Part Quality Assessment Guide
Learn more about the benefits of our Unique Service Levels
Our Unique Service Levels
- Cost-Effective Pricing: Lower prices for orders placed directly online
- Wider Tolerance Band: Tolerances of +/-1% (minimum +/-0.5mm), suitable for less critical applications.
- Size Limitations: Maximum bounding box part size of 150x150x150mm, perfect for batch production of smaller components
- Standard Surface Finish: Cosmetic dark grey finish with bead blasting
- Flexible Aesthetic Criteria: More lenient acceptance of visual part quality, balancing function and cost. Typical machine and technology 'defects' generally accepted in the industry may be present.
- Precision and Quality: Guaranteed tolerances of +/-0.5% (minimum 0.3mm). Higher tolerances can be agreed upfront based on individual project requirements
- Large Part Capability: Accommodates larger components without compromising on quality.
- Advanced Post-Processing: Custom options including inserts, sealing, sanded surfaces, and RF shielding.
- Rapid Turnaround: Faster agreed dispatch dates for urgent projects, ensuring critical deadlines are met.
- Superior Aesthetic Standards: Stricter quality control criteria to ensure the best finish.
- Engineering Support: Dedicated consultation and technical guidance to optimise your project.
- Documentation and Compliance Support: Full dimensional reports, PPAP and Certificate of Conformities.
- Design Review: We review your design and tailor orientation and build parameters for each component to achieve optimal results.
- Access to Cutting-Edge Materials: We match the latest advanced materials and 3D printing technologies to your project’s needs.
Typical machine and technology defects generally accepted in the industry. These may occur during the printing process but do not affect the design layout, functionality or appearance. The part quality issues are categorised as Pass or Fail to ensure quality standards while allowing acceptable imperfections.
- Pass
Issues that pass our final inspection and may appear on the final product.
- Fail
Issues that will not pass our final inspection and will not appear on the final product.
graphite online
Visible streaks or straight lines on the surface.
Feeder Vane Lines
Raised line across build line.
Bubbling (MJF)
Small holes or pitted texture on top surface of the part.
Scarring / Debris In Part
Slits / tears in the sidewall of a part.
Power Banding
Horizontal stripes or bands across the surface of the part.
Orange Peel
Rough, uneven texture with pitted or bumpy appearance
Fragmentation
Fragmented lines across top or bottom surfaces of part
Triangulation
Triangles on any surface of a part.
Laser Lines
Lines across the top or bottom surfaces of a part.
Thin Walls
Walls on the part that are too thin and break easily. Holes will appear in the part or there will be missing features.
Stair Stepping
Build layer lines.
Warping
The part’s edges curl up or bend out of shape.
Elephant Skin
Irregular grooves on any face of the part, usually in patches.
Delamination
Layer separation.
Printhead Lines
Visible streaks or straight lines on the surface. They may appear slightly raised or recessed and can have different texture and sheen compared to the surrounding surface
Feeder Vane Lines
Raised line across build line.
Flaky Top
Small holes or pitted texture on top surface of the part.
Scarring/ Debris In Part
- < 10mm?
- > 10mm?
Horizontal stripes or bands across the surface of the part. These bands are caused by too much power from the laser power as it sinters each layer. Some areas might appear smoother or rougher than others due to high energy input
Fragmented lines across top or bottom surfaces of part
Triangles on the top surface of a part. Can occur when design has curves that are too sharp for the printer’s layer-by-layer process, leading to visible facets.
Walls on the part that are too thin and break easily. Holes will appear in the part or there will be missing features
A stepped or jagged look on sloped parts. The design includes angles or slopes that are too sharp for the layer-based printing process.
The part’s edges curl up or bend out of shape.
Layers peel apart or don’t stick together. The design might involve sharp changes in the surface or have thin layers that don’t bond precisely.