These are real production figures. If your tolerance budget or surface-finish target falls outside what's listed below, tell us in advance - we may be able to plan orientation, material, and post-machining to hit it, but we won't claim we can without discussing the specifics.
Build volume
We have multiple printers running, with the largest single-piece build volume of 250 × 250 × 250 mm. Pieces larger than that we produce in sections and assemble - we’ll discuss the seam strategy and joining method with you before quoting.
Layer heights
| Layer height | Use case |
|---|---|
| 0.08 mm | Fine detail (miniatures, decorative pieces, surface-quality-sensitive prototypes) |
| 0.12 mm | Higher-detail prototypes |
| 0.20 mm | Standard production layer height - best balance of speed, strength, and finish |
| 0.28 mm | Faster turnaround when surface finish isn’t critical |
| 0.32 mm | Structural prints where speed matters more than appearance |
Layer height affects both surface finish and print time roughly inversely. Going from 0.20 to 0.08 mm is roughly 2.5× the print time but visibly finer surface.
Tolerances
Typical tolerance: ±0.2 mm or 0.2% of nominal dimension, whichever is larger.
This is a real number, not a marketing claim. It accounts for material shrinkage, thermal effects, and normal FDM process variation.
Tighter tolerances achievable: Yes, on critical features, with discussion in advance. We can plan print orientation around tight features, choose materials with lower shrinkage, and post-machine where appropriate. Always tell us about tight tolerances at quote time - they affect orientation and material choice, both of which are baked into the quote.
Surface finish
FDM prints have visible layer lines as a function of the process. The lines are perpendicular to the build direction, and their visibility depends on:
- Layer height. 0.08 mm shows fewer lines than 0.32 mm.
- Print orientation. Vertical surfaces show layer lines clearly; horizontal top surfaces show extrusion paths instead.
- Material. Glossy filaments emphasize lines; matte filaments hide them.
We optimise orientation for the surfaces you care about. Tell us in your inquiry which faces are visible - we’ll plan around it.
Post-processing not standard. Light support removal and edge cleanup are included. Sanding, priming, painting, vapor smoothing, and complex assembly are quoted separately if requested.
Accepted file formats
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| STL | Most common; geometry only, no units (we’ll confirm scale before printing) |
| STEP | Preserves design intent; preferred for engineering parts |
| 3MF | Modern format with units, materials, and colour data |
| OBJ | Common for sculpted models from Blender, ZBrush, etc. |
Native CAD files (Fusion 360, SolidWorks, etc.) accepted but converted to a neutral format before printing.
Print orientation considerations
Orientation affects strength, surface finish, support requirements, and print time. FDM parts are weakest along the layer-bond axis. For load-bearing parts, we’ll orient the part so loads run along (not across) the layers - sometimes that means a less attractive top surface, and we’ll flag the tradeoff.
Multi-material capabilities
Single-material per part is the standard. Multi-color or multi-material prints are possible with planning - they add cost and lead time. If you’re submitting a multi-material STL, organize the parts as separate bodies with clear material assignments.
Quality control process
Every print is visually inspected before it leaves the workshop. On batch production, we document print settings (temperature, speed, layer height, infill, orientation) so the run is reproducible. Dimensional checks on critical features are available on request - note in your inquiry which features need verified.