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3D printing prototype service
Create 3D printed prototype parts quickly and cost-effectively with cutting-edge manufacturing technology.
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Rapid 3D print prototyping
3D printing offers unprecedented design versatility and the potential to manufacture functional prototypes in a variety of materials with speed and accuracy. Our 3D printing technologies are capable of achieving complex geometries and intricate dimensions without hard tooling and without the production considerations of full manufacturing runs.
Ordering from our rapid 3D prototyping service is easy. Upload your prototype designs to our Cloud Manufacturing Platform™, work with our engineers to optimize your parts and choose the right 3D printing method, and then move to production with the click of a button.
For more on-demand manufacturing services, browse our full range of 3D printing capabilities.
Our 3D printing technologies
We offer the following 3D printing services:
Carbon® Digital Light Synthesis™ (DLS)
The Carbon DLS™ Process is a resin-based additive manufacturing technology, ideal for creating smaller, high fidelity parts with complex geometries, isotropic properties, and excellent surface finishes.
HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)
HP MJF technology is a powder-bed additive manufacturing technology capable of delivering strong, durable parts for a variety of industrial end-uses.
Stratasys fused deposition modeling (FDM)
A popular additive technology, FDM is capable of producing relatively low-cost parts with a variety of materials and finishing options.
Design considerations
Optimize your 3D printing prototypes: consider the following factors during your design process.
3D printing benefits
| DLS | HP MJF | FDM | SLA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production-grade parts | HP MJF 4200/5200 | Engineering-grade materials | Intricate, accurate detailing |
| Isotropic material properties | Produces fine features for complex parts | Industry certifications | Excellent surface finish |
| Smooth surface finish and fine details | More consistent isotropic mechanical properties in the Z build direction when compared to other additive processes | Large build volume | Great for prototypes or one-off parts |
| High throughput | Does not require supports (self- supporting) allowing more design freedom | ||
| High throughput | |||
| HP MJF Color | |||
| Produces full-spectrum color parts with a voxel-control system | |||
| Produces accurate, functional parts with intricate detail |
Build volume
| DLS | HP MJF | FDM | SLA |
|---|---|---|---|
| M2 printer | HP MJF 4200/5200 | 914 x 610 x 914 mm | 335 x 200 x 300 mm |
| 189 x 118 x 326 mm | 375 x 375 x 280 mm | 36.0 x 24.0 x 36.0 in | 13.2 x 7.9 x 11.8 in |
| 7.4 x 4.6 x 12.8 in | 14.8 x 14.8 x 11.0 in | ||
| L1 printer | HP MJF Color | ||
| 400 x 250 x 460 mm | 332 x 190 x 248 mm | ||
| 15.7 x 9.8 x 18.1 in | 13.1 x 7.5 x 9.8 in |
Minimum feature size
| DLS | HP MJF | FDM | SLA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material dependent, typically: | HP MJF 4200/5200 | 0.4 mm | Minimum feature size is different for each resin – we are able to achieve complex and aggressive geometry. |
| ~0.25 – 0.5 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.016 in | |
| ~0.01 – 0.02 in | 0.02 in | ||
| HP MJF Color | |||
| 0.5 mm | |||
| 0.02 in |
Best achievable tolerance
| DLS | HP MJF | FDM | SLA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material dependent, typically: | HP MJF 4200/5200 | ± 0.381 mm | N/A |
| +/- 0.3 mm | Features in X-Y Dimension (0-100mm feature size): | 0.015 in | |
| +/- 0.012 in | +/- 0.3 mm | ||
| +/- 0.012 in | |||
| Features in X-Y Dimension (>100mm feature size): | |||
| +/- 0.3% of feature size | |||
| Features in Z Dimension (0-100mm feature size): | |||
| +/- 0.4 mm | |||
| +/- 0.016 in | |||
| Features in Z Dimension (>100mm feature size): | |||
| +/- 0.4% of feature size | |||
| HP MJF Color | |||
| Features in X-Y dimension | |||
| +/- 0.4 mm | |||
| +/- 0.016 in | |||
| Features in Z dimension | |||
| +/- 0.8 mm | |||
| +/- 0.031 in |
3D prototype materials and post-processing options
We’ll help you choose the right material for your 3D printing prototypes and select suitable finishing and post-processing offerings:
Materials
| DLS | HP MJF | FDM | SLA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rigid materials | HP MJF 4200: | Ultem 1010 | Surgical guide |
| RPU 70 | Nylon PA 12 | Ultem 9085 | Clear |
| RPU 130 | 40% Glass Bead Filled TPA | Ultem 9085 CG | Rigid |
| EPX 82 | PC-10 | Tough 2000 | |
| EPX 86 | HP MJF 580: | PC-ISO | Elastic |
| UMA 90 | CB Nylon PA 12 | PC-ABS | Flexible |
| IND 405 | ASA | Tough 1500 | |
| MPU 100 | ABS-ESD7 | Durable | |
| CE 221 | ABS-M30i | White | |
| ABS-M30 | Black | ||
| Non-rigid materials | PPSF | Color | |
| EPU 40 | ST-130 | High Temp | |
| EPU 41 | Nylon 6 | ||
| SIL 30 | Nylon 12 | ||
| Nylon 12CF | |||
| Antero 800NA | |||
| Antero840CN03 |
Finishing and post-processing
| DLS | HP MJF | FDM | SLA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting | Painting | Painting | Painting |
| Bead blasting | Bead blasting | Bead blasting | Bead blasting |
| Smoothing | Black dyeing | Sanding | Sanding |
| Press-fit inserts | Heat staked inserts | Heat staked inserts | Press-fit inserts |
| Digital texturing | Press-fit inserts | HeliCoil inserts | Digital texturing |
| Laser surface decorating / etching | Digital texturing | Laser surface decorating / etching | |
| Clear coat | |||
| Vapor smoothing | |||
| Laser surface decorating / etching |
Get an instant quote for your 3D printing prototypes
Use our quoting platform for quick quotes on prototype parts.
Why prototype with 3D printing?
The 3D printing process offers a number of unique prototyping benefits:
Design freedom
Create 3D printing prototypes with complex geometries and dimensions, without the design restrictions of traditional manufacturing methods.
Virtual iteration
Work with Fast Radius engineers to iterate on your 3D printing prototypes virtually before production. Optimize your design, and choose materials and finishing options.
Fast turnaround
3D printing offers fast, cost effective turnaround times, enabling you to create and receive your prototype parts as quickly as possible.
Strength and durability
While prototypes may not typically need strength and durability, some 3D printing processes enable the creation of functional prototypes for real-world testing.
3D printing applications
Medical devices
3D printing prototypes can be manufactured rapidly to shave months off development timelines, and to produce biocompatible parts such as surgical guides and instruments.
Aerospace
Our 3D prototyping technologies serve the diverse manufacturing needs of the aerospace industry and enable you to prototype your parts on-demand,.
Automotive
Create automotive prototypes with speed and versatility for a diversity of applications: work with us to determine the best 3D printing technology and to optimize your parts for safety and functionality.
Consumer goods
Prototype customer-facing products with 3D printing technology: achieve complex geometries and dimensions, and tailor your design for commercial contexts with finishing and post-processing options.
Explore 3D printing news and industry updates
Find 3D printing prototyping insight on the Fast Radius blog:
Fast Radius manufacturing solutions
Fast Radius manufacturing solutions serve the needs of businesses across the industrial landscape. Explore our capabilities:
3D printing
Fast, scalable, and cost-effective 3D printing technology for a variety of industrial applications.
CNC machining
Automated CNC turning and 3-axis and 5-axis milling, using rotating drills, end mills, and lathes.
