Applications
Short production runs — no moulds, no minimums
From 10 to 1,000 units of the same part without a single euro spent on tooling. Ideal for pilot batches, product launches, geographic SKUs, and bridge production while your mould is being cut.
Tooling cost
- 1Send CAD (STEP, STL, 3MF) and target quantity
- 2We recommend process and quote fixed unit price
- 3First-off sample approved before full run
- 4Batch produced, finished and shipped
Quick answer
Short-run 3D printing is the cheapest and fastest way to produce batches of 10 to about 1,000 identical parts — because there is no injection mould to pay for or wait on. 3DadditHub uses PA12 (SLS/MJF), PC-ABS, PETG, PC and ULTEM depending on the part function. Typical tolerance is ±0.3%. First units ship in a week, full batches in 2–4 weeks.
What this covers
Where short runs make sense
Anywhere the tooling cost or lead time of injection moulding does not pay back.
- Pilot batches to validate market before committing to tooling
- Product launches with uncertain demand curves
- Geographic-specific SKUs (localised versions, small territories)
- Seasonal or limited-edition products
- Bridge production while an injection mould is being manufactured
- Discontinued products kept alive for existing customers
- Trade-show and marketing samples
- Assembly-line fixtures produced in matched sets
- Custom or personalised B2B configurations
How it works
From CAD to shipped batch
Upload & scope
Send CAD, target quantity, deadline and finishing requirements. We flag anything that will hurt cost or consistency.
Process & quote
We recommend FDM, SLS, MJF or SLA based on the part, and lock a fixed per-unit price at the target volume.
First-off sample
For runs above ~50 units we produce a validation sample, agree tolerances and finish, then release the batch.
Batch & ship
Full batch printed on matched machines, post-processed to spec, QC'd, packed and shipped to you or your 3PL.
Materials & processes
Chosen by function, not by default
- PA12 nylon (SLS / MJF) — workhorse for functional short runs, snap fits, brackets, housings
- PA12-GF glass-filled — stiffer, higher-temp version for structural batches
- PC-ABS (FDM) — impact resistance, dimensional stability, larger parts
- PETG — clear or coloured, food-safe options, cost-effective
- PC (Polycarbonate) — heat-resistant, transparent-grade optics available
- ULTEM 9085 / 1010 — aerospace-grade heat, flame and chemical resistance
- TPU 95A — flexible gaskets, bumpers, wearables
- Metal DMLS / SLM — aluminium, stainless, titanium for small metal batches
Typical case
D2C startup, 600 enclosures for launch
A consumer-electronics startup needed 600 outer enclosures for their launch. An injection mould quote came back at €18,000 in tooling plus 8 weeks lead time — with no way to change the design mid-flight if the market feedback demanded it.
We produced the 600 units in MJF PA12, dyed matte black, in 17 working days, with an effective per-unit cost roughly 40% higher than moulding but €18k lower in total spend when tooling is included. Six months later, after a design revision informed by real user feedback, we ran a second batch of 800 units with no re-tooling cost.
When to use — and when NOT to
Be honest about the crossover
Short runs win when
- Total volume is below ~500–800 identical units
- Tooling lead time would kill your launch window
- You may need design changes between batches
- Multiple SKUs / variants share a common footprint
- You need the flexibility to walk away after run 1
Injection moulding wins when
- You have proven demand above ~1,000 units/year
- The design is locked and will not change
- You need cosmetic Class-A moulded surfaces
- Cycle-time-driven unit cost is critical
- The part is a commodity in a standard resin
FAQ
Common questions about short production runs
As a rule of thumb, under 500–800 units of a small-to-medium plastic part, additive manufacturing is cheaper on total cost — because there is zero tooling (an injection mould costs €3k–30k+ and takes 4–10 weeks). Above 800–1,000 identical units, moulding usually wins on unit cost. We can model the crossover for your specific part.
Skip the mould. Ship the batch.
Tell us the part, the quantity and the deadline. Fixed unit price in 24 hours — with an honest recommendation of process and material.