing contract manufacturing from Mach-3D, you can outsource manufacturing in a predictable way: We handle prototypes, small series, and industrial components in FDM, SLA, and SLS – with documented quality and fixed delivery dates.

Whether it's a one-off order or a framework agreement: 3D printing contract manufacturing is always worthwhile when in-house printing capacity is lacking or quantities fluctuate. You can order suitable components directly via the Quote Calculator calculate. Do you want to master 3D printing yourself? The Mach-3D Academy trains professionals in additive manufacturing.