Med 3D printing on demand we produce your parts only when you need them, in the exact quantity required. You avoid capital tied up in stock, long lead times from foreign suppliers and the risk of being left without critical components when disruptions occur in global supply chains. At AM Printservice, we manufacture locally in Sweden and deliver within days.
Traditional manufacturing models rely on high volumes, long-distance transport and just-in-time deliveries that work, until they don't. The pandemic, geopolitical tensions and transport disruptions have shown how vulnerable this model is. On-demand manufacturing with 3D printing offers a robust alternative where you retain control over your supply chain.
What is 3D printing on demand?
On demand means that production starts only when you place your order. You upload a digital CAD file, select materials and get a quote directly in our online tool. After approval, production starts immediately, and your parts are dispatched as soon as they are ready.
The technology is based on additive manufacturing, where materials are built up layer by layer. It requires no moulds, tools or extensive preparation. Each print is self-contained. It doesn't matter if you order one piece or a hundred. And because we produce locally in Sweden, both lead times and transport distances are shortened compared to importing from Asia or other continents.
With a digital stock of CAD files ready to be produced when needed, you can replace traditional warehousing entirely. Your spare parts and components are always available without taking up physical space or tying up capital.
Advantages of on-demand production
Eliminated stockpiling
Physical warehouses cost money. Rent, insurance, capital tied up and the risk of components becoming obsolete before they are used. With on-demand, you don't need to keep spare parts in stock. Instead, you keep a digital library of CAD files that can be produced within days when the need arises.
Robust supply chain
Global supply chains are vulnerable to everything from container ships getting stuck in canals to geopolitical conflicts and natural disasters. Manufacturing locally in Sweden reduces your dependence on foreign suppliers and long transport routes. AM Printservice is part of the initiative On Demand 2033 which works to strengthen the resilience of Swedish industry to supply disruptions.
Short lead times
Traditional manufacturing requires tools, moulds and extensive preparation before production can start. With 3D printing, we skip these steps. From approved order to finished part often takes just a few working days, compared to weeks or months using conventional methods.
No minimum orders
You don't need to order thousands of units to get a reasonable unit price. With on-demand, the economics are the same whether you order one, ten or a hundred parts. This makes it ideal for customised components, spare parts for older machines and products with limited demand.
Design freedom and rapid iterations
As no mould or tooling needs to be made, you can easily update the design between orders. Spot an opportunity for improvement? Update the CAD file and order the new version directly without extra costs for tooling changes.
When does on-demand pay off compared to injection moulding?
Injection moulding is still superior for large volumes, but requires expensive tooling that needs to be amortised over many thousands of units. As a rule of thumb, 3D printing on demand becomes more cost-effective than injection moulding at volumes below 200-500 units, depending on the complexity and size of the part.
On-demand is particularly well suited to early-stage products where the design is still subject to change, spare parts where demand is sporadic, and customised components that will never be produced in large volumes. Injection moulding is better suited to mature products with stable, high demand where the same design will be produced in thousands.
Materials for demanding applications
We offer 3D printing on demand in a wide range of materials, customised to your requirements for strength, heat resistance and chemical resistance.
For functional plastic parts are PA12 (nylon) our most popular choice. It combines mechanical strength with wear resistance and can withstand temperatures up to 80°C. It is suitable for everything from prototypes to end products in demanding industrial environments.
When you need extra rigidity, we offer PA12 GB with glass beads. For parts that require good impact resistance and easy post-processing ABS an excellent alternative.
Do you need components to withstand extreme stresses? Our range of 3D printing in metal gives you access to stainless steel, aluminium and titan.
Our technology
We use HP Multi Jet Fusion for plastic printing, an industrial technology that delivers parts with excellent surface finish, high detail accuracy and mechanical properties that match injection moulded components. For metal parts we use DMLS technology which melts metal powder layer by layer with a laser.
These technologies allow us to produce spare parts that not only perform as well as the originals - but often better.
Areas of use
3D printing on demand is suitable for virtually any situation where you need physical components without traditional mass production.
Spare parts for machinery and equipment
When a critical component breaks down, production stops. With on-demand, you don't need to keep spare parts in stock, you order them when the need arises. We have helped machine builder and manufacturing industry producing spare parts for machines where the original parts are no longer manufactured.
Prototyping and product development
During the development phase, speed is of the essence. With on-demand, you create physical prototypes in days instead of weeks. Test fit, function, design, and iterate quickly based on the results.
Small series and specialised components
For products with limited demand, traditional manufacturing is often too expensive. With 3D printing on demand, you produce profitably even in small volumes. We regularly deliver to companies in automotive industry, robot integration and drone manufacturing.
Standing orders and recurring deliveries
Do you have components that need to be replenished regularly? We offer standing orders where we deliver the same parts at agreed intervals. You can update the design for the next delivery at any time without the extra cost of tooling changes.
Getting started with on-demand
Ordering via AM Printservice is easy. Go to our order page, Upload your CAD file in STEP or STL format and select your materials. You will receive a quote instantly and can authorise the order with a few clicks.
Do you want to discuss a major project, set up standing orders or get advice on material selection? Contact us and we will help you. Call 010-788 83 50 or email info@amprintservice.com.
