Skrevet af
Peter HansenPeter Hansen er medstifter og 3D-print-ekspert hos 3D Industri Print. Han har over 10 års erfaring med industriel 3D-printproduktion, herunder FDM, SLS og DMLS-teknologier. Peter rådgiver virksomheder om materialevalg, tolerancer og optimering af produktionsflow med additivt fremstilling.
·
Choosing the right 3D printing partner
With dozens of 3D printing services operating in Scandinavia and hundreds more across Europe, choosing the right partner for your industrial parts can be overwhelming. Price is an obvious factor, but it’s rarely the most important one — especially for functional or production parts where quality, lead time, and communication matter more.
Here are the seven criteria we recommend evaluating when choosing a 3D printing service.
1. Technology and Material Range
Not every 3D printing service has every technology. Confirm the service offers the process you need:
- FDM — for prototypes and simple functional parts
- SLS — for functional nylon parts without support marks
- DMLS/SLM — for metal parts in steel, aluminium, titanium, or Inconel
- SLA — for high-detail resin parts and dental applications
A service with multiple technologies can recommend the optimal process for each project rather than fitting every request into the one technology they have.
2. Demonstrated Experience in Your Industry
Ask for references or examples from your sector. A service that has produced parts for aerospace, medical, or offshore applications will have the process knowledge and quality documentation required — not just the equipment.
3. Lead Time and Reliability
Ask specifically about lead times for your order size and technology. Also ask about their track record for on-time delivery. A quoted 5-day lead time that slips to 15 days in practice is worse than an honest 10-day quote.
Signs of reliable operations:
- They give you a specific production slot, not “approximately X days”
- They proactively notify you of delays
- They offer rush/express service for critical needs
4. Quality Control and Documentation
For functional and production parts, quality documentation is often mandatory. Ask:
- Do you provide material certificates (EN 10204 3.1 for metals)?
- Do you perform dimensional inspection (CMM)?
- Can you provide first article inspection reports?
- Are your processes documented for regulatory submissions (FDA, CE)?
5. Communication and Engineering Support
The best 3D printing partners do more than run your file through a machine. They review your design for printability, flag potential issues, and suggest material or geometry changes that improve the outcome.
Red flags: services that only accept files and never ask questions, or that only communicate through automated ticket systems with no direct engineering contact.
6. Location and Import Complexity
For Danish and Scandinavian customers, using a local service avoids:
- Import duties and VAT complications on shipments from outside the EU
- Long shipping times and shipping damage risk
- Difficulty resolving quality issues remotely
- Language barriers in technical discussions
A Danish or EU-based service also means invoicing in DKK/EUR, no customs delays, and direct communication in Danish or English.
7. Pricing Transparency
Reputable services provide itemized quotes showing material cost, machine time, and post-processing costs. Be wary of services that:
- Require minimum order quantities that don’t match your needs
- Add large “handling fees” not disclosed upfront
- Quote per-gram pricing that doesn’t account for support material, setup, or post-processing
Questions to Ask Any 3D Printing Service
- What tolerances can you guarantee for this geometry?
- What post-processing is included in the quoted price?
- What file formats do you accept, and can you review my design before printing?
- What are your payment terms and minimum order requirements?
- Do you offer NDA/confidentiality for sensitive designs?
3D Printing Service in Denmark
At 3D Industri Print, we offer FDM, SLS, and DMLS metal printing with in-house Danish engineering support, transparent pricing, and lead times from 3 days. We serve customers across Denmark, from startups needing a single prototype to manufacturers running production batches.
Get a quote and evaluation of your design →
