3D Printed Jigs and Fixtures
In modern manufacturing, the ability to quickly produce custom assembly aids, alignment jigs, and work-holding fixtures is essential for maintaining production efficiency. At RapidPrintParts, we leverage additive manufacturing to produce functional jigs and fixtures that help machinery OEMs, robotics integrators, and contract manufacturers reduce lead times and avoid the high costs associated with traditional tooling.
Applications for Additive Manufacturing
3D printing allows for the rapid creation of complex geometries that are often impossible or cost-prohibitive to machine. Common applications for 3D printed fixtures include:
Assembly Aids
Custom alignment tools that ensure consistent component placement during manual or automated assembly.
Robot EOAT
Lightweight grippers and custom brackets that allow robots to interface with unique part geometries.
Work-Holding Fixtures
Custom bases or nests used to secure parts during secondary machining, drilling, or inspection processes.
Quality Control Gauges
Go/no-go gauges used to verify dimensions on the production line.
Selecting the Right Process
The performance of a jig or fixture depends heavily on the chosen manufacturing process and material. We evaluate your specific operating requirements—including load, temperature, and chemical exposure—before recommending a production path.
FDM / FFF
Fused Deposition Modeling
Ideal for large fixtures and robust structural components. FDM supports high-performance materials such as PC, PA-CF, and PEEK, making it suitable for fixtures that require high thermal resistance or mechanical stiffness.
- Build Envelope
- Up to 1,000 × 600 × 600 mm
- Typical Tolerance
- ±0.2 mm or ±0.3%
SLS & MJF
Powder-Bed Fusion
Best for complex, durable parts that require high dimensional accuracy and isotropic properties. Because these processes do not require support structures, they are excellent for creating complex nesting fixtures with intricate internal features.
- Typical Materials
- PA11, PA12, TPU
- Typical Tolerance
- ±0.2–0.3 mm or ±0.3%
SLA
Stereolithography
Used when the fixture requires high surface finish and fine detail. While generally more fragile than nylon or carbon-fiber-reinforced materials, engineering resins can be selected for specific applications where high precision is the primary requirement.
Design and Engineering Considerations
To ensure your 3D printed jigs and fixtures perform reliably in a production environment, we recommend considering the following factors:
-
Load and Stress
Identify the forces the fixture will encounter. We can assist in selecting reinforced materials like PA-CF or PA-GF to increase rigidity.
-
Operating Environment
Consider temperature, chemical contact, and ESD requirements. Material selection is critical for long-term durability.
-
Secondary Features
We can incorporate threaded inserts, tapping, or drilling into the post-processing stage to ensure the fixture integrates seamlessly with your existing hardware.
-
Tolerance Requirements
While we maintain strict process controls, all critical tolerances must be confirmed during the engineering review phase.
Built for Industrial Use, Not Just Printed Parts
At RapidPrintParts, we do not simply print parts; we manufacture solutions for industrial use. Our engineering team evaluates your CAD data (STEP/STP files) and application requirements to ensure the design is optimized for the additive process.
Depending on your project needs, we can provide quality support including first article inspection, dimensional inspection reports, and material certificates and Certificates of Conformity (CoC).
Quality Support Options
- First article inspection
- Dimensional inspection reports
- Material certificates and Certificates of Conformity (CoC)
Ready to streamline your production line?
Please provide your CAD files, application environment, and performance requirements to our team for a comprehensive engineering review.
- [email protected]
- Address
- No. 17-1, Guanlan Avenue, Longhua District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, Shenzhen 3D Printing Industrial Park
Contact RapidPrintParts
Get in Touch
We are here to answer your questions about industrial additive manufacturing and functional 3D printed parts. Reach out to us through the following methods:
Email: [email protected]
Address: No. 17-1, Guanlan Avenue, Longhua District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, Shenzhen 3D Printing Industrial Park