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igus® inc.

PO BOX 14349

East Providence

RI 02914

+1 800 521 2747
+1 401 438 7270
US(EN)

3D Printing Service and Additive Manufacturing for Wear-Resistant Parts

Upload a 3D model (STL/STEP). Select material, printing method and get pricing.



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Our 3D printing service uses powders, filaments and resins that have been proven to last up to 50 times longer than standard 3D printing materials inside moving applications. We extensively test our engineered composite plastic iglide® materials inside our 41,000 square foot test lab to ensure every 3D printed part or component offers exceptional wear resistance comparable to injection molding.  All igus® 3D printed materials and parts are low-friction, maintenance-free, and self-lubricating. We produce 3D printed components for prototypes and small batches, no minimum order quantity required!
Why choose igus?
  • Fast service, parts within 2-3 business days
  • Competitive pricing, no minimum order quantity
  • CAD Configuration tool for high design flexibility
  • Material developer & print service provider
  • FDA-compliant & ESD materials
Questions?  Check out our FAQ section

Reference the iglide® – 3D printing: Information Sheet

Browse our Manufacturing Methods

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

SLS
  • Fast production, 2-3 business days
  • Dimensional accuracy (from ±0.1mm)
  • High strength & toughness
  • Laser sintering plants in Germany, China & USA

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

FDM
  • Large selection of materials including high-temperature, FDA-compliant and ESD materials
  • Large capacity components up to 3m possible
  • Multi-material printing possible

Digital Light Processing (DLP)

DLP
  • High level of part detail
  • Isotropic mechanical properties
  • Clean and smooth surface
  • Internal channels are possible

Browse our Materials

Shop all of our 3D printing materials below.  To learn more about our materials, the testing process, etc. click here.

SLS Powder Material

SLS
  • High wear resistance and great strength for sliding applications and gears
  • Best seller in 3D printing service
  • Can be processed with suitable commercially available laser sintering machines
Browse the Shop

FDM Filament

3D Printing Filament
  • Materials for special requirements such as FDA, high-temperature & chemical resistance
  • 1.75mm and 3mm diameters
  • High wear-resistance
  • Low coefficients of friction
Browse the Shop

DLP Resin

DLP Resin
  • World's first wear-resistant DLP resin
  • 30-60x longer service life compared to conventional 3D printing resins
  • Gears with the tooth module of 0.2 possible
  • High level of detail: resolution up to 35 μm
Browse the Shop

3D Printing Service

3D Printing Service

Our 3D-printing service uses powders and filaments that have been proven to last up to 50 times longer than standard 3D-printing materials inside moving applications. All igus® 3D printed wear parts are low-friction, maintenance-free and self-lubricating.

Use the 3D Printing Service

CAD Configurator

CAD Configurator

This tool allows users to download CAD files for 3D printed bearings, gears, rollers and bar stock. Views of components appear in both 2D and 3D, and detailed product information is available. Individual designs can also be easily uploaded and configured.

Use the CAD Configurator

Discuss Your Project with a Custom Parts Expert

Whether you're interested in turnkey, fully assembled solutions or looking to build your own customizable project, let us assist you with a solution based on your specific application and requirements. Contact us via the form below or call us at (800) 521-2747 to discuss your project today!
Contact an Expert
preston contact

Engineer's Toolbox Resources

 

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q:  What is 3D printing?

    A:  The term 3D printing covers many different types of additive technology. The terms ‘additive manufacturing’ or ‘rapid prototyping’ are often used as synonyms. When 3D printing is used to make components, material is added layer by layer – as the term ‘additive’ makes clear. This differentiates 3D printing from cutting methods whereby material is removed in order to make components (subtractive method). This makes 3D printing very economical in its use of material.

  • Q:  What is a 3D printer?

    A:  A 3D printer is a machine with which a three-dimensional object can be made, for instance, by melting plastic or metal. No tools are needed. An appropriate design file (3D model or CAD file) is required for the manufacture of an object. The item is manufactured in the 3D printer based on this file.

  • Q:  How long does a 3D printed component last?

    A: The service life of a 3D printed component always depends heavily on the load and the material selected. Values such as torque, rotational speed, tensile load and compression load play a decisive role. The manufacturing process also has an influence on the durability of the component.

  • Q:  How accurately can a 3D printer print?

    A:  The accuracy of a 3D printing part depends on the respective method and the quality of the printer. The filament used and the quality of the CAD data also play a role here. Compared to injection molding or machining processes, the possible deviations are greater in 3D printing. In the injection molding of plastics, tolerances in the tenth range are possible, and in the machining of metal, worked in the hundredths. Deviation tolerance is at least 0.1 mm in most processes. Often, confusing the terms “resolution” and “tolerance” results in misunderstandings. The resolution of a Polyjet printer of only 15 μm does not, for example, mean that the tolerance is just as low. Here you have to deal carefully with the different terms.

  • Q:  How does a 3D printer work?

    A:  Basically, a 3D printer works much like a 2D printer that applies ink to a paper by means of a jet or laser. The 3D printing is an additive process in which material is gradually added layer by layer to create a three-dimensional model. There are several methods in 3D printing that work slightly differently. The starting point for 3D printing is the corresponding CAD data for the part to be printed.

  • Q:  What does additive manufacturing mean?

    A:  Additive manufacturing describes a disruptive production process in which material is applied layer by layer additively to create a physical component. The basis of the layered structure are 3D CAD design data. Components are built layer by layer instead of being subtractively machined from a bar stock (e.g., milled, turned). The production process differs fundamentally from the conservative machining fabrication methods and often results in the saving of material and weight and thereby generally avoids unnecessary waste of material. The meagre selection of material currently available in 3D printing still covers the most common material classes such as metals, plastics and composites.

  • Q:  What are the dimensional deviations in the various 3D printing?

    A:  SLA (stereolithography): ± 0.2 % (with a lower limit of ± 0.2 mm)

  • Q:  Why use wear-resistant 3D printing components made of iglide plastics?

    A:  For manufacturing with 3D printers, you can choose from a wide range of technical plastics. Tribology know-how accumulated over decades is included in the development of our polymers. That way, you can find the iglide high-performance plasticwith the perfect specifications for your application. For example for high loads, contact with food, media resistance or high temperatures. All iglide high-performance plastics do without lubrication and are tribologically optimised. That means that they have an outstanding service life and low friction.



The terms "igus", "Apiro", "chainflex", "CFRIP", "conprotect", "CTD", "drylin", "dry-tech", "dryspin", "easy chain", "e-chain", "e-chain systems", "e-ketten", "e-kettensysteme", "e-skin", "e-spool", "flizz", "ibow", "igear", "iglidur", "igubal", "kineKIT", "manus", "motion plastics", "pikchain", "plastics for longer life", "readychain", "readycable", "ReBeL", "speedigus", "triflex", "robolink", "xirodur", and "xiros" are legally protected trademarks of the igus® GmbH/ Cologne in the Federal Republic of Germany and where applicable in some foreign countries.

igus® GmbH points out that it does not sell any products of the companies Allen Bradley, B&R, Baumüller, Beckhoff, Lahr, Control Techniques, Danaher Motion, ELAU, FAGOR, FANUC, Festo, Heidenhain, Jetter, Lenze, LinMot, LTi DRiVES, Mitsibushi, NUM,Parker, Bosch Rexroth, SEW, Siemens, Stöber and all other drive manufacturers mention in this website. The products offered by igus® are those of igus® GmbH