ABS CF20
ABS-based thermoplastic composite reinforced with 20% carbon fibre, offering high stiffness and dimensional stability. Suitable for large-format prototypes, moulds and tooling.
Large Scale 3D Printing service
- Wide range of fiber-reinforced and thermoplastic materials
- ISO 9001:2015
Large Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM) is an advanced 3D printing technology
Designed to produce large-format parts with high mechanical performance, using high-speed extrusion-based processes, LSAM enables the creation of complex, lightweight, and durable structures in industries such as aerospace, automotive, architecture, and tooling, like kogs and fixtures as well as moulds.
Large Scale 3D printing use cases
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Custom furniture and design elements
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Installations, stage sets, and display elements
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Full-scale 1:1 mock-ups and dimensional prototypes
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Large-format fairings and panels
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Components for marine and boating applications
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Large ducts and channels
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Lightweight structural elements for mobility applications
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Custom components for architecture and interior design
Materials for Large Scale 3D printing
Polymers
ABS GF30
ABS-based thermoplastic composite reinforced with 30% glass fibre, providing good stiffness and dimensional stability. Suitable for large-scale prototypes, moulds and tooling.
ASA
Thermoplastic polymer from the acrylonitrile styrene acrylate family, with high resistance to UV radiation and weathering. Suitable for large-format components intended for outdoor applications.
ASA GF20
ASA-based thermoplastic composite reinforced with 20% glass fibre, providing greater stiffness and mechanical strength than standard ASA. Suitable for large-scale components used in outdoor and industrial applications.
BioEVA 89A
Bio-based thermoplastic elastomer derived from sugar cane, offering flexibility and a Shore A hardness of 89. Suitable for large-format elements used in design, furniture and seating applications.
PC CF20
Polycarbonate-based thermoplastic composite reinforced with 20% carbon fibre, offering high stiffness, dimensional stability and resistance to elevated temperatures. Suitable for large-format moulds, tooling and industrial components.
PLA
Bio-based thermoplastic polymer derived from renewable resources, offering good stiffness and ease of processing. Used in large-scale additive manufacturing for design, furniture, art and large-format models.
Our team of experts is at your disposal
Our engineers support you in material selection, optimising the part for metal 3D printing, and defining the required post-processes and inspections.
Comparison with other technologies
| Technology | Max. size | Min. detail size | Min. wall thickness | Tolerance | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMLS | 500×280×340 mm | 0.6-0.8 mm | 0.22 mm | ±0.25 (≤15mm); ±0.5 (>15mm) | Similar to Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), but uses metal powders to produce high-strength, intricate metal parts, suitable for functional prototypes and end-use components in aerospace, medical and automotive. |
| SLS Plastic | 680×380×540 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.7-1.3 mm | ±0.3% (±0.3mm) | Uses a laser to fuse powdered materials layer by layer, ideal for durable, complex parts without support structures. Widely used in aerospace, automotive and medical. |
| SLA Plastic | 1350×750×500 mm | 0.2-0.5 mm | 1-3 mm | ±0.2% (min. 0.2 mm) | Uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, ideal for highly detailed, smooth, intricate parts. Widely used for detailed prototypes and complex designs in jewellery and dentistry. |
| MJF Plastic | 380×284×380 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.3-0.5 mm | ±0.3% (±0.2 mm) | Uses multiple jets to apply fusing agents onto powder, which is then fused by heating elements. Delivers high-resolution functional parts with short lead times, often used in aerospace, automotive and consumer goods. |
| Polyjet Plastic | 490×380×200 mm | 1.2-2 mm | 1 mm | ±0.1% | Jets liquid photopolymer resin and cures it layer by layer with UV light, enabling highly detailed, multi-material parts with different properties. Popular for prototyping and colour-rich complex models in medical modelling, consumer goods and electronics. |
| FDM Plastic | 914×690×914 mm | 1.2-1.5 mm | 1.5 mm | ±0.5% (±0.5 mm) | Uses a heated nozzle to extrude thermoplastic filament layer by layer, ideal for durable functional prototypes. Commonly used in manufacturing, automotive and consumer products. |
| DLP Plastic | 510×280×350 mm | 0.5 mm | 1 mm | ±0.30 mm < 100mm; ±0.3% > 100 mm | Uses a digital light projector to cure liquid resin layer by layer, providing fast, precise, high-resolution prints. Commonly used in dentistry, jewellery and high-definition prototypes. |
| Large Scale Plastic | 2500×2500×4000 mm | 3 mm | — | ±5 mm/m | Refers to 3D printing technologies designed to create large objects or structures, such as industrial machine parts or architectural models, with an emphasis on size and structural integrity. |
| DED | 1200×800×600 mm | — | — | — | Uses an energy beam to melt and deposit metal powders or wires, ideal for repairing or adding features to metal parts in aerospace and manufacturing. |
| Binder Jet | 430×310×150 mm | — | — | ±3% | Deposits a binding agent onto a powder bed to form parts, which are then sintered. Useful for producing complex, cost-effective parts, often used in automotive, aerospace, consumer goods and jewellery. |
Technology
DMLS
- Max. size
- 500×280×340 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.6-0.8 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 0.22 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.25 (≤15mm); ±0.5 (>15mm)
Description
Similar to Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), but uses metal powders to produce high-strength, intricate metal parts, suitable for functional prototypes and end-use components in aerospace, medical and automotive.
Technology
SLS
Plastic- Max. size
- 680×380×540 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.8 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 0.7-1.3 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.3% (±0.3mm)
Description
Uses a laser to fuse powdered materials layer by layer, ideal for durable, complex parts without support structures. Widely used in aerospace, automotive and medical.
Technology
SLA
Plastic- Max. size
- 1350×750×500 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.2-0.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1-3 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.2% (min. 0.2 mm)
Description
Uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, ideal for highly detailed, smooth, intricate parts. Widely used for detailed prototypes and complex designs in jewellery and dentistry.
Technology
MJF
Plastic- Max. size
- 380×284×380 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 0.3-0.5 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.3% (±0.2 mm)
Description
Uses multiple jets to apply fusing agents onto powder, which is then fused by heating elements. Delivers high-resolution functional parts with short lead times, often used in aerospace, automotive and consumer goods.
Technology
Polyjet
Plastic- Max. size
- 490×380×200 mm
- Min. detail size
- 1.2-2 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.1%
Description
Jets liquid photopolymer resin and cures it layer by layer with UV light, enabling highly detailed, multi-material parts with different properties. Popular for prototyping and colour-rich complex models in medical modelling, consumer goods and electronics.
Technology
FDM
Plastic- Max. size
- 914×690×914 mm
- Min. detail size
- 1.2-1.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1.5 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.5% (±0.5 mm)
Description
Uses a heated nozzle to extrude thermoplastic filament layer by layer, ideal for durable functional prototypes. Commonly used in manufacturing, automotive and consumer products.
Technology
DLP
Plastic- Max. size
- 510×280×350 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.30 mm < 100mm; ±0.3% > 100 mm
Description
Uses a digital light projector to cure liquid resin layer by layer, providing fast, precise, high-resolution prints. Commonly used in dentistry, jewellery and high-definition prototypes.
Technology
Large Scale
Plastic- Max. size
- 2500×2500×4000 mm
- Min. detail size
- 3 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- —
- Tolerance
- ±5 mm/m
Description
Refers to 3D printing technologies designed to create large objects or structures, such as industrial machine parts or architectural models, with an emphasis on size and structural integrity.
Technology
DED
- Max. size
- 1200×800×600 mm
- Min. detail size
- —
- Min. wall thickness
- —
- Tolerance
- —
Description
Uses an energy beam to melt and deposit metal powders or wires, ideal for repairing or adding features to metal parts in aerospace and manufacturing.
Technology
Binder Jet
- Max. size
- 430×310×150 mm
- Min. detail size
- —
- Min. wall thickness
- —
- Tolerance
- ±3%
Description
Deposits a binding agent onto a powder bed to form parts, which are then sintered. Useful for producing complex, cost-effective parts, often used in automotive, aerospace, consumer goods and jewellery.
Large Scale technology pros and cons
Advantages
- Capable of printing large-format, complex parts
- Strong and lightweight composite materials available
- Reduces material waste compared to subtractive processes
Points to consider
- Lower resolution compared to small-scale 3D printing methods
- Post-processing may be required for surface finishing
Large Scale 3D printing FAQ
How large can components produced with Large Scale 3D printing be?
Large Scale 3D printing is designed to produce large components beyond the typical build volumes of conventional additive technologies. In MadeInAdd configurations, the indicative maximum build volume reaches 2,500 × 2,500 × 4,000 mm, allowing large-format elements to be produced while reducing the number of parts, assemblies, and joints. The technology is suitable for industrial applications, design, and large components. Feasibility still depends on geometry, material, weight, orientation, and final requirements: the machine build volume does not necessarily correspond to the maximum component size achievable for every project.
What materials can be used for Large Scale 3D printing?
Large Scale 3D printing mainly uses thermoplastic materials, including reinforced formulations, selected according to stiffness, weight, processability, and dimensional stability. Engineering polymers and fibre-reinforced composites can be used for industrial applications to increase performance compared with unreinforced materials. The choice depends on operating temperature, loads, environment, finish, and any subsequent machining requirements. MadeInAdd assesses the material together with the process and any required post-processing to achieve the desired result.
What accuracy and tolerances can be achieved with Large Scale 3D printing?
In MadeInAdd configurations, Large Scale 3D printing offers an indicative minimum feature size of around 3 mm, with a reference tolerance of approximately ±5 mm/m. Compared with high-resolution technologies such as SLA or DMLS, Large Scale prioritises large build volumes and production speed. It is therefore particularly suitable for producing the main geometry of a component quickly, while functional surfaces and dimensions can be finished subsequently using dedicated machining processes. The design should account from the outset for tolerances, any machining allowance, orientation, and post-processing.
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