OFF THE FLOOR // TOPIC INDEX
3D Printing Guides and Field Notes
Practical FDM guidance from AIURION's San Francisco 3D printing operation, covering startup prototypes, PLA, Matte PLA, PETG Basic, PETG HF, ASA, PPA-CF carbon fiber nylon (high-temp polyamide), TPU 85A, and TPU 95A HF, printability, turnaround, enclosures, and small batches.
15 PUBLISHED ARTICLESPUBLISHED KNOWLEDGE // 3D PRINTING
Articles in this topic
3D Printed Embossing Dies for Shallow Forming Prototypes
Turn text or artwork into a shallow forming brief. Pair human process judgment with agent-prepared requirements, revision tracking, and a measurable prototype trial.
Read article →02 // 3D Printing3D Printed Workholding for Nests and Soft Jaws
Choose a fixture around the operation. Prepare the part and mounting brief, inspect supported geometry, and keep shop qualification with the printed prototype.
Read article →03 // 3D PrintingCustom Robot Gripper Jaws with TPU Contact Pads
Turn mounting measurements and contact requirements into a configurable jaw kit. Let agents organize the brief while engineers verify fit and handling.
Read article →04 // 3D PrintingOutsource 3D Printing or Buy a Printer? A Startup Decision Guide
Compare outsourcing with printer ownership across speed, operator time, cost, iteration frequency, control, and the practical hybrid model.
Read article →05 // 3D PrintingSame-Day 3D Printing for Urgent Prototype Needs
A practical guide to when same-day FDM is feasible, what determines the real turnaround, and when an urgent part needs another process.
Read article →06 // 3D PrintingWhen Not to Use Additive Manufacturing
Use this process-selection framework when material, risk, finish, tolerance, quantity, geometry, or schedule may make FDM the wrong answer.
Read article →07 // 3D PrintingUrgent Spare-Parts 3D Printing: What Can Actually Be Replaced Quickly?
A readiness check for urgent replacement parts: usable CAD, non-critical use, PLA or PETG fit, and a deadline that includes delivery.
Read article →08 // 3D PrintingFunctional Versus Display Prototypes: Choose the Right Print for the Decision
Define whether a prototype must test fit and behavior, communicate form and scale, or do both before choosing the print strategy.
Read article →09 // 3D PrintingFDM Versus SLA for Startup Prototypes
Choose FDM for practical fit checks and hardware iteration; choose SLA when fine detail and smooth small-scale presentation quality drive the decision.
Read article →10 // 3D PrintingThe PCB Enclosure Readiness Checklist
Import a KiCad board or start with measurements. Use human fit judgment and an agent-prepared brief to configure, review, and quote a matched enclosure set.
Read article →11 // 3D PrintingAdditive Bridge Production Economics: Qualify the Route, Price the Gap, Plan the Exit
Additive bridge production is not "print until tooling arrives." It is a temporary, approved production route with bounded economics and a defined exit.
Read article →12 // 3D PrintingAdditive Manufacturing vs CNC Machining: A Scope-Matched Cost Comparison
The cheaper quote is not always the cheaper production route. Compare additive and CNC with the same scope and the same time horizon.
Read article →13 // 3D PrintingWhen to Validate with a 3D-Printed Prototype Before Production
A prototype is valuable when it answers a named question at the right level of fidelity. It is waste when the team prints first and decides what to learn later.
Read article →14 // 3D PrintingWhen Is a 3D-Printed Fixture Good Enough? A Risk-Based Qualification Framework
A practical way to qualify printed workholding without inventing universal tolerance or cycle-count rules.
Read article →15 // 3D PrintingCan I Get Just One Part 3D Printed?
One part can be the right order for a fit check, design decision, or low-risk replacement. Scope the question first, then quote the actual geometry.
Read article →FROM RESEARCH TO ACTION