Guides
3D Printing Guides and Resources
Plain guides to FDM 3D printing for US businesses. Pick a material, pick a process, and see what it costs.
Additive Manufacturing Explained: What It Is and How It Works
A plain guide to additive manufacturing: how it builds parts layer by layer, where FDM 3D printing fits, and when it beats older methods.
Read the guideFDM vs SLA: Which 3D Printing Method Fits Your Part?
FDM and SLA are the two most common 3D printing methods. Here is how they differ in strength, detail, and cost, and how to pick the right one for your part.
Read the guide3D Printing Prototype: A Simple Guide to Building Your First Test Part
A 3D printing prototype is a quick test part made from a digital file so you can check fit and design before you commit. Learn how it works, what it costs, and how to start.
Read the guide3D Printed Jigs and Fixtures: A Practical Guide for Shops
A plain-English guide to 3D printed jigs and fixtures: what they are, when to print them, which material to pick, and how to get them made fast.
Read the guideCarbon Fiber 3D Printing: A Simple Guide to Stronger Parts
Carbon fiber 3D printing uses fiber-filled filament to make stiff, strong FDM parts. Learn how it works, what it costs, and when to use it.
Read the guide3D Printing Cost: How Pricing Works and How to Print for Less
3D printing cost is set by four things: material, print time, labor, and overhead. See what drives the price and how to print for less without cutting corners.
Read the guide3D Printing Tolerances: Real FDM Numbers and How to Design for Fit
The FDM tolerance numbers we actually hold, plus the clearance to add for press fits, sliding fits, and holes that come out the right size.
Read the guideDesign for 3D Printing: Wall Thickness, Overhangs, and Rules That Cut Cost
FDM design rules that work: minimum wall thickness, the 45 degree overhang rule, hole and pin sizes, and the design moves that lower your part price.
Read the guideSTL Files for 3D Printing: Export Settings, Units, and Easy Fixes
How to export a clean STL for 3D printing: the right resolution settings, why units matter, and what to do when a mesh will not quote.
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