How Additive Manufacturing Works
From rapid prototyping to high-volume production, additive manufacturing (3D printing) is a disruptive manufacturing technology that requires no tooling, can produce parts in a matter of days, offers design freedom and mass customization capabilities, as well as much more. With the advancement of disruptive 3D printing technologies, we can help your product team make changes during production without incurring delays or tooling modifications. Additionally, additive material and equipment technologies have evolved into a viable solution for at-scale production, achieving manufacturing production improvements that aren’t possible with traditional methods.
Our Additive Manufacturing Capabilities
For any stage and at any scale, we’re the strategic supply chain partner you can count on to deliver precision, quality, and repeatability. Our advanced 3D printing solutions for manufacturing leverage a wide range of technologies and expertise to increase your speed to market and drive efficiency at scale.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
Prototype and Production Additive Manufacturing Tolerances
| Process | Materials | X-Y Tolerances (mm) | X-Y Tolerances (inch) | Z-Tolerances (mm) | Z-Tolerances (inch) | Surface Roughness (Ra) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prototype HP Multi Fusion Cpk = 1.00 0-150mm (6 inch) Nominal (0.5% of total size above 150mm) | PA12, PA12GB, PA11, PP | ±0.76 | ±0.030 | ±0.76 | ±0.030 | 7-14 µm |
| Prototype HP Multi Fusion Cpk =1.00 0-150mm (6 inch) Nominal (0.5% of total size above 150mm) | TPU, TPA | ±1.52 | ±0.060 | ±1.52 | ±0.060 | 7-14 µm |
| Production HP Multi Jet Fusion Cpk = 1.00 0-150mm (6 inch) Nominal (0.25% of total size above 150mm) | PA12, PA12GB, PA11, PP | ±0.38 | ±0.015 | ±0.38 | ±0.015 | 7-14 µm |
| Production HP Multi Jet Fusion CpK = 1.00 0-150mm (6 inch) Nominal (0.33% of total size above 150mm) | TPA, TPU | ±0.51 | ±0.020 | ±0.51 | ±0.020 | 7-14 µm |
| Prototype Markforged FFF (Base Materials) | Onyx®, Onyx FR™, Onyx FR A™, Onyx ESD™ | Greater of ±0.25 or 0.25% | Greater of ±0.010 or 0.25% | Greater of ±0.10 or 0.15% | ±0.004 or 0.15% | 5 – 28 µm |
| Prototype Markforged CFR (Continuous Fiber Reinforced) | Base + CF, Base + CF FR, Base + Kevlar, Base + HSHT Fiberglass | Greater of ±0.25 or 0.25% | Greater of ±0.010 or 0.25% | Greater of ±0.10 or 0.15% | ±0.004 or 0.15% | 5 – 28 µm |
| Prototype Stratasys | ABS, ABS-ESD7, ANTERO 800 NA, Nylon 12 CF, Nylon 12 PA, PC, PC/ABS, Ultem 1010, Ultem 9085 | ±0.127 | ±0.005 | ±0.127 | ±0.005 | 5 – 28 µm |
The above table shows our standard tolerances for our in-house processes. By working with our engineering team, we can hold tighter tolerances depending on the component geometry and the application of secondary operations.
Why Customers Choose UPTIVE
Latest Insights
The Right Markforged Material: Base and Continuous Fibers
The Role of 3D Printing in Medical Devices
The Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing
