Frequently asked questions about 3D printing, small batches & custom manufacturing

FyDa Printwerk is a father-and-son business run by Fynn and Daniel, based in Seltz, Alsace. We work in 3D printing, individual manufacturing solutions, prototypes, spare parts, personalised products and small batches for businesses and private customers.

One focus is flexible B2B solutions for companies that need small or medium quantities without wanting to invest straight away in conventional tooling or large production runs.

At FyDa Printwerk, manufacturing takes place in Seltz, Alsace, France.

Thanks to our location near the French-German border, we are particularly interesting for companies from Alsace, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and the Karlsruhe region, but of course we also work with customers from other regions.

Our manufacturing is generally suited to companies that need prototypes, samples, customised components, spare parts or small batches.

3D printing is especially interesting for projects where flexibility, a wide range of variants, short development cycles or comparatively low quantities play an important role.

Yes. We can produce individual prototypes and special parts as well as small batches.

For new developments in particular, it often makes sense to produce a single piece or sample first and test it before series production.

3D printing can make economic sense from a single part.

Additive manufacturing is often particularly interesting for one-off parts and small to medium series, because no conventional moulds need to be made.

With conventional processes such as injection moulding, tooling and start-up costs can make up a considerable share of the total cost. With 3D printing, by contrast, production can start directly from the digital model.

Rule of thumb: The more individual or complex a part is and the smaller the required quantity, the more attractive 3D printing can be compared with tooling-based processes.

Quantity alone does not decide this. For 200 parts, however, 3D printing can be economically very attractive.

Geometry, material, part size, tolerances, surface requirements and expected future demand are also decisive.

We are happy to check, based on your specific part, whether additive manufacturing makes sense for the quantity you need.

We produce both individual parts and small batches. We deliberately do not state a fixed maximum quantity, as the economically and practically sensible production volume depends heavily on part size and print time.

For larger enquiries, we check our available production capacity in advance and draw up a realistic production plan for you.

Yes. Digital production data makes it possible to reproduce parts that have already been approved whenever they are needed again.

This can be useful, for example, for recurring spare parts, operating equipment, brackets or customer-specific products.

Yes. One of the advantages of digital manufacturing is that variants can be implemented comparatively flexibly.

Depending on the project, dimensions, labels, colours, names, serial markings or certain design details can be adapted, for example.

There is no reliable general answer to this.

Production time depends on factors including:

• part size
• print time per part
• chosen material
• quantity
• post-processing
• personalisation
• current production workload

After reviewing your file or project, we will give you a specific expected production and delivery date.

For time-critical projects, we are happy to check whether prioritised production is possible.

Yes. A finished STL or CAD file is not strictly necessary.

The following can serve as a basis, for example:

• STEP, STL or other existing 3D files
• technical drawings
• sketches with dimensions
• photos of an existing part
• a physical sample part
• a description of the required function

Depending on the starting point, we can then decide together which design steps are needed.

For suitable projects, we can also create or adapt a printable 3D model.

Effort and costs depend on the complexity, the available data and the requirements of the part, and are agreed with you before the project starts.

Yes. A clear sketch with dimensions and a description of the function can in many cases be a sufficient basis for further design work.

Depending on the available data, designs can be adapted or optimised for 3D printing.

Typical topics include wall thickness, print orientation, stability, material use, connecting elements or better manufacturability.

In principle yes, provided the part can be made sensibly using 3D printing from a technical point of view and there are no legal or safety-related reasons against it.

Reproduction is particularly interesting for plastic parts that are no longer available or could only be sourced in disproportionately large quantities.

Depending on its geometry, an existing original part can be measured and digitally reconstructed.

A typical process is:

1. You send us photos, dimensions or the sample part.
2. We check basic feasibility.
3. The part is digitally reconstructed.
4. If required, a prototype is made first.
5. After approval, the requested production takes place.

In certain cases, yes.

If there is a known weak point, for example, we can check whether wall thickness, geometry or material can be adapted.

The prerequisite is always that the function and area of use allow such a change.

Yes. Prototypes and samples are among the most useful applications of 3D printing.

Before a small batch, fit, function, dimensions, feel or design details can be checked, for example.

Yes. That is precisely one of the key advantages of digital manufacturing.

After a test, changes can be made to the digital model before further parts are produced.

Yes. For many projects, we even recommend producing a sample or a small pilot run first.

We will discuss with you whether this makes sense for your specific project.

The choice of material depends on how the part will be used.

The following are particularly important:

• mechanical load
• temperature
• UV and weather exposure
• flexibility
• desired appearance
• part geometry

Tell us the intended use. We will then check which of the materials we process is suitable.

This is possible in principle, but suitability depends heavily on the material used, the design and the ambient conditions.

For outdoor applications, the temperatures, UV exposure, moisture and mechanical loads the part will face should therefore be taken into account when choosing the material.

Yes. Depending on the product and surface, we can additionally personalise 3D-printed parts.

For example, company logos, graphics, markings or other design elements can be combined with 3D-printed base bodies.

Yes. Suitable surfaces can be personalised with QR codes, for example.

This is useful for product information, digital instructions, reviews, contact pages, registrations or marketing applications, among other things.

Depending on the project, individual marking of single products is also possible.

For example, different names, numbering, QR codes or customer-specific graphics are conceivable.

We check technical feasibility based on the respective part.

Yes. It is precisely this combination that opens up interesting possibilities for personalised small batches.

3D printing produces the individual shape, for example, while logos, text, graphics or QR codes can then be applied to suitable surfaces.

The more information available, the more accurately we can assess your project.

Particularly helpful are:

• required quantity
• 3D file or drawing, if available
• part dimensions
• intended use
• mechanical requirements
• preferred material
• preferred colour
• requested delivery date
• any personalisation

If some details are still missing, they can be clarified together as part of the enquiry.

We treat customer data and submitted project information confidentially and use it to process the respective order or enquiry.

You are welcome to mention any special confidentiality requirements in your enquiry.

The duration depends on the design, material, part size, quantity and required post-processing.

For custom parts that require development work, time for design, coordination and possibly a prototype must also be added.

After reviewing your project, you will receive a realistic estimate of the production period.

For particularly time-critical projects, you can tell us your preferred date when you send your enquiry.

We will then check, based on current production planning, whether prioritised production is possible.

We handle enquiries from France, Germany and other European countries.

The specific shipping options and shipping costs depend on the order, size, weight and destination address.

The right manufacturing process does not depend only on the desired appearance.

Decisive factors include:

• part geometry
• quantity
• mechanical load
• temperature
• dimensional tolerances
• surface requirements
• material requirements
• budget

FyDa Printwerk focuses on FDM-based additive manufacturing and checks, based on your project, whether this process is suitable for your requirements.

No.

For very high quantities or special material and surface requirements, other manufacturing processes may be more economical or technically better suited.

Our aim is therefore not to make every part by 3D printing at all costs, but first to check whether additive manufacturing makes sense for the specific project.

A flat price per part would not be reliable, as costs depend heavily on design and production time.

Factors that affect the price include:

• part size
• print time
• material consumption
• type of material
• quantity
• post-processing
• assembly
• personalisation
• design effort

After reviewing your file or requirements, we will prepare an individual quote for you.

Depending on the project, larger quantities can bring cost advantages, for example through optimised production processes, set-up or post-processing.

Unlike injection moulding, however, the pure production time per part remains a key cost factor in 3D printing.

Actual FDM production does not normally require a conventional mould as in injection moulding.

Depending on the project, however, costs may arise for design, preparation, special fixtures or post-processing.

For permanently high production volumes, injection moulding can become more economical despite its initially higher tooling costs.

However, there is no universal break-even point. It depends on part geometry, tooling costs, material, quantity and required variants, among other things.

For prototypes, bridge production, spare parts and small batches, on the other hand, 3D printing can offer considerable advantages.