3D printing to order
Prototypes, enclosures, fixtures and short runs in plastics. You upload an STL or STEP model, and vetted shops with FDM, SLS, MJF or SLA printers prepare the price and lead time.
- From 1 piece
- Inspection report before shipping
- Payment secured by HexoParts
- Size
- 110 × 70 × 40 mm
- Material
- PA12 (SLS)
- Quantity
- 50 pcs
- Quote
- by shops
01Typical orders
What customers order most
Examples, not a closed list. The order goes to shops whose machines fit the size and material of your part.
Functional prototypes
Parts to check assembly and function before CNC machining or an injection mould.
Enclosures and covers
Electronics enclosures, lids and covers in PA12, ASA or PETG.
Fixtures and jigs
Assembly fixtures, gauges and holders made to fit the part.
Short runs
From a few to a few hundred pieces with no tooling cost, usually in SLS or MJF.
02What sets the price
What we look at in your part
Scroll to see what decides price and manufacturing. These are the same things the shop checks before accepting the order.
01 · wall ≥ 1.2 mm
Wall thickness
Walls that are too thin warp or do not print at all. For FDM and SLS allow at least 1.2-1.5 mm, for SLA about 1 mm.
02 · layer 0.1-0.3 mm
Layers and orientation
The part is built layer by layer, so strength and appearance depend on the print direction. Mention visible and loaded surfaces in the notes.
03 · hole for a thread
Holes and threads
Printed holes usually come out slightly undersized. The shop can ream fitted holes and use threaded inserts: mark them on the drawing.
04 · overhang > 45° = supports
Overhangs and supports
In FDM and SLA, overhangs beyond about 45° need supports, which leave marks. SLS and MJF print without supports.
What drives the price
3D printing is quoted by vetted shops in a closed tender: process, volume, orientation in the build chamber, supports and post-processing affect the price too much for an instant price. You get the price and lead time by email, usually within 24-48 hours.
03Order path
From file to acceptance: always the same path.
Every order goes through the same steps, and your money stays with us until you accept the parts.
- File3D model or contour, material and quantity. No sign-up.model · PDF drawing
- AnalysisSize, holes and setups read from the file in an isolated environment.file encrypted
- PriceA simple part gets an instant price, a complex one is quoted by 3-5 shops.instant or by shops
- ShopThe order goes to a shop with suitable machines, under our number.confidentiality
- InspectionCritical dimensions measured and photographed, our engineer checks the report.inspection report
- Acceptance5 working days to check. The shop is paid only after you accept.secured payment
04Scope and materials
Order scope
- Processes
- FDM, SLS, MJF, SLA
- Build volume
- usually up to 250-380 mm, larger parts are split
- Accuracy
- depends on the process, give critical dimensions on a drawing
- Quote
- always a tender, price usually within 24-48 h
- File
- STL or STEP in millimetres
Commonly ordered materials
- FDM
- PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU 95A
- SLS / MJF
- PA12, glass-filled PA12
- SLA
- standard resin, tough resin
Availability depends on the shops the order goes to. Your material is not in the form? Add it to the notes: shops that work with it will quote it.
All materials and finishes →05Questions
3D printing: frequently asked questions
Why is there no instant price for 3D printing?
The price depends on the process, supports and post-processing at a given shop. That is why several shops quote it, and you get one price with a lead time.
Which file: STL or STEP?
Both work. STEP keeps the exact geometry, STL is a triangle mesh: export it in millimetres with good resolution.
How accurate is a print?
Usually a few tenths of a millimetre, depending on the process and part size. Give critical dimensions on a PDF drawing: the shops confirm them in their offer.
More about 3D printing to order
Online 3D printing service
HexoParts works as an online 3D printing service backed by vetted production partners with FDM, SLS, MJF and SLA printers. You upload a model and choose the material and quantity, and partners quote in a closed tender. You get one contract and one invoice, and the file reaches the partner without your company name.
Custom 3D printing from an STL file
For custom 3D printing an STL file with a closed mesh in millimetres is enough, and STEP files are welcome too. We read the size from the file and send the job only to partners whose printers can fit the part.
Which process
Affordable prototypes, brackets and enclosures come from FDM 3D printing. Strong functional parts and small batches without supports come from SLS 3D printing in PA12. The smoothest surfaces come from SLA resin 3D printing. Metal parts are made by CNC milling. What drives the price is explained on 3D printing cost.
3D printing service online
Our 3D printing service online works like the rest of the platform: upload the model, choose process and material, and vetted partners quote it. 3D printing has no instant price, because supports, orientation and finishing change the cost too much; you get one quote with a date instead.
3D printing: place an order and get the price.
Placing an order costs nothing, you pay only for ordered parts. Businesses and private persons across the EU order online, in EUR.
- No minimum order
- Invoice from HexoParts
- Claims handled by us
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