3d printing SERVICE | Online Parts
Delivering world-class SLA, SLS, FDM, MJF and DMLS 3D Printed parts in as little as 3 days. You’ll receive the perfect 3D printed parts – the first time, every time.
OUR PROCESS
Order high-quality 3D Printed parts online
At Geomiq, we’re proud to partner with 260+ experienced and highly vetted manufacturers, who have a proven track record of making high-quality, high-precision 3D Printed parts for customers all over the globe. With our partners’ expertise, access to 120+ of the latest 3D printers, our engineers’ attention to detail and our entire team’s commitment to exceptional quality assurance at every stage, you can rest assured that with Geomiq, you’ll receive the perfect 3D Printed parts – the first time, every time.
OUR 3D PRINTING CAPABILITIES
Direct Metal Laser Sintering
We’re proud to cater for all of your high-precision DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) needs for the most demanding applications.
Fused Deposition Modelling
For the best results in the business, trust Geomiq with your next FDM project.
HP Multi-Jet Fusion
Our HP Multi-Jet Fusion 3D Printing service produces only the highest quality and consistent nylon parts using innovative InkJet technology
Selective Laser Sintering
Discover how Geomiq can help you with SLS (Selective Laser Sintering); the favourite 3D Printing technique for many industrial applications.
Stereolithography
SLA (Stereolithography) is an additive manufacturing process that offers unrivalled detail and surface quality.
WHY ORDER 3D PRINTED PARTS FROM GEOMIQ?
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Rapid turnaround
We’re committed to reducing friction at every stage, so you can be as delighted with the speed of your 3D Printed parts’ arrival as you are with their exceptional quality. Order now to receive your parts in as little as 3 days!
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Complex geometry
All of our partners’ 3D Printing technologies allow you to produce parts with virtually any geometry, and our tolerances are typically +/- 0.127mm.
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Unmatched durability
3D Printing produces durable and impact-resistant parts that are suitable for a multitude of prototype testing or end-use applications, and ready to delight.
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Catering to a wide range of industries
From aerospace and energy products to electronics and automotive goods, we’re proud to deliver immaculate 3D Printed parts for any and every industry.
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A wide variety of materials and colours
We only offer the best plastic and metal 3D Printing materials and technologies, and can guarantee that you’ll be happy with the quality of each part you receive. Expect nothing less than commercial grade materials, such as PA2200, PA12 – and so much more.
Quality assurance at every stage
We’re committed to providing the best quality assurance in the business. We employ highly skilled engineers to triple-check all of your files and parts from initial quote to final inspection – ensuring that you’re happy with your results the first time, every time.
From prototype to production in days
At Geomiq, we know your time is valuable – and we’re passionate about helping you save more of it. When you upload your files, we’ll get you a quote within one business day – and our network of highly experienced partners will ensure the finished 3D Printed parts are of the highest quality possible.
Leverage the expertise of our global partner network
We partner with 260+ highly vetted and experienced manufacturers from 50+ different countries, so that you can benefit from more options, greater capabilities and the highest standards in the world – all from a single access point.
3D Printing materials
DMLS
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As the third most common naturally occurring element on the earth’s surface, aluminium is used in 3D printing due to its strength and versatility. It has the advantage of being very lightweight and can handle precise details of 0.25mm. The 3D printing service works by using aluminium powder sintered together with a powerful laser and is a good choice for creating both functional and spare parts. It is also commonly used in manufacturing jewellery.
Stainless steel has a wide variety of applications and is widely used within the mould-making industry. The main advantage of stainless steel is that its properties can be easily adjusted to exact specifications by adding alloy constituents. The material is highly affordable and can be used to produce large components due to its strength. Our 3D printing service produces stainless steel parts that are durable, lightweight, and highly heat resistant.
Maraging steel is a stainless-steel alloy used for its enhanced physical properties. The material contains up to 25% nickel, which allows for an improvement in its strength and toughness without compromising steel’s natural ductility. Combined with a reliable 3D printing service, maraging steel can produce tool components for high-performance industrial and engineering applications. It is particularly popular within the aerospace and motorsport industries.
Titanium is a popular choice of material across all major 3D printing services due to its excellent strength to weight ratio and high resistance to corrosion. Popular applications of the material are medical implants and automotive parts. Using a 3D printing service to produce titanium components can help you create a variety of complex structures, such as lattices and other highly intricate and detailed moving parts.
Cobalt chrome is an additive manufacturing alloy commonly used for the production of parts in the medical and dental industries. The other main advantages are its heat and corrosion resistance, which makes it a highly biocompatible material. Due to its hardness, the material is usually cast rather than machined. A 3D printing service is used to create the cast, which is then used in producing the final product made from cobalt chrome.
Inconel 625 is a nickel-based superalloy used to produce materials suitable for exposure to high temperatures and rapid temperature fluctuation. It is also highly corrosion-resistant. Using a 3D printing service to produce parts from Inconel 625 has traditionally been costly but is now gradually becoming more widespread in manufacturing across a variety of industries.
Inconel 718 is a popular choice for producing parts for aircraft engine components or chemical processing environments. It is best suited to the manufacture of materials with service temperatures up to 650°C and for the manufacture of ductwork, valves, and heat exchangers. These components can be reliably and efficiently produced using a specialised 3D printing service.
FDM
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Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a thermoplastic polymer, commonly used in FDM 3D printing services, which are most suited for personal manufacturing processes. ABS can be used easily with desktop 3D printing and has the advantage of being lightweight, and highly affordable. It also has good impact strength, and a glass transition temperature of around 105°C, making it safe for household use.
Polylactic acid (PLA) is a renewable thermoplastic material, commonly made from corn starch, tapioca roots, or sugar cane. Due to its origins as a natural material, it is a common choice for 3D printing services used for medical applications or within the food industry. PLA is an excellent choice for beginners in 3D printing, and has a greater resistance to heat than ABS, although it is not as flexible. The post-processing stage of the manufacturing process is fairly simple, making it an ideal choice for projects without complex mechanical requirements.
HP Multi-Jet Fusion:
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PA12 Nylon is an excellent choice as a manufacturing material if you require strong parts with a degree of flexibility. It can be used in 3D printing services with a standard resolution of 100 - 150µm, or a high definition of 60µm. With thin objects PA12 Nylon retains a high degree of flexibility, making it a useful choice for designs with enclosed or interlocking parts. It also offers a wide range of colour and finish options, although the most cost-effective design choice is a raw state, which also allows for the production of larger components.
SLS
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PA2200 is a polyamide that appears as a white powder. It is a popular manufacturing material for use in 3D printing services as it balances a high degree of mechanical strength with both flexibility and heat resistance. It offers great chemical resistance and can be biocompatible at certain levels, making it ideal for use within the manufacture of medical parts.
SLA
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Stereolithography (SLA) is a manufacturing process used in 3D printing services in which the layers are created using an ultraviolet laser aimed at the surface of a molten thermoset resin. It is ideal for the quick manufacture of prototype and concept parts. Black resin is a popular choice for its neutral colour. Other ideal characteristics to look for are low odour, a quick curing time, and low shrinkage.
Castable resins are an ideal choice of material for the creation of jewellery of dental parts using a 3D printing service. Its main advantages are faster iteration and lower costs through the production process. The thickness of the material is highly customisable, which makes it a great choice for the creation of wearable materials with a high level of detail, such as rings or bangles.
SLA 3D printing services have the major advantage of being compatible with clear resins, which are excellent for creating translucent parts. These allow internal details and cavities to be viewed, meaning that this manufacturing option is often ideally suited to prototype designs. Clear resins have a variety of applications within 3D printing services, including optics, light pipes and fluidics.
Grey resin is a suitable choice when using 3D printing services to manufacture models requiring a high level of visible detail, but limited functionality. It is not recommended for use in designs with moving or interlocking parts. It can also be used as a base for materials that will later have colours and finishes added on top.
Tough resin mimics the properties of ABS plastic and is ideal for the manufacture of parts subject to high degrees of mechanical strain and stress. It has printing capabilities of 50 - 100 microns, making it ideal for creating prototypes with functional parts. Due to its mechanical properties, it can be more difficult to work with than standard resins, meaning that it is best to use in conjunction with a professional 3D printing service.
Similar to black and grey resins, white resin is a popular choice for printing basic 3D prototype models that can later be painted over or subjected to other design enhancements. Depending on the resin used, it can be presented without the need for finishing or post-processing, making it an efficient and inexpensive design option.
3D Printing sizes
We’re here to help you get the perfect mechanical parts every time; supporting you from the start to the end of your journey. To help you get started, let’s break down some basic sizing guidelines. Your mechanical parts can be 3D Printed in the following sizes:
- SLS: Up to 600 x 350 x 560mm
- MJF: Up to 380 x 284 x 380 mm
- SLA: Up to 480 x 480 x 560 mm
- FDM: Up to 600 mm x 900 mm x 900 mm
- DLS: Up to 119 mm x 189 mm x 300 mm
- DMLS: Up to 250 mm x 250 mm x 325 mm
WHAT IS 3D PRINTING?
3D Printing is a form of additive manufacturing whereby three-dimensional objects are created layer-by-layer using 3D object scanners or CAD (computer aided design). 3D Printing uses materials such as plastic filaments (FDM), resins (SLA/DLP), plastic or metal powders (SLS/DMLS/SLM) to create each part, and is the most popular method for rapid prototyping due to its speed, cost-effectiveness (for low volumes of parts), its ability to handle high levels of geometric complexity and its environmental friendliness.
OUR 3D PRINTING GALLERY
How much does 3D printing cost?
When choosing a 3D printing service, one of the most important factors for buyers is the cost associated with the manufacturing process. When determining the exact cost, a 3D model from a CAD file must be used. The information from the file is analysed to determine the most cost-effective service suited to your needs. Getting a quote is fast, easy, and free and is based on previous orders so that you can be assured you are getting a high-quality 3D printing service at a competitive price.
Ultimately, the price of a 3D printing service depends on a range of factors, which are highly variable from order to order. The material used, the model size and complexity, and the labour involved in the manufacturing process are key factors all affecting the cost of the service.
At Geomiq, we believe online 3D printing services should be simple. That’s why we’re committed to providing an accurate and fast quote upfront. When you use our platform, you’ll be sure that you always know the exact price of the service you choose, without any hidden charges or surprise costs.
Rather than seeking out multiple manufacturers, we focus on connecting engineers with the best partners for the job. Upload your parts, and receive a fast, free quote for a 3D printing service today.
Advantages and Disadvantages of 3D Printing
No matter what your manufacturing requirements, you want to be aware of the pros and cons of using 3D printing for producing your parts.
Advantages
- Highly flexible: 3D printing services have come on greatly in recent years and can produce complex and intricate designs. The automation of the process means there is a greater range of manufacturing options compared to traditional methods.
- Speed of production: 3D printing services can be used to produce complex designs in hours, which is more efficient compared to moulding or machining. The use of CAD files as part of the online 3D printing service also greatly speeds up part production.
- On-demand production: One of the major advantages of using a 3D printing service is that you are not required to stock an inventory or print in bulk. Designs can be stored and retained virtually, meaning that you can easily optimise your parts and manufacture what you need when you need it.
- Strong and lightweight results: The service can be optimised for use with a huge range of materials, meaning that you can produce parts suitable for a wide variety of applications. Using a 3D printing service also allows you to tailor materials for lightness, and heat and corrosion resistance.
- Cost-efficient: Using a 3D printing service is one of the most cost-effective ways of manufacturing complex parts. This is due to the fact that it is a single-step process, as the machines can run unaided without the need for an operator.
Disadvantages
- Limited materials: Although the range of materials suitable for 3D printing services is expanding, there are still many metals and plastics that cannot be temperature controlled enough for the manufacturing process.
- Size limitations: 3D printing services are limited by the dimensions of the chambers used in the machines, meaning there is a size limitation on the designs that can be manufactured. Larger parts must be printed separately and joined together.
- Less suited to mass production: 3D printing services have a static cost, which is not easily scaled up for mass production. Unlike other manufacturing methods, the process does not benefit from economies of scale with an increased number of units.
- Scope for structural errors: While largely hugely reliable, the process can give rise to errors. 3D printing services produce parts layer-by-layer, and these layers can, on occasion, delaminate under stress or a change in orientation.
- Additional post-processing costs: A 3D printing service has the advantage of fast production speeds. However, the production time does not account for post-processing procedures. Parts often require removal of support material and finishing to achieve the final result, which can increase the overall cost of creating the required designs.
How does 3D printing work?
A 3D printing service is a fast and effective way to easily create a physical model or prototype using a machine similar to a traditional inkjet printer. The process works by building up a three-dimensional model from a CAD file designed on a computer. The CAD file specifies the physical details of the model and is then read by the machine. A 3D printing service works by building up the finished product in layers, working from the bottom of the model to the top, and repeating the production of each layer over the same surface.
This method is known as functional depositional modelling (FDM) and typically takes place entirely automatically over a couple of hours. 3D printing can be thought of as creating lots of multiple two-dimensional layers stacked atop each other. The process uses molten plastic or powder materials to create the model. The materials are repeatedly fused together on top of the existing structure, using either an adhesive or powerful ultraviolet light.
3D printing services can play a role in almost any industry. The main advantage of using a 3D printing service is the design flexibility it allows. Advanced services use carbon fibres and metallic powders to create durable industrial products and components.
When creating a prototype or other test device, companies commonly look to use a 3D printing service as a fast and accurate method of producing their models. Compared to producing models by hand, it has the advantage of producing a physical part within mere hours. It also avoids labour costs, as the service is entirely automated. Alongside prototyping, 3D printing services are increasingly being employed in rapid manufacturing and are particularly useful for small batches or short runs of custom parts, tools, and devices.
This method is known as functional depositional modelling (FDM) and typically takes place entirely automatically over a couple of hours. 3D printing can be thought of as creating lots of multiple two-dimensional layers stacked atop each other. The process uses molten plastic or powder materials to create the model. The materials are repeatedly fused together on top of the existing structure, using either an adhesive or powerful ultraviolet light.
3D printing services can play a role in almost any industry. The main advantage of using a 3D printing service is the design flexibility it allows. Advanced services use carbon fibres and metallic powders to create durable industrial products and components.
When creating a prototype or other test device, companies commonly look to use a 3D printing service as a fast and accurate method of producing their models. Compared to producing models by hand, it has the advantage of producing a physical part within mere hours. It also avoids labour costs, as the service is entirely automated. Alongside prototyping, 3D printing services are increasingly being employed in rapid manufacturing and are particularly useful for small batches or short runs of custom parts, tools, and devices.
General Principles of 3D Printing
Modelling
In order to use a 3D printing service, you must create a model using CAD software. It is then sliced into layers to manufacture the final result. This allows the printer to be instructed on how to move to build up the layers. The slicing process can also tell a printer how to fill an object, which allows internal lattices and columns to be designed to strengthen the final design.
Printing
Once the model has been sliced into layers readable by the 3D printer, it is then manufactured. The resolution used can vary, but the typical thickness of each layer is around 100 micrometres. The duration of the service takes anywhere from a few hours to a few days depending on the model’s size and detail.
Finishing
Often during 3D printing, a slightly oversized model will be produced. This is followed by a higher-resolution subtractive process, which acts as a final finishing of the model. The overall effect of finishing largely depends on the orientation of the part during its manufacture. Some 3D printing services also use internal supports during the initial stages of the process. These are generally then removed as part of finishing.
Materials
Early-stage 3D printing services were largely reliant on polymer materials due to their ease of use. However, nowadays, metallic powders and ceramics are increasingly used to produce stronger parts and components. As a result, the range of applications for 3D printing has significantly grown, and demand across many industries has increased.
Multi-material 3D printing
As they work in layers, 3D printing machines are only capable of printing a single object at a time. This limits many potential applications and the creation of more complex objects manufactured from composite materials. Multi-material services use different materials specified for each 3D printing pixel, allowing complex, heterogeneous objects to be produced. This process is still in the development stage but has already been successfully applied within the medical industry.
4D printing
4D printing is a type of manufacturing process arising from multi-material services. This is an additive 3D printing service in which the shape of the object changes with either time, temperature, or some other variable. The process is still in its infancy, but it is hoped that the service can eventually be applied to produce advanced components with shape-changing or shape-memory properties.
3D printing applications
A 3D printing service can be used within almost any industry, as demonstrated by its popularity and growth in recent years. Lowered costs, improved technologies, and streamlined manufacturing processes have made what was once a costly and time-consuming service more accessible and widely favoured by engineers around the world.
Prototyping and manufacturing
The original application of a 3D printing service was for prototyping models of new designs and components. Before the widespread popularity and accessibility of the process, manufacturers had to rely on injection moulding, which often took weeks to deliver results. The nature of prototypes means that they are frequently subject to design changes and iterations, which is highly impractical without the use of rapid and cost-effective processes.
Today, 3D printing reduces lead times to mere hours rather than weeks. A prototype model can be produced at a fraction of the cost than when using other traditional manufacturing methods.
Aerospace
3D printing services have been used within the aerospace industry since as the 1980s, and provide manufacturers with both reliable technical production and consistent results, alongside the flexibility for new innovations and design developments. 3D printing is particularly useful for the creation of intricate technical fixtures such as jugs, gauges, and templates, alongside producing high-level prototypes. The technology offers low cost manufacturing of lighter, and more efficient aircraft components, such as engine parts, structural brackets, and interior fixtures such as cockpit dashboards and door handles.
Robotics
Industrial robotics is one of the newest and most exciting industries that 3D printing services are helping to grow and transform. Combining 3D printing technologies with robotic manufacturing allows companies to create large components with high accuracy and precision, leading to a higher degree of automation.
One industrial application is the combination of 3D printing and industrial robots to automate the replacement of a printer’s build plate. This was previously a manual part of the operation process, but combined with robotics, this allows great productivity from the 3D printing service.This kind of manufacturing process is becoming known as ‘smart manufacturing.’
Medical and Health Industries
One of the major advantages of using a 3D printing service is the wide range of materials available for producing components. The medical sector is one of the industries where the choice of material used in the manufacturing service is of utmost importance, as it is crucial that the parts produced are compatible with biological tissue.
3D printing services are particularly invaluable in the creation of medical prosthetics, particularly for juvenile patients who previously had to wait for the creation of devices they would not outgrow. Due to the speed and efficiency of modern manufacturing, it is now possible to design new prosthetics every few months, leading to a great improvement in a patient’s quality of life.
Construction
3D printing services are commonly used within the construction industry for producing industrial components or fabricating building parts. The most widespread applications within the industry are extrusion, powder bonding, and additive welding. The main advantages of using the service within the construction industry are the enhanced accuracy, rapid production time, and reduced cost due to the high degree of automation involved in the process.
Transportation
The transportation industry is in a state of constant change, and 3D printing has a valuable role to play in its transformation. Using a 3D printing service provides transportation planners with new solutions and innovation opportunities, such as designing and producing facilities and components that had previously been too expensive or complex to manufacture within a realistic timeframe.
3D printing services could soon be used to design small bridges and bus shelters near their intended locations and in such a way that they better fit into the environment without compromising structural integrity. It could also be used to create composite wraps to strengthen bridge structures and reduce replacement costs.
Education
3D printing services are becoming more widely used within schools and other educational environments, as the rapid prototyping they provide allows students to easily produce models they can physically touch and hold.
Nowadays, it is common for schools, public libraries, and universities to have an in-house 3D printing service. This is particularly beneficial in STEM education, as it allows students to learn about prototyping first-hand and provides low-cost and high-quality manufacture of scientific tools and equipment. Companies are even offering courses on the manufacturing process for both students and educators looking to enhance their education and teaching methods. The fields of study where 3D printing provides the most educational benefits are graphic design, biology, chemistry, engineering, and architecture.
Food industry
3D printing services are becoming more widespread within the food industry, particularly for food that is commonly manufactured in bulk and with many repeating units. A 3D printing service best lends itself to a manufacturing method known as additive manufacturing, in which the food is built up into three dimensions from 2D layers. The technique is particularly applicable to chocolate, sweets, pasta, pizza, and crackers.
The scope for the application of 3D printing services in the food industry is still being developed and investigated. NASA is currently studying the use of the process to produce food within space and is also exploring its ability to reduce food waste.
