Glossary

3MF

STL Successor: geometry, units, and metadata in one packed file, so there is no guessing whether the model is in millimeters. The calculator measures its volume just like an STL.

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Anisotropy

Material properties that depend on test direction. For layered printing, compare X/Y and Z; the size of the difference depends on the powder or filament. For loaded parts, specify force direction and mounting. Elongation at break does not determine fatigue life.

Design principles →

Assembly clearance

Gap between parts intended to assemble after printing. In sintering, this depends mainly on the contact area and less on overall dimensions; too small a gap on a large surface will fuse the mechanism into a single mass. Starting values adhere to design principles.

Design principles →

Build batch

One SLS machine cycle: parts are stacked in a powder chamber. Geometry and the gaps between parts constrain the layout. A batch of 950 g in 16 hours is the reference used for the machine-time rate, not a chamber mass limit. The minimum order value helps cover running a partially filled batch.

Materials and price list →

Cut-off

The calculation cut-off hour is 14:00 on a working day. Confirmations after that time are counted from the next working day, using the Polish holiday calendar. A technologist confirms the production schedule for the assessed order.

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Deep dyeing

Dye penetrates the pores of a sintered part after printing. This is finishing of an existing part, not colouring throughout the material. We confirm the shade on a physical sample; abrasion resistance and the effect on critical fits require assessment for the specific part.

Deep dyeing →

DfAM

Design for Additive Manufacturing: choosing walls, clearances, orientation and finishing access for the printing process. SLS channels and moving assemblies need powder-removal access and fit checks.

Design principles →

FDM

Printing by extruding molten filament layer by layer. Geometry, orientation, material and process settings affect part properties. When a load crosses layers, review the bonds between them; price and lead time depend on the model.

Which technology to print →

HDT

Temperature at which a specimen reaches a specified deflection under a test stress. For PA12 under ASTM D648: 171 °C at 0.45 MPa and 87 °C at 1.8 MPa. Part service temperature requires a review of load, duration and geometry; HDT alone does not establish it.

Material Cards →

Indicative estimate

An indicative printing price calculated from the model and selected parameters. A technologist responds within 24 working hours. A binding quote follows review of the file and requirements.

Online Quotation →

Lead time

Time from order confirmation to shipment, counted in business days. SLS: standard 5–10 business days, shared-build 10–14 business days; priority is agreed individually. The technologist confirms the schedule. The shared-build factor does not guarantee the same reduction in the full order total.

Online Quotation →

Part dimensions

The preliminary PA12 calculator check compares the part envelope with 159.8 × 159.8 × 295.5 mm; the chamber measures 165 × 165 × 300 mm. The part needs surrounding powder. We compare sorted axes, allowing model rotation. A technologist confirms the geometry and layout; a larger part requires assessment of splitting or an individual quotation.

Machine Park →

Post-processing

Everything after removing the detail from the machine: cleaning off powder, glass bead blasting, coloring, dimensional inspection. With resin, this includes washing, curing, and support removal.

Material swatch book →

Refresh rate

Proportion of fresh powder added to sifted powder before the next batch. The manufacturer specifies this separately for each powder; for PA12 it is 30%. Without refreshing, the powder ages and surface quality declines.

Material Cards →

Reverse engineering

Recreating a CAD model from an existing part through measurement or scanning and interpretation of the design intent. Published pricing bands describe an indicative scope. A technologist agrees the scope and price before work; complex geometry needs an individual quotation.

3D Scanning →

SLA

Printing with light-cured liquid resin, here on Form 4L. An entire layer is exposed. Cycle time depends on factors including height, layer thickness and resin profile. The quotation accounts for parts, supports, finishing and a share of the platform cycle; batch pricing requires assessment of the layout.

SLA printing on Form 4L →

SLS

Selective laser sintering of powder, layer by layer. Unsintered powder surrounds and supports the part during printing. After cleaning and agreed finishing, required features are inspected; mechanical suitability depends on material, geometry and operating conditions.

Which technology to print →

STEP

Solid format exchange from CAD systems, more accurate than a triangle mesh. We do not calculate volumes automatically from it; the file goes to manual quoting, and the designer does not need to export anything.

Online Quotation →

STL

Saving the model's surface as a triangle mesh. The calculator computes volume and mass from it in the browser, and the server checks the result after file upload. STL files do not store units. If the model was created in inches, select inch conversion beside that file in the calculator.

Online Quotation →

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