Upload file
Processes
Processes Zur Kategorieübersicht
Selective laser melting
Selective laser sintering
Stereolithography
Material
Material Zur Kategorieübersicht
Metal
Plastic SLS
Plastic SLA
Contact

Process guide: which manufacturing process is right for your part?

3D printing, CNC machining or casting? The process finder and a comparison of all processes help you find out which route is right for your part.

The right manufacturing process depends on the part: on the material, the required properties, the geometry, the quantity and the requirements for surface and accuracy. Only the interplay of these factors determines whether 3D printing, CNC machining or a casting process makes technical and economic sense.

On the PROTIQ Marketplace, you will find more than 12 processes – from laser sintering and laser melting of metal to injection molding. This page helps you with the preselection. After uploading, you choose the process and material and usually see the price and production time right away; the system automatically checks whether the part fits into the build space. If you are unsure, contact us.

Process selection at a glance

Material groups
Plastics, metal, ceramics and glass
Range
more than 160 materials and more than 12 processes, additive and conventional
Key criteria
Material, requirements, geometry, quantity, surface and accuracy
Price
usually directly in the configurator, otherwise via price request
Advice
in person from the PROTIQ team

Process finder

Which process suits your part?

Answer up to four questions. The matching processes move to the top, and our assessment of your selection appears above them.

1 Which material?

2 What is the most important requirement?

This requirement does not match the selected material.

3 What is the geometry like?

4 What quantity?

Our assessment

Make your selections above. This is where you will see what matters for your choice.

Our assessment

Single part or prototype

Without tooling, 3D printing and CNC machining produce parts directly from your 3D data. If the prototype should look like the later production part, resin-based processes with a smooth surface are a good fit.

Our assessment

Small batch

3D printing remains cost-effective without tooling, and many parts are produced together in one build. Vacuum casting replicates a master model in a silicone mold.

Our assessment

High volume

For simple parts, a tooling-based process such as injection molding is usually the most cost-effective. 3D printing also pays off in series production if the part is complex, for example with internal channels or lattice structures, or if every part is different. Specify the geometry in step 3 to narrow down the selection.

Our assessment

Simple parts in high volumes

A tooling-based process is usually the most cost-effective here: injection molding for plastics, milling or turning for simple metal parts. 3D printing can bridge the time until the tool is ready or cover quantities for which a tool does not yet pay off.

Our assessment

Complex parts in high volumes

If a tool cannot reproduce the geometry, or only with great effort, 3D printing is often the best choice even for high volumes. In the powder bed, many parts are produced together in one build space. It is often worth redesigning the part for this and combining several functions in one part.

Our assessment

Every part different

For individual parts such as orthopedic aids, dental splints or personalized products, 3D printing does not need a new tool for each variant. That is why it is the first choice here, even for high volumes.

Our assessment

Large parts

How large a part can be depends on the provider’s machine. When you upload, the configurator automatically checks whether it fits into the build space. In laser sintering, parts that are too large can also be split and joined after printing.

Our assessment

Very small, delicate parts

Fine details are achieved with resin-based processes, and for metal and ceramics with LMM and LCM. You will find the minimum wall thicknesses on the process pages.

Our assessment

Tight tolerances

CNC machining is usually the most accurate. Printed parts can be machined on functional surfaces. This lets you combine a complex geometry with tight fits.

Our assessment

Heat resistance

The heat deflection temperature of a plastic is not a continuous service temperature. For permanently high temperatures, metal, ceramics or glass are an option.

Our assessment

Transparent

3D-printed glass is transparent, temperature-resistant and does not yellow. Parts made of transparent resins are usually sanded, polished or clear-coated for a clear appearance.

Our assessment

Conductive or dissipative

For electronics, there are dissipative plastics such as PA11 ESD in laser sintering or ABS-ESD in FDM. Copper from laser melting is suitable for high electrical conductivity.

Our assessment

Flame retardancy

The UL 94 classification applies to the wall thickness stated in the data sheet. Whether the finished part meets the requirements must be checked on a case-by-case basis.

Our assessment

Food contact or medical

Some materials have conformity information, for example food-grade PA11 or PA12 in laser sintering or FDM materials with information according to EU 10/2011 or ISO 10993. Whether the finished part is suitable depends on design, processing and use and must be checked on a case-by-case basis.

3D printing · Plastics Laser sintering (SLS) Load-bearing parts made of PA12, PA11, PA6, TPU or PP, also flame-retardant or dissipative, without support structures Also for series production: many parts together in the build space, without tooling Also in individual variants Minimum wall thickness 1.0 mm For simple parts in high volumes, usually more expensive than a tooling-based process To the process 3D printing · Plastics Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) Functional parts made of PA12, PA11, PP or TPU, without support structures Also for series production: many parts together in the build space, without tooling Also in individual variants Minimum wall thickness usually 1 mm For simple parts in high volumes, usually more expensive than a tooling-based process To the process 3D printing · Plastics Stereolithography (SLA) Smooth surfaces and fine details, also transparent or temperature-resistant Intended more for single parts and small batches For simple parts in high volumes, usually more expensive than a tooling-based process To the process 3D printing · Plastics CLIP / DLS Technical resins from rigid to elastic, smooth surface, also flame-retardant The build space is limited Intended more for single parts and small batches For simple parts in high volumes, usually more expensive than a tooling-based process To the process 3D printing · Plastics Hot Lithography (HL) High-performance resins: flame-retardant, electrically insulating or highly heat-resistant, walls from 0.3 mm Series production available from the provider For very large parts, another process is a better fit For simple parts in high volumes, usually more expensive than a tooling-based process To the process 3D printing · Plastics Material Jetting (PolyJet / MultiJet) Soft, silicone-like parts with Shore A 35 or A 65 Intended more for single parts and small batches For simple parts in high volumes, usually more expensive than a tooling-based process To the process 3D printing · Plastics Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Special materials: flame-retardant, fiber-reinforced, dissipative, elastic, also for larger parts Layer lines visible, walls from 0.6 mm Intended more for single parts and small batches For simple parts in high volumes, usually more expensive than a tooling-based process To the process 3D printing · Plastics Binder Jetting (BJT) Models, gauges and fixtures made of easily machinable PMMA plastic Intended more for single parts and small batches For simple parts in high volumes, usually more expensive than a tooling-based process To the process 3D printing · Metal Laser melting (SLM) Metal parts made of steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, brass or Zamak 5, among others, also with internal channels In series mainly for geometries that can hardly be produced otherwise For very delicate metal parts, LMM is a better fit For simple parts in high volumes, usually more expensive than a tooling-based process To the process 3D printing · Metal Lithography-based Metal Manufacturing (LMM) Small, delicate stainless steel parts with a smooth surface Suitable for small batches with many variants Not for medium-sized and large parts Intended more for single parts and small batches For simple parts in high volumes, usually more expensive than a tooling-based process To the process 3D printing · Ceramics & glass Ceramics (LCM) Technical ceramics: hard, temperature-resistant, electrically insulating For small parts Intended more for single parts and small batches For simple parts in high volumes, usually more expensive than a tooling-based process To the process 3D printing · Ceramics & glass Glass (LGM) Transparent parts made of quartz glass, resistant to temperature and chemicals Up to 10,000 parts per year, depending on geometry Parts up to 164 × 90 × 150 mm Wall thickness 0.8 to 5 mm For simple parts in high volumes, usually more expensive than a tooling-based process To the process Conventional CNC machining Milling and turning of metal or plastic, for simple geometries and tight tolerances Internal channels and undercuts can hardly be machined To the process Conventional Vacuum casting Small batches from a silicone mold; the master model can come from 3D printing Pays off when several parts are needed from one master model For high volumes, injection molding is usually more cost-effective Each variant would need its own silicone mold Internal channels cannot be molded To the process Conventional Injection molding Plastic parts in high volumes, with tooling The tool only pays off for high volumes The tool only pays off for high volumes Each variant would need its own tool Tooling and demolding limit the geometry To the process

of 15 processes match your selection Matching processes are shown first, the others are grayed out.

The finder is a guide and does not replace a case-by-case review. After uploading, you can see which materials are currently available in the configurator. Nothing suitable? Contact us.

↑ Back to overview

Processes compared

How do the 3D printing processes differ?

The 3D printing processes on the PROTIQ Marketplace differ mainly in material, surface and intended use. The table summarizes the most important differences; you can find details on the process pages.

Process Materials Strengths Keep in mind
Laser sintering (SLS) PA12, PA11, PA6, TPU, PP and others resilient, no support structures, complex geometries surface slightly rough, matte
Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) PA12, PA11, PP, TPU functional parts without support structures base color grayish by default
Stereolithography (SLA) synthetic resins (photopolymers) smooth surfaces, fine details support structures required
Hot Lithography (HL) high-viscosity photopolymers high-performance resins, walls from 0.3 mm support structures usually required
CLIP / DLS epoxy, PU and methacrylate resins, elastomers robust and elastic parts, smooth surface support structures required
Material Jetting (PolyJet / MultiJet) currently silicone-like materials, Shore A 35 and A 65 soft parts, 30 µm layer thickness support material required
Binder Jetting (BJT) PMMA-based plastics no support structures, easy to machine surface slightly rough
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) thermoplastics, including flame-retardant, fiber-reinforced, conductive special materials, larger parts layer lines visible, properties depend on direction
Laser melting (SLM) steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, brass, zinc alloy and others metal functional parts, internal channels support structures required
Lithography-based Metal Manufacturing (LMM) stainless steels, e.g. 316L and 17-4PH small, delicate parts, smooth surface small parts only
Ceramics (LCM) technical ceramics, e.g. ATZ hard, temperature-resistant, electrically insulating small parts, brittle
Glass (LGM) quartz glass transparent, usable up to 1,000 °C wall thickness 0.8–5 mm, tolerances ± 250 µm (uncoated)

Overview based on the process pages and datasheets on the PROTIQ Marketplace; no guaranteed properties. The supplier’s information in the ordering process or in the quote is authoritative.


Overview graphics to enlarge

Both graphics summarize the selection at a glance and serve as a rough guide. Click on a graphic to open it in full size.

Decision guide for choosing a process: processes sorted by surface, precision, design, batch size and material typeEnlarge
Decision guide for choosing a process Common processes classified by surface, precision, design, batch size and material type. The graphic shows a selection; the table above compares all processes.
Guide to 3D printing materials and processes: processes and materials by material and special propertiesEnlarge
Guide to 3D printing materials and processes Processes and materials by material and special properties – from high strength to electrical insulation.
↑ Back to overview

3D printing or conventional?

When is a conventional process the better choice?

3D printing plays to its strengths with complex geometries, prototypes and small to medium quantities because no tooling is required. Simple geometries with tight tolerances can often be milled or turned more economically, while large quantities are better suited to injection molding.

3D printing CNC machining Injection molding Vacuum casting
Tooling not required not required mold or tool required silicone mold from master model
Typical quantity single part to small series, depending on the process also series single part to medium series large quantities prototypes and small series
Geometry complex, including internal channels rather simple, prismatic or rotationally symmetrical limited by tool and demoldability limited by mold and demoldability
Tolerances depends on the process tight tolerances possible tight, depending on the tool depend on master model and casting resin
  • Zamak 5 in 3D printing For zinc parts in large quantities, die casting with tooling is cost-effective. Prototypes and small series made of the die-casting material Zamak 5 are produced by laser melting – without a die-casting tool.
↑ Back to overview

Process groups

What groups of 3D printing processes are there?

3D printing processes can be distinguished by how the material is solidified. This results in the typical strengths and limits of each group.

Powder bed

A thin layer of powder is spread out and selectively solidified – by a laser (SLS, SLM), by a printed fusing agent together with infrared light (MJF) or by a binder (Binder Jetting). The surrounding powder supports plastic parts, whereas support structures are required for laser melting of metal.

Photopolymerization

A liquid, light-curing resin is cured with light – layer by layer (SLA, Hot Lithography) or continuously (CLIP). SLA and CLIP deliver comparatively smooth surfaces and fine details; Hot Lithography processes heated, high-viscosity high-performance resins.

Lithography followed by sintering

A mixture of metal, ceramic or glass particles and a light-curing binder is exposed to light. The green part is then debound and sintered – resulting in parts made of metal, ceramics or glass.

Material jetting and extrusion

In material jetting, fine droplets are applied and cured. In extrusion (FDM), a molten filament is deposited track by track.

Multi Jet Fusion, PolyJet, MultiJet, CLIP, Digital Light Synthesis and Hot Lithography as well as other names mentioned are trademarks or names of their respective owners. They are mentioned only to describe the processes.

↑ Back to overview

Not sure which process is right?

We advise you on process, material and design and check your data for feasibility. Even if you do not have 3D data yet, we are happy to support you – from design to reverse engineering with CT.

Contact us

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about choosing a process

How do I find the right manufacturing process for my part?

First clarify the material and requirements, then geometry, quantity, surface and accuracy. The process finder on this page shows suitable processes for your input. After uploading your file, you choose the process and material in the configurator and usually see the price and production time right away.

Does the PROTIQ Marketplace only offer 3D printing?

No. In addition to numerous 3D printing processes, you will also find CNC machining, injection molding and vacuum casting as well as various finishing options.

When is 3D printing cheaper than conventional manufacturing?

Often for prototypes, spare parts, customized parts and small quantities, because no tools or molds are required. For large quantities, injection molding or die casting is usually more economical despite the tooling costs.

When should I choose 3D printing instead of CNC milling?

3D printing makes sense for complex geometries, internal channels, function integration or individual adaptations. CNC machining plays to its strengths with simple geometries and tight tolerances.

What is the difference between SLS and MJF?

Both processes produce plastic parts in a powder bed without support structures. In laser sintering, a laser melts the powder; in Multi Jet Fusion, a printed fusing agent does so together with infrared light. MJF parts are grayish by default.

Which 3D printing processes are available for metal?

On the PROTIQ Marketplace, selective laser melting (SLM) is the obvious choice for metal functional parts. For small, delicate stainless steel parts, Lithography-based Metal Manufacturing (LMM) is suitable.

Why do prices differ between processes?

The price depends on factors such as the process, material, part volume, geometry, quantity and finishing. That is why the same part can cost different amounts depending on the process. In the configurator, you can compare the available offers directly.

↑ Back to overview

More information