Questions, answered before the request.

The useful answer depends on the actual part. Where that is true, we explain what the review considers instead of offering a generic promise.

The questions the rest of the page refuses to answer with a number

What tolerance can you hold?: It depends on the geometry, the material and the orientation, so it is assessed per part during technical review rather than published as a single figure. Tell us which features are fit-critical and we will tell you what is achievable on that part before anything is made.
How long will it take?: Feasibility and a timeline are confirmed by email after technical review. We do not publish a standard turnaround, because a first article in PLA and a heat-treated run in a fibre-reinforced nylon are not the same job and quoting one number for both would be a guess.
Which files do you accept?: STEP, STP, IGES, STL, 3MF and OBJ, plus 2D drawings in PDF and DXF. A solid model is better than a mesh where you have one, because it lets us adjust for fit without re-deriving your intent.
Who sees my geometry, and do you keep it?: Your files are treated as confidential, are used only to review and produce your parts, and are never reused for anything else. Some work is reviewed or sourced through assessed partners after technical assessment; where that happens the same obligation is passed on. We will sign your NDA on request.
Do you sign NDAs?: Yes. Send yours with the enquiry, or ask for ours. Either way, do not send anything you consider sensitive until the agreement is in place.
Can you copy an existing part?: We can work from a sample or a drawing to produce replacements for obsolete or discontinued components. You must have the right to have the part made, and we ask you to confirm that when you submit the request. We do not reproduce parts that are someone else's to make.
Is there a minimum order?: No. One part is a normal order, and so is a repeat run of the same file. What changes with quantity is the per-part cost, not whether we will take the job.
What drives the price?: Material, part volume and the support it needs, print time, and the amount of finishing. Geometry that packs well and needs little support is cheaper per part than the same volume in a shape that does not. We will tell you which of these your part is sensitive to.
What if a part is not right?: Tell us. If a part does not match what we agreed at review, we remake it. If the requirement changed, we will re-quote it honestly rather than argue about the original scope.
What will you not make?: Parts for safety-critical, life-support, medical, implantable, food-contact, pressure-retaining, hazardous-area or firearms applications, and flight-critical or load-bearing structure, unless separately agreed in writing. We do work with aerospace, defence, drone and robotics customers, on tooling, fixtures, ground support and non-critical components rather than on the parts whose failure is the problem. Printed polymer is not a substitute for a certified component, and we would rather say so up front.
Can I order just one part?: Yes. A single part is a normal request here. We review the same things we would for a larger run, beginning with what the part has to do, how its important features relate to the rest of the assembly, and whether the chosen material suits that use.
Can I reorder the same file?: Yes. Send the file name or the earlier enquiry details and tell us whether the geometry, material, quantity, packing or destination has changed. An unchanged file can be reviewed against the earlier route. Any revision is treated as a new part, so a small unnoticed edit does not become a quiet change in the run.
What happens when a part fails inspection?: We stop and compare the part with the review record and the requirement that was agreed before it ran. That tells us whether the issue comes from the build, the interpretation of the drawing, or a changed requirement. We explain that finding before deciding the next step, rather than sending out a part that raises a question.
How do you ship and pack parts?: Tell us where the parts are going, how they will be handled after arrival, and whether individual protection, grouping or identification matters to your workflow. We use that information to agree the packing approach with the job, because a cosmetic object, a flexible gasket and a locating jig should not be packed as if they have the same risks.
Can I visit?: Ask when you write. A visit is arranged around the purpose of the conversation, whether that is reviewing a sample, discussing a repeat run or planning a product line. We will tell you what can usefully be seen and who needs to be in the room before making the arrangement.
What does a first article mean?: It is the first made part used to confirm the agreed route against the actual geometry before a repeat order proceeds. We use it to surface questions about interfaces, orientation, material choice and the features that matter to the assembly. It is a review point, not a generic badge applied to every job.
Do you anneal parts?: Where the selected material and its documented route call for annealing, we discuss it during review and record it with the job. The decision comes from the exact material, its intended use and the geometry, not from a blanket treatment applied to every print. Drying is handled with the same material-specific approach.
Who owns the design?: You retain ownership of the file and the design you provide. We use it only to review and make the requested work. If we create new design work together, ownership and the permitted use of that work are agreed in writing before the work starts, so neither side has to infer the arrangement later.

The questions the rest of the page refuses to answer with a number

What tolerance can you hold?

It depends on the geometry, the material and the orientation, so it is assessed per part during technical review rather than published as a single figure. Tell us which features are fit-critical and we will tell you what is achievable on that part before anything is made.

How long will it take?

Feasibility and a timeline are confirmed by email after technical review. We do not publish a standard turnaround, because a first article in PLA and a heat-treated run in a fibre-reinforced nylon are not the same job and quoting one number for both would be a guess.

Which files do you accept?

STEP, STP, IGES, STL, 3MF and OBJ, plus 2D drawings in PDF and DXF. A solid model is better than a mesh where you have one, because it lets us adjust for fit without re-deriving your intent.

Who sees my geometry, and do you keep it?

Your files are treated as confidential, are used only to review and produce your parts, and are never reused for anything else. Some work is reviewed or sourced through assessed partners after technical assessment; where that happens the same obligation is passed on. We will sign your NDA on request.

Do you sign NDAs?

Yes. Send yours with the enquiry, or ask for ours. Either way, do not send anything you consider sensitive until the agreement is in place.

Can you copy an existing part?

We can work from a sample or a drawing to produce replacements for obsolete or discontinued components. You must have the right to have the part made, and we ask you to confirm that when you submit the request. We do not reproduce parts that are someone else's to make.

Is there a minimum order?

No. One part is a normal order, and so is a repeat run of the same file. What changes with quantity is the per-part cost, not whether we will take the job.

What drives the price?

Material, part volume and the support it needs, print time, and the amount of finishing. Geometry that packs well and needs little support is cheaper per part than the same volume in a shape that does not. We will tell you which of these your part is sensitive to.

What if a part is not right?

Tell us. If a part does not match what we agreed at review, we remake it. If the requirement changed, we will re-quote it honestly rather than argue about the original scope.

What will you not make?

Parts for safety-critical, life-support, medical, implantable, food-contact, pressure-retaining, hazardous-area or firearms applications, and flight-critical or load-bearing structure, unless separately agreed in writing. We do work with aerospace, defence, drone and robotics customers, on tooling, fixtures, ground support and non-critical components rather than on the parts whose failure is the problem. Printed polymer is not a substitute for a certified component, and we would rather say so up front.

Can I order just one part?

Yes. A single part is a normal request here. We review the same things we would for a larger run, beginning with what the part has to do, how its important features relate to the rest of the assembly, and whether the chosen material suits that use.

Can I reorder the same file?

Yes. Send the file name or the earlier enquiry details and tell us whether the geometry, material, quantity, packing or destination has changed. An unchanged file can be reviewed against the earlier route. Any revision is treated as a new part, so a small unnoticed edit does not become a quiet change in the run.

What happens when a part fails inspection?

We stop and compare the part with the review record and the requirement that was agreed before it ran. That tells us whether the issue comes from the build, the interpretation of the drawing, or a changed requirement. We explain that finding before deciding the next step, rather than sending out a part that raises a question.

How do you ship and pack parts?

Tell us where the parts are going, how they will be handled after arrival, and whether individual protection, grouping or identification matters to your workflow. We use that information to agree the packing approach with the job, because a cosmetic object, a flexible gasket and a locating jig should not be packed as if they have the same risks.

Can I visit?

Ask when you write. A visit is arranged around the purpose of the conversation, whether that is reviewing a sample, discussing a repeat run or planning a product line. We will tell you what can usefully be seen and who needs to be in the room before making the arrangement.

What does a first article mean?

It is the first made part used to confirm the agreed route against the actual geometry before a repeat order proceeds. We use it to surface questions about interfaces, orientation, material choice and the features that matter to the assembly. It is a review point, not a generic badge applied to every job.

Do you anneal parts?

Where the selected material and its documented route call for annealing, we discuss it during review and record it with the job. The decision comes from the exact material, its intended use and the geometry, not from a blanket treatment applied to every print. Drying is handled with the same material-specific approach.

Who owns the design?

You retain ownership of the file and the design you provide. We use it only to review and make the requested work. If we create new design work together, ownership and the permitted use of that work are agreed in writing before the work starts, so neither side has to infer the arrangement later.