3D printing technologies create opportunities for enterprises to save time and resources by facilitating rapid prototyping and low-volume production. Likewise, students, hobbyists, and engineers leverage 3D printing technologies to unleash their creativity and showcase their challenges.
But both individuals and enterprises have to overcome several challenges to make 3D printing projects successful. The high cost of machines, limited availability of materials, and complex post-processing requirements are often cited as some of the major 3D printing challenges.
3D printing service providers help both enterprises and individuals overcome these major 3D printing challenges. They help enterprise clients to overcome the lack of in-house additive manufacturing resources.At the same time, they help individuals produce a variety of items without investing in 3D printing machines and materials.
The providers customize 3D printing services according to precise project needs by combining the appropriate 3D printing machine and materials. Also, they improve print quality and ensure dimensional accuracy by deploying trained and experienced professionals. But companies vary from each other in several aspects, including the quality of 3D printing services.
You can make an additive manufacturing project successful only by partnering with the best 3D printing service provider. It is always important to shortlist companies that offer customized 3D printing services. However, you must compare the companies using a slew of parameters to select the 3D printing service provider for your next project.
9 Parameters You Should Use to Select the Best 3D Printing Service Provider
1. 3D Printing Technology
While planning a 3D printing project, you have the option to choose from many 3D printing technologies. But you must keep in mind the pros and cons of individual additive manufacturing technologies to choose the right 3D printing technology for your project.
Most 3D printing service providers allow you to choose from multiple 3D printing technologies – FDM, SLS, and SLA. Hence, you need to shortlist companies and startups that offer your choice of 3D printing service.
2. Material Options
According to your choice of 3D printing technologies, you can choose from many materials and filaments. For instance, you have to choose from different forms of powdered materials when you opt for SLS 3D printing.
Most 3D printing service providers allow clients to choose from a wide range of products while sharing project requirements. Hence, you should compare the materials or filaments supported by the provider according to your project needs.
3. Design Assistance
3D printers produce parts based on digital files created using 3D modeling software. You can use an open-source or licensed 3D modeling software to convert your ideas or needs into a digital file and share it with the 3D printing service provider.
But you need to opt for a provider that offers 3D designing and printing services if you are not proficient in 3D modeling software. The design assistance is essential to convert your ideas or requirements into a digital 3D model by experienced technicians.
4. Industry Expertise
You can ignore this parameter if you are getting 3D printing services to produce gift items, home decors, and similar non-industrial items. But you must use industry expertise as a key parameter to compare 3D printing service providers for industrial projects.
The expertise will make the provider deliver high-quality parts or prototypes that meet your project needs precisely. Hence, you should choose a provider that has experience and expertise in providing 3D printing services to enterprises in your sector.
5. Data Security
3D printing service providers require you to share your design or ideas needs in the form of STL files. You need to upload the STL file to their websites to convey your precise 3D printing needs. While uploading the STL file they allow you to specify covey various project needs by choosing the appropriate option.
But you can protect your ideas only by choosing a 3D printing service provider that uses data security protocols and advanced data encryption technologies. It is always important to evaluate the measures taken by the company to safeguard your ideas or inventions.
6. Lead Time
Some 3D printing technologies are faster than others. Likewise, certain 3D printing technologies require elaborate and complex post-processing. 3D printing service providers determine lead time based on specific project needs. You should choose a provider that delivers the 3D-printed part or product according to the project deadline set by you.
7. Price
Leading companies and startups these days offer customized 3D printing services at competitive prices. But you must remember that certain 3D printing filaments are more expensive than others. Also, post-processing activities often escalate 3D printing costs. You should compare the quotes received from multiple 3D printing service providers and compare the quotes according to your project budget.
8. Duration of Partnership
Individuals often need 3D printing services for a single project. But enterprises need 3D printing services regularly to create parts and prototypes. If you are availing of 3D printing services for a single project, you should not consider the reputation of the 3D printer service providers.
But you must consider the quality of 3D-printed parts as well as the reputation of the provider if you are planning to outsource 3D printing activities or avail of 3D printing services regularly.
9. Customer Testimonials
You can assess a provider’s reputation and the quality of parts produced by him based on information collected from various online sources. But you can assess the reputation and quality accurately only by reading customer testimonials. You can use testimonials and reviews posted by the customers as a key parameter to find the best 3D printing service provider for your project.
Conclusion
The steady growth of the global market for 3D printing products and services creates opportunities for you to choose from many 3D printing companies and startups. But you can make your project successful only by partnering with the right 3D printing service provider.
While shortlisting 3D printing service providers, you must use the predefined project requirements as the primary parameter. But you should use multiple parameters to find a provider that customizes3D printing services as well as focuses on improving the quality of the 3D printed parts.
References:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/315386/global-market-for-3d-printers/
https://manufactur3dmag.com/how-to-choose-the-right-3d-printing-service/
https://www.enggtechnique.com/resource/blog-detail/how-to-choose-right-3d-printing-services-in-india