Industrial 3D printing is no longer a technology reserved for prototypes. Today, an increasing number of companies use it to manufacture functional parts, spare parts, tooling, custom components, or short runs with excellent results.
However, not all 3D printing parts are created equal, nor are they all good candidates for additive manufacturing.
Before choosing this technology, it is advisable to analyse several aspects that will determine whether it truly is the best option compared to other manufacturing processes such as machining or injection moulding.
In this guide we explain the main factors that should be evaluated before manufacturing a part using 3D printing and how to know if your project can benefit from this technology.
1. What function is the part going to perform?
The first step consists in understanding what the actual use of the part will be.
Manufacturing an aesthetic casing is not the same as making a structural support, a production jig or a component subjected to continuous mechanical stress.
The function practically dictates all subsequent decisions: the material, the printing technology, the tolerances and even the surface finish.
Therefore, before thinking about 3D printing, it is worth answering a very simple question:
What does this part actually have to do?
2. What mechanical stresses will it have to withstand?
One of the most common mistakes is to think only about the shape of the part and forget about the working conditions.
Before manufacturing a part for 3D printing, it is necessary to assess whether it will be subjected to:
- Mechanical loads.
- Vibrations.
- Impacts.
- Friction wear.
- Torsion.
- Fatigue due to continuous use.
Depending on these conditions, it will be necessary to select both the most suitable technology and material.
For example, materials such as PA12 S, Nylon 12 CF o PAHT CF they offer excellent performance when mechanical strength and dimensional stability are the priority.
3. What sort of environment will you be working in?
The environment where the piece will function influences its design just as much.
A component used in an office is not the same as one installed in an industrial unit or exposed to the elements all year round.
It is worth considering aspects such as:
- Operating temperature.
- Humidity.
- Exposure to UV rays.
- Exposure to chemicals.
- Presence of dust or dirt.
- Sudden changes in temperature.
Each material reacts differently to these conditions.
For example, the ASA CF It is an excellent choice for outdoor use thanks to its resistance to UV rays and the elements, whilst materials such as PAHT CF They are particularly suitable for applications involving high temperatures.
4. Is the geometry suitable for 3D printing?
Indeed, one of the greatest advantages of additive manufacturing is its ability to produce complex geometries.
Internal channels, weight-saving features, organic shapes or components that previously required several manufacturing processes can now be produced as a single piece.
However, not all geometries provide advantages through 3D printing.
If the part is very simple, requires thousands of units and can be easily manufactured using other processes, there are likely to be more competitive alternatives.
3D printing offers greater value when design complexity, customisation or flexibility are key factors.
5. What level of accuracy do you need?
Each 3D printing technology offers different features.
That is why it is important to know the tolerances required for the part before deciding how to manufacture it.
Depending on the application, technologies such as the following can be used:
- HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) for functional parts requiring a high degree of repeatability.
- SLS for high-strength components and complex geometries.
- FDM for prototypes and low-cost functional parts.
- SLA when surface finish and level of detail are a priority.
Selecting the technology correctly is just as important as choosing the material.
6. How many pieces do you need to manufacture?
Production volume is another deciding factor.
3D printing is particularly cost-effective for:
- Functional prototypes.
- Unique pieces.
- Short series.
- Media series.
- Industrial spare parts.
- Made-to-order.
Instead, when large production volumes are needed, other processes such as plastic injection moulding can prove more competitive.
Analysing the number of units from the beginning makes it possible to choose the most efficient manufacturing process.
Choosing the right material makes all the difference
The same part can be manufactured using very different materials and achieve completely different results.
For this reason, a material should never be chosen solely on the basis of its name or price.
The important thing is to understand what the part needs and select the material that best responds to those conditions.
There are now specific materials available for virtually any application:
- High mechanical strength.
- Outdoor display.
- Flexibility.
- High temperatures.
- Lightweight components.
- Industrial production.
Choosing the right material extends the service life of the part and reduces the need for future modifications.
Common mistakes when designing parts for 3D printing
Many projects fail not because of 3D printing, but because of poor decisions made during the design phase.
Some of the most common mistakes are:
- Choose the material before analysing the application.
- Failing to take into account the environment where the part will operate.
- Prioritise surface finish over functionality.
- Choosing a technology without knowing its limitations.
- Disregard the number of parts to be manufactured.
- To think that all technologies offer the same features.
Avoiding these mistakes from the outset saves time, money and the need for future changes.
Checklist: Is your part suitable for 3D printing?
Before starting a project, check this list:
- Do you know what the part is supposed to do?
- Do you know what mechanical stresses it will be able to withstand?
- Have you assessed the temperature and the working environment?
- Does geometry make the most of the benefits of additive manufacturing?
- Do you know the required tolerances?
- Have you defined the number of units you need to manufacture?
- Have you chosen the material based on its intended use, rather than solely on its cost?
If the answer is yes to most of these questions, it is highly likely that 3D printing will be an excellent solution for manufacturing your part.
Do you need to manufacture a part using 3D printing?
Every project has different requirements, and additive manufacturing is not always the best solution.
At Additium3D We analyse the geometry, material, production volume and actual conditions of use for each part in order to recommend the most suitable manufacturing technology.
If you’re unsure whether a part can be produced using 3D printing, Our technical team will advise you on finding the solution that best suits your project.
3D printing makes it possible to manufacture a wide variety of industrial parts, from functional prototypes to final components. Among the most common applications are spare parts, tooling, brackets, casings, ducts, mechanical parts, custom components and short production runs. The choice of technology and material will depend on the end use and the performance required of the part.
It is essential to analyse mechanical stress, friction, working temperature, humidity, or potential exposure to chemical products. In industrial applications, materials such as PA12 S, Nylon 12 CF or PAHT CF offer high wear resistance and excellent mechanical performance.
When the original design is unavailable, a part can be digitised using 3D scanning or reverse engineering. From that digital model, the dimensions are checked, the necessary modifications are made, and a file ready for manufacture via 3D printing is generated. This process is especially useful for reproducing discontinued parts or industrial spare parts.
It depends on the technology used. In processes such as FDM or SLA, certain geometries with overhangs require supports during printing. In contrast, technologies such as HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) or SLS use the powder itself as a support, making it possible to manufacture much more complex geometries without additional structures.
