Fast and cost-effective success: At TQ, we make targeted use of modern 3D printing technologies wherever conventional processes reach their limits or are too slow. Additive manufacturing has become indispensable, especially for building prototypes, tools, and small-batch production, enabling us to avoid high start-up costs in product development and toolmaking.
When is additive manufacturing worthwhile?
3D printing and additive manufacturing are not a replacement for every production technology, but in the right scenarios they are unbeatable in terms of speed, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. TQ uses additive processes specifically in the following three areas:
Additive manufacturing processes at TQ
Choosing the right 3D printing process depends on the requirements for geometry, material strength, surface quality, and quantity. TQ uses the appropriate process for each specific application and thus tailors additive manufacturing to the exact requirements.
Fused Deposition Modeling
Material extrusion is a 3D printing manufacturing process in which a filament made of solid thermoplastic material is pushed through a heated extruder nozzle and melts in the process. The printer deposits the material along a predefined path on the build platform, where the filament then cools down and hardens into a solid object.
Common areas of application:
Electronics enclosures; form and fit checks; assembly and clamping fixtures.
Selective Laser Sintering
Selective laser sintering is a 3D printing process in which a thermal energy source selectively melts powder particles within the build area, resulting in the production of a solid object.
Common areas of application:
Functional parts; complex cable routing with hollow designs; production of parts in small quantities.
Stereolithography
Stereolithography is a 3D printing manufacturing process in which a light source selectively cures a photopolymer resin in a tank.
Common areas of application:
Polymer prototypes similar to those from injection molding; jewelry (precision casting); dental technology; hearing aids
3D Printing Integrated into Development & Production
The key advantage at TQ: Additive manufacturing is not a separate service, but is directly integrated into the E²MS process. This opens up opportunities that external 3D printing service providers cannot offer.
Additive manufacturing refers to all manufacturing processes in which a component is built up layer by layer from a digital 3D model – in contrast to subtractive processes such as milling or turning, where material is removed. The best-known additive process is 3D printing. Depending on the process, plastics, metals, ceramics, or composite materials are built up layer by layer until the finished component is created.
3D printing excels wherever speed and flexibility matter: no tooling costs, no minimum quantities, and design changes can be implemented at any time. Complex geometries such as undercuts or internal channels, which would be difficult to produce using conventional methods, can be easily realized with additive manufacturing. For larger quantities or the highest surface quality requirements, CNC milling or injection molding often remain the better choice – additive and conventional manufacturing complement each other.
Typical use cases at TQ include prototypes and functional samples for installation trials and design validation, enclosures and enclosure components directly matched to the corresponding electronics, assembly fixtures and test equipment for in-house production, as well as functional end parts in small batches. Additive manufacturing is less suitable for components with tight tolerances in the hundredths range, high surface quality requirements, or extreme mechanical loads.
TQ uses FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), SLA (stereolithography), and SLS (selective laser sintering). FDM is suitable for robust functional parts and fixtures such as in toolmaking (rapid tooling), SLA for printing special materials, for example polymer prototypes, and SLS for complex end parts or small batches. TQ advises you on process selection based on your specific requirements for geometry, material, surface quality, and quantity.
3D printing is cost-effective for small quantities, complex geometries, and frequent design changes. For higher quantities or specific material requirements, CNC milling, turning, or injection molding are often the better choice. Since TQ operates both additive manufacturing and mechanical CNC production in-house, we can provide objective advice and recommend the most suitable process.
