Frequently
asked
questions.

Send us a description of what you need, a photo, a sketch, a damaged part, or a written explanation. We'll respond with questions or a quote. No formal specification or technical drawing is required to start the conversation. Most projects begin with a simple message.

No. We work from photos, sketches, rough dimensions, physical samples, or verbal descriptions. If you have drawings, we'll use them, but they're not required. Many of our clients come to us specifically because they don't have documentation for the part they need.

The most useful things to include: a clear photo of the part or application, overall dimensions if you know them, what the part needs to do (load, temperature, chemical exposure), and whether you need one part or a small batch. If you have the worn original or a broken sample, that's even better, you can bring or send it to us directly.

We respond to all enquiries within one business day. For urgent situations, a machine down, a production-critical part needed, contact us directly and we'll assess what we can do as a priority.

Yes. We work from physical samples regularly. We measure, observe, and apply engineering judgement to reconstruct accurate CAD geometry. Where tolerances are critical, bearing fits, shaft interfaces, mating surfaces, we discuss the assembly requirements and design accordingly rather than simply copying the worn dimensions.

That's a standard starting point. Bring us the part, photos, or what dimensions you can measure, and describe what the part should do. We'll assess what geometry is recoverable and what needs to be inferred or reconstructed from engineering context. It helps if you can describe how the part fits into its assembly and what forces or movements it handles.

Yes. The CAD files are yours. We deliver the project files on completion in the formats you need, STEP, STL, native CAD, etc. If you later need to modify the design, use a different manufacturer, or move to a different production process, you have everything you need to do that independently.

PETG, ASA, ABS, Nylon (PA12), and PA-CF (carbon fibre reinforced nylon) are our primary materials. Material selection depends on the mechanical load, operating temperature, chemical exposure, and assembly method for your specific application. We advise on material choice as part of every project, we don't default to one material for everything.

Both. Many of our printed parts go directly into production use, on conveyor lines, in machinery, as replacement components, as structural fixtures. We design parts for their intended function, not just appearance. We'll tell you honestly where printed parts are appropriate and where another process would serve better.

No minimum order quantity for 3D printing. We produce single parts, small batches, and short runs. For larger volumes where injection moulding becomes more cost-effective, we can support that transition, but there's no floor on quantity for printed work.

FDM printing typically achieves ±0.2–0.3 mm on standard features, depending on geometry, material, and orientation. For critical fits, bearing seats, press fits, sliding interfaces, we design in appropriate allowances and may recommend post-processing or machine finishing for tight tolerances. We discuss fit requirements before printing, not after.

It depends on complexity, print time, and current workload. Simple replacement parts can often turn around in 2–5 days from approval. Complex CAD work and multi-part assemblies take longer. We give an honest lead time estimate with every quote, and we'll tell you if your timeline isn't achievable rather than overpromise.

Typically: you contact us with a description or sample → we assess and quote → you approve → we design the CAD (or skip this if you provide files) → we send you the model for review → you approve → we print → we deliver with the CAD files. For more complex projects with multiple iterations, we'll agree on a review stage before committing to final print.

Yes. Through our associated manufacturing company, we support transition to injection moulding and vacuum forming. The same CAD files used for your prototype feed directly into production tooling, minimising redesign cost and avoiding the loss of design intent that comes from handing off to a new supplier.

It depends on part complexity, material, and size, but as a rough guide, injection moulding typically becomes cost-competitive from several hundred parts upward when tooling cost is amortised across the run. Below that, FDM printing is usually more economical. We'll give you an honest comparison when you're at that decision point.

Instead of CNC-machining a forming tool from aluminium, which is expensive and slow, we 3D print the negative geometry of your desired part, then cast a polyurethane positive from that print. The PU cast is used as the forming tool on a vacuum forming machine. Much cheaper and faster than metal tooling for suitable applications, making it practical for prototyping and short runs where aluminium tooling would be hard to justify.

Cycle life depends on the forming material, temperature, and part geometry, but PU tools are typically suited to tens to low hundreds of cycles before wear becomes visible on formed parts. For higher volumes, the right answer is aluminium tooling, which we can support through our associated manufacturing company when you're ready to make that investment.