3D Printing 101

3D printing feels a bit like science fiction. You take a digital file, press a button, and a physical object appears. But as anyone who runs a shop will tell you, it’s not always the "magic wand" people expect.

Cad and Cuts | 3D Printing 101: When is it the 'Right Tool' to your project?

When Is It the Right Tool for Your Project?

In our shop, we often hear the same question: "Can you 3D print this?" The answer is almost always yes—but the more important question is should we? While 3D printing feels like magic, it is just one tool in our fabrication arsenal. Knowing when to use it (and when to pivot to laser cutting or CNC) can save you money and ensure your part actually works.

What is 3D Printing, Exactly?

At its core, 3D printing is Additive Manufacturing. Unlike traditional methods that carve a shape out of a block (subtractive), a 3D printer builds your object layer by layer from the ground up.

The Basic Workflow

  1. Design a 3D model (or get one made)

  2. Slice the model into thin layers using software

  3. The printer deposits or cures material layer by layer

  4. The finished object is removed and post-processed if needed

What Can 3D Printing Do Well?

1. Rapid Prototyping

You can go from idea → physical part in hours instead of weeks. This is ideal for:

  • Product testing

  • Fit checks

  • Design iterations

2. Complex Shapes

3D printing allows shapes that are difficult or impossible with traditional manufacturing:

  • Internal channels

  • Organic curves

  • Lightweight lattice structures

3. Custom & One-Off Parts

No molds or tooling required. This makes it perfect for:

  • Custom enclosures

  • Replacement parts

  • Personalized designs

  • Small production runs

4. Cost-Effective for Small Quantities

For low-volume production, 3D printing is often cheaper than machining or injection molding.

When You Might Want to Reconsider

As much as we love our printers, they aren't always the right choice. Here is when we might suggest a different path:

  • When Speed is King: 3D printing is slow for bulk items. If you need 500 simple flat washers by tomorrow, subtractive manufacturing will finish them in hours or minutes, while a 3D printer might take days.

  • Large, Flat Surfaces: 3D printers struggle with huge, thin, flat panels—they tend to warp. Also, the bed size is much limited than other manufacturing methods.

  • Maximum Strength: Because 3D prints are made of layers, they have a "grain." They are generally weaker when pulled apart along those layer lines. If you need an industrial-strength part that will be under heavy stress, we might suggest a different material or orientation.

The bottomline

3D printing is the ultimate tool for innovation and repair. It’s for the "un-buyable" things.

Got an idea but not sure if it's "printable"?

The easiest way to find out is to ask!

At Cad And Cuts, we help bridge the gap between ideas and physical reality, whether that means refining your design or choosing the right manufacturing method.

You don't need a fancy CAD file to start—even a photo of the broken part or a sketch on a napkin is enough for us to tell you if it's a good fit.