Frequently Asked Questions

The material properties are about 20% stronger with 3D metal printing. The exact properties of the materials can be found in our material data sheets.

420x420x400 mm (Length x Width x Height).

We recommend 0.5 mm as standard, but even thinner walls are possible.

Stainless Steel 316L (1.4404), Aluminum AlSi10Mg, Tool Steel M300 (1.2709) & Titanium Ti6Al4V. In addition, we can also offer Inconel 718 and various plastics through our network.

No this is not possible. We work with a standard metal powder in order to avoid powder mixing. This guarantees the quality of our products.

Our standard lead time is 10 working days after approval. Express delivery within a few days is also possible (in consultation).

The price mainly depends on the size and volume of the part. In addition, the surface, the order quantity and the required post-processing affect the price. For a price indication you can use our calculation tool. We will then assess this request and/or contact you to discuss printability.

After printing, the roughness Ra is 5 - 10 µm. This can be reduced to Ra 1 -3 µm using our standard post-processing techniques. Additional polishing and/or external machining can also offer roughnesses below Ra 1 µm.

This depends on the geometry of the part. Roughly the tolerance is ±0.20mm on a dimension of 100mm. For dimensions larger than 100mm, there is 0.20mm tolerance per 100mm on top. However, it is possible to achieve a lower tolerance. For this we print the model with a spare and afterwards it will be machined. 

Our standard finishing techniques are blasting and tumbling. In addition, polishing, tapping, reaming, surface treatments and CNC finishing are also possible.

Yes, please feel free to contact us via info@k3d.nl or call 0315-339432. Our engineers will be happy to assist you.

With each print, several density blocks are printed as standard and checked afterwards. Tensile strength tests are carried out in due course and/or on request. In addition, the entire printing process is a digital and automated process in which the most important parameters (such as temperature and oxygen level) are continuously monitored and logged.

Yes, this is possible in most cases. However, the screw thread must be physically modelled.

We use the SLM (Selective Laser Melting) / PBF (Powder Bed Fusion) production method. A thin layer of metal powder is placed on a building board and fused with lasers into a solid material. The build plate then lowers one print layer in order to repeat the previous steps. As a result, the product is built up layer by layer.

There are plenty of reasons to choose 3D metal printing. Listed below are a number of benefits:

  • Lightweight construction & printing
  • More compact construction & printing
  • Realize parts reduction (print assembly)
  • Complex geometries are easy to print
  • Printing Internal Cooling Channels
  • Print hinges
  • Print leaf springs
  • Print Text Engraving
  • Short turnaround
  • Local printing of a porous structure is possible (e.g. for lubrication purposes)
  • Printing on an existing part

Yes, but the existing part must be flat on top and must be able to be mounted on our building board. A part can then be printed on from the top layer.