Please use the following links for tolerances and build area limitations of 3D printed (additive manufactured) components. Note that this is based on typical results; additional notes on each process are at the bottom of this article. Are you looking for design tips? Check out our free design guides.
Additional notes:
- All processes: Stresses during build, support strategy, and other geometry considerations may cause deviation in tolerances and flatness. Parts with thicker geometries, flat or broad parts, and parts with uneven wall thicknesses may be prone to significant deviations or warp. Improved tolerances may be possible with a manual quote review after successfully completing a prototype build and must be approved on a case-by-case basis. General tolerances apply before secondary finishing or post-processing unless otherwise specified.
- SLS (Selective Laser Sintering): Note that thicker geometries, large broad parts, and parts with uneven wall thicknesses may deviate due to thermal shrinkage and stress. This can look like warping or twisting. Even wall thicknesses and similar design guidelines as injection molded parts are encouraged. Very small gaps and holes may be tighter than designed; a 0.006" offset of small gaps and holes will help these features achieve closer to CAD results. SLS prints in 0.0047" (120 um) layers.
- HP MJF (HP Multi Jet Fusion): Note that thicker geometries, large broad parts, and parts with uneven wall thicknesses may deviate due to thermal shrinkage and stress. This can look like warping or twisting. Even wall thicknesses and similar design guidelines as injection molded parts are encouraged. Very small gaps and holes may be tighter than designed; a 0.006" offset of small gaps and holes will help these features achieve closer to CAD results. HP MJF prints in 0.0031" (80 um) layers.
- FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling): FDM works well for mechanical geometries, larger parts, and parts that may not require ultra-fine features. Very narrow pegs and lips may not resolve due to the bead thickness deposited. We recommend that the minimum feature size, including text features, be at least 0.035" (0.045" is safest). FDM prints in 0.010" layers (254 um), 0.013" layers (330 um) on parts over 16" max dimension. FFF Prototyping PLA prints at 0.008" layers.
- SLA (Stereolithography): SLA is a high detail and accurate process with various photopolymers that can mimic different properties. SLA materials can range from flexible (polypropylene-like), general-purpose (ABS-like), rigid (polycarbonate-like), and even highly stiff composites depending on the chosen material. SLA is a reliable option for testing fit before injection molding, getting a part with a smooth surface finish, or highly detailed features. SLA prints in 0.004" layers (100 um) with standard resolution, and many materials have a high-resolution option at 0.002" (50 um) layers.
- Carbon DLS (Digital Light Synthesis): Carbon DLS is a detailed and accurate process with thermally cured engineering materials. The cured materials are often urethane-based, such as flexible, rigid, and elastomer materials (FPU, RPU, EPU). Some materials behave like silicone, such as the urethane-based SIL material. Cyanate ester (CE) is a stiff and highly thermal-resistant material. Urethane Methacrylate (UMA) is a general-purpose single-stage resin. Although curing is continuous, expect 0.004" layers (100 um). This process works best for end-use applications that require a good blend of mechanical use and surface quality.
- PolyJet (Polymer Jetting): PolyJet is a very fine, detailed, and accurate process. Although the material is not as robust as the FDM or SLS thermoplastics, the rigid and rubber-like photopolymers have the highest detail resolution for features like text, surface, and lip seals. PolyJet prints in 0.0012" layers (30 um). This process works best for final fit-checks before molding, over-mold prototypes, and parts used as sales models.
- Nexa3D LSPc® (Lubricant Sublayer Photo-curing): LSPc is a fast and detailed process with various photopolymers ranging from general purpose to high-heat to flexible materials. The number of parts does not affect the printing speed of each layer, making it particularly advantageous for printing large quantities of smaller pieces in a short amount of time. LSPc prints in 0.004" (100 um) layers at standard resolution. This process is best for tool-free production of end-use parts in batch quantities.
Please visit our Manufacturing Standards page for more information about the standards of our manufacturing processes.
Visit our 3D printing services page to see all of our available additive manufacturing process offerings!