Materials
What we print and cut
Not sure what to pick? Tell us what the part has to survive and we'll recommend one.
3D printing plastics
Quote in any of these| Material | Tier | Good at | Watch out for | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Commodity | Stiff, crisp detail, cheap | Softens in a hot car | Prototypes, display parts |
| PETG | Commodity | Tougher than PLA, some chemical resistance | Less crisp on fine detail | Functional parts, fixtures |
| ABS | Commodity | Tough, handles heat | Can warp on large flat parts | Enclosures, housings |
| ASA | Commodity | Like ABS, plus UV resistance | Can warp on large flat parts | Outdoor parts |
| TPU | Commodity | Flexible, abrasion resistant | Slow to print | Gaskets, bumpers, grips |
| Nylon (PA) | Engineering | Tough, wear resistant | Absorbs moisture | Gears, wear parts |
| Nylon CF | Engineering | Stiff, light, dimensionally stable | Stiffer means less forgiving | Brackets, fixtures, end-use parts |
| PETG CF | Engineering | Stiffer PETG, matte finish | Lower impact strength than plain PETG | Fixtures, covers |
| Polycarbonate | Engineering | Strong, high heat resistance | Costs more, needs an enclosure | High-temp functional parts |
Machining materials
Machining capabilities| Family | Common grades | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | 6061, 7075, 2024, 5052, 6063, MIC-6 cast plate | Plates, brackets, housings |
| Carbon and alloy steel | 1018, 1045, 1144, 12L14, 4140, 4340 | Shafts, pins, fixtures |
| Stainless steel | 303, 304, 316, 416, 17-4 PH | Corrosion-resistant hardware |
| Tool steel | A2, O1, D2 | Wear parts, dies, tooling |
| Titanium | Grade 2, Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V), Grade 9 (Ti-3Al-2.5V) | Light, strong, corrosion-resistant parts |
| Copper, brass and bronze | C110 copper, C360 brass, C932 bearing bronze, other copper alloys | Electrical, heat transfer, bushings |
| Plastics | Acetal (Delrin), nylon, UHMW, PTFE, PEEK, polycarbonate, acrylic | Wear pads, insulators, fixtures |
Other grades on request. We don't run nickel superalloys like Inconel or Hastelloy. Ask us.