3D Printing Service
Located in Delft, The Netherlands
Professional design and 3D printing services in Delft for students, start-ups, and companies, focused on prototyping and functional end-use parts. We provide prototyping and product support, with guidance on design choices, material selection, and print strategy.
We specialize in advanced materials, including carbon fiber–reinforced filaments, for stiff and functional applications. Next to that, we offer a wide material selection, including ASA foam, TPU and other technical filaments, whichever fits your application requirements.
Experience rooted in engineering and education, applied to reliable prints for both academic and professional projects.
3D printing specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Technology | Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) |
| Extruder (diameter) [mm] | 0.2 – 0.4 – 0.6 (Detailed – normal – efficiency) |
| Build Volume (XYZ) [mm] | 256 x 256 x 256 |
| Layer resolution [mm] | 0.08 – 0.4 |
| Acceptable tolerances [mm] | +-0.20 |
| Color customization | 4 colors at a time |
| Supported file formats | .STEP, .STL and .OBJ (.STEP preferred) |
Multi color and/or material 3D Printing
Automated multi-color printing allows functional parts to be produced directly in multiple colors, eliminating the need for painting or post-processing. This results in cleaner finishes, consistent quality, lower costs, and shorter lead times, especially for prototypes and small production runs.
Good-to-knows before manufacturing:
Design & file preparation
What file formats do you accept for 3D models? (e.g., STL, STEP, 3MF?)
We accept .STL, .STEP and .3MF files. We prefer the .STEP files due to its ease of use and accuracy.
Is there a preferred wall thickness or minimum feature size I should design for?
Your wall thickness should always approach a multiplication of the nozzle diameter (use 0.4 mm unless otherwise discussed) used during printing. Smart designers takes this fundamental aspect of 3D printing into account.
The nozzle diameter is also crucial for the minimum feature size. The size cannot be smaller than the nozzle diameter. Smaller features sizes require smaller nozzles (0.2 mm is the smallest we have In-House). For products that require smaller features, we will happily guide you to a partner who can produce that for you with a different manufacturing technology.
Do you offer design-for-print feedback if I’m unsure my part is printable?
We always perform a technical analysis before starting a print. During this analysis we check for printability. If we find something concerning, we will provide you with our findings and a proposal to solve the issue.
Do you accept assemblies or multi-part models, or only single-part files?
Our preference is single-part files. This is easiest to manage for manufacturing. We can accept assemblies or multi-part models, but we might come back to you with the problem that we cannot separate objects for printing.
Important to note: We can perform a lot of tricks to make your order work. We will always ask you first whether an edit or alteration is acceptable for printability.
Can you help convert CAD files to printable formats if needed?
yes, we can help convert file formats. Shoot us a message if this applies to you.
Material selection
Which materials do you offer, and what are their mechanical properties?
See our Materials page. For detailed mechanical properties, contact us directly. For long term material support, consider our consultancy program for additional help.
Can you help me choose between materials like PLA, PETG, ASA, Nylon, or CF-reinforced options for my application?
Absolutely, in our consultancy program we can provide you with the material help you need. This is especially interesting for multi-material applications, such as where soft and rigid materials must be combined into one printed product.
Careful consideration of mechanical, thermal and environmental properties can mean a world of difference for a product.
Print Quality & Tolerances
What dimensional tolerances can I expect from your prints?
You can expect parts to fit smoothly with a 0.2 mm tolerance. We aim for a +-0.1 mm tolerance.
Can I request specific surface finishes or strength-oriented settings (e.g., solid infill, thicker walls)?
Absolutely, when discussing your needs for manufacturing in the Request for Print process, this will be taken into account.
Are your prints suited for end-use parts or just prototypes?
3D printed end-use parts are becoming normal throughout different industries. The decision to use this manufacturing method only for prototypes or also for end-use parts is mainly application-based.
When deciding to use 3D printing as end-use parts, consider the following:
- Mechanical strength: can the printed product withstand operation use (e.g. load-bearing, impact)?
- Thermal requirements: can the printed product withstand operation temperatures (e.g. freezing, high temperatures)?
- Chemical requirements: can the printed product withstand contact with chemicals (e.g. fuel, acid)?
- Electrical requirements: is the printed product suitable for the system (e.g. shorting, melting)?
- Surface finish: What is the required/desired surface finish?
- Hygiene: Does your application need to be sterile?
- Food: Does your application need to be food-save?
We can provide information on all these topics and more.
Do you support printing functional threads, snap fits, or press fits??
Yes, let’s chat to find out what you need.
Post-Processing & Finish
Do you offer post-processing services like sanding, vapor smoothing, or painting?
We mainly offer support and artifact removal. We offer sanding. Further post-processing can be discussed and implemented.
Is support removal included, or will the print be delivered as-is?
Unless otherwise agreed upon, we remove support material prior to shipping. You will get the finished product as standard.
Can you provide assembled prints or bond multiple parts if needed?
We provide assembly services post-production. This is an additional cost.
Logistics & Timeline
What’s your typical lead time for a single part? For batches?
The lead time of a part depends on its geometry, material choice and specifics. We provide accurate lead times for every project, small or large.
Can you handle urgent jobs or overnight prints?
Tight deadlines are our specialty. Do not hesitate to shoot us a print request and we will get right on it.
Do you offer batch printing or small production runs?
Both, production numbers are fully depended on your requirements and desires. We can handle it.
Do you ship, or is pickup required?
We ship the products directly to your destination. We use standard PostNL for shipping.