I need a custom part: the easiest way to get one made
What to do when you need a part that does not exist, with or without a 3D file. The three routes, what each costs, and which to pick.
Something has broken, or you need a bracket nobody makes. Ten years ago that meant finding a workshop, asking for a quote and waiting a week for someone to reply. Today there are three routes, and which one applies depends on a single thing: whether you have a 3D file.
Route 1: you already have the file
The fastest. Upload it to the configurator, pick a material and the price is on screen — no account, no waiting for anyone. We take STL, OBJ and 3MF, which is what every CAD package exports. If you work in STEP, F3D or SolidWorks, send it over and we convert it free.
Route 2: you have the broken part, but no file
The practical route is dimensioned photos: the part next to a caliper or ruler, from three angles, with the critical measurements noted. From that we model the part and quote the design work before starting. For simple geometry — a bracket, a cover, a spacer — it is usually an afternoon.
Route 3: you only have the idea
A paper sketch with rough dimensions is enough to start the conversation. We will tell you plainly whether 3D printing is the right technique: for a one-off or a short run it almost always is, but if you need a thousand units or a load-bearing metal part, we will say so and save you the money.
How long each route takes
| Starting point | To a quote | To the part |
|---|---|---|
| 3D file ready | Seconds | 3-5 working days |
| Dimensioned photos | Same working day | 4-7 working days |
| Just a sketch | Same working day | Depends on the design |
In all three cases the minimum order is the same, and if your part comes in below it the configurator offers you more units for nearly the same money rather than charging the minimum for one.