Solidium3D Blog

Short practical guides on industrial 3D printing, CNC machining and small batch production for Australian businesses. New articles are added regularly.

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FDM layer height comparison showing 0.1 mm, 0.15 mm and 0.2 mm

What Layer Height Should I Choose for FDM?

0.1 mm, 0.15 mm or 0.2 mm? Practical guidance on surface finish, print time and when 0.15 mm is the right default.

FDM settings | 14 July 2026

FDM infill percentage comparison showing 25% to 100% internal density

What FDM Infill Percentage Should I Choose?

25%, 50%, 75% or 100%? When walls matter more than infill, and how density affects strength, weight and price.

FDM settings | 14 July 2026

Black lattice 3D printed part on a textured print bed

Is 3D Printing Right for Your Part?

If you are choosing a manufacturing method for a new part, the fastest way to avoid wasted time and money is a quick fit check for 3D printing.

Guides | 13 December 2025

Workshop pegboard with 3D printed parts and materials

Best 3D Printing Materials: PLA vs PETG vs ABS/ASA, Nylon & PC

Choosing the best 3D printing material depends on what the part needs to survive: heat, UV, impact, flex, chemicals and more.

Guides | 13 December 2025

Workshop shelves with assorted 3D printed parts

How Much Does 3D Printing Cost in Australia? (2026 Pricing Guide)

If you are comparing suppliers or budgeting for a prototype or small batch, the biggest question is usually cost.

Guides | 13 December 2025

Grid of identical grey 3D printed industrial parts

3D Printing vs CNC Machining: Cost, Lead Time & When To Choose Each in Australia

A clear breakdown of 3D printing versus CNC for Australian businesses so you can choose the right manufacturing path.

Guides | 30 November 2025

Identical FDM enclosures printed in PC, ASA CF and ASA

PC, ASA and ASA CF for FDM Enclosures

Side by side guidance for polycarbonate, ASA and ASA CF housings: heat, UV, stiffness, finish and when to step up from PETG or ABS.

Engineering materials | 13 July 2026

Workbench covered in hundreds of small 3D printed production parts at Solidium3D

Low Volume Batch Production with 3D Printing in Australia

How Melbourne manufacturers use FDM, SLA and SLS for low volume batch production without tooling. Nesting, repeatability, lead times and when additive beats injection moulding.

Production | 12 July 2026

Black striker mount bracket beside engineering drawing and calipers

FDM Functional Brackets and Mounts for Industrial Equipment

Engineering guidance for FDM brackets and equipment mounts: material choice, wall thickness, orientation, fasteners and when to move from PETG or ABS to nylon or SLS.

Functional parts | 12 July 2026

Rows of black 3D printed clamp fixtures with fitted hardware

3D Printed Jigs and Fixtures for Manufacturing Lines

How Australian factories use 3D printed jigs, fixtures, nests and cradle clamps to cut setup time. Materials, wear faces, hardware inserts and production tips from Melbourne.

Tooling | 12 July 2026

SLS Nylon Production Parts for End Use Applications

When to specify SLS PA12 and glass filled PA12 for end use brackets, caps and nested batches. Isotropic strength, no support scars, dyeing and 10 to 15 day lead times.

SLS | 12 July 2026

Full SLA resin build plate of production parts

SLA Resin for High Detail Prototypes and Small Production Runs

SLA resin for fine features, smooth surfaces and dense build plates. Standard, Tough and High Temp resins, drainage design, wash and cure, and realistic lead times.

SLA | 12 July 2026

3D Printed Gears and Mechanisms for Functional Testing

Material and process choices for gears, pulleys, linkages and pump models. Nylon wear, clearance strategy, anisotropy limits and when SLS beats FDM for mechanisms.

Mechanisms | 12 July 2026

Flexible TPU cable conduit 3D printed in black

TPU Flexible 3D Printing for Seals, Gaskets and Conduits

Designing Shore 95A TPU parts for seals, frame gaskets, cable conduits and soft touch overlays. Wall uniformity, crush ribs and when Tough Resin is a better slight flex option.

Flexible | 12 July 2026

Apartment development architectural scale model

Architectural Scale Models with Professional 3D Printing

FDM and SLA workflows for apartment developments, precinct models, terrain relief and tower concepts. Colour strategy, sectioning large models and presentation finish.

Architecture | 12 July 2026

Black carbon nylon 3D printed impeller wheel

Carbon Fibre Nylon 3D Printing for Stiff Functional Parts

PA6 CF and PA12 CF for impellers, spars and structural plates. Orientation, moisture, stiffness versus toughness, and when glass filled SLS PA12 is the isotropic alternative.

Engineering materials | 12 July 2026

Black ABS enclosure lid held above a production batch

Product Enclosure Prototyping with FDM and SLA

Fit check lids, front panels and electronics housings before tooling. ABS and PETG for functional lids, SLA for appearance models, screw bosses and EMI adjacent design notes.

Prototypes | 12 July 2026

Vehicle accessory part 3D printed custom replacement

Custom Replacement Parts via Industrial 3D Printing

Recreate obsolete rollers, vehicle accessories and storage hardware without waiting on tooling. Reverse engineering notes, material matching and durable reprint strategies.

Replacement | 12 July 2026

Array of white PETG 3D printed channel clips

FDM vs SLA vs SLS: An Industrial Buyer Guide

Side by side process selection for Australian engineers: cost, finish, anisotropy, supports, lead times and batch economics across FDM, SLA resin and SLS nylon.

Process guide | 12 July 2026