From file to physical part, no tooling
Rapid prototyping and low-volume end-use parts, built layer by layer straight from your CAD file — the fastest way to hold a design in your hands.
What it is
Four technologies, four trade-offs. 3D printing (additive manufacturing) builds parts layer by layer directly from a digital file — no mould, no cutting tool, no minimum order. Which technology fits depends on what you need the part to do.
Design with what's possible in mind
Additive is the most geometrically forgiving of the manufacturing processes, but it has rules of its own.
Complex geometry is (almost) free. Internal lattices, organic curves, and undercuts that would be impossible to machine or mould print without extra cost.
Hollow parts need escape holes. SLS and MJF parts are printed inside loose powder, so enclosed cavities need a hole to let unfused powder drain out.
Orientation changes strength. Layers bond less strongly across their plane than within it. A part's build orientation affects where it's weakest.
Thin walls are technology-dependent. SLA holds the finest detail (walls near 0.5mm); FDM needs the thickest (often 1.5mm+) to print reliably.
Not cost-effective at volume. Per-part cost barely drops with quantity. Past a few hundred units, CNC or injection moulding usually wins on price.
Support marks are part of the process. Overhangs beyond ~45° typically need support material, which leaves witness marks on removal. When designing, plan orientation around visible faces.
Plastics & resins
Finishes
From file to finished print
Upload & choose technology. Submit your file (STL, STEP, OBJ), pick a technology and material based on what the part needs to do.
Matched & quoted. Kutenga matches you to a supplier running the right printer for your technology, size, and finish.
Confirm your order. Review and confirm specs, price, and lead time before printing begins.
Print & post-process. Printing itself is often the fastest step. Post-printing activities such as support removal, curing, or bead blasting can add a day or two.
Inspect & confirm receipt. Check the part against your file on arrival and confirm receipt.
Escape holes — Add a ≥4mm drain hole to any enclosed hollow cavity if you're printing in SLS or MJF, or it'll arrive full of loose powder.
Orientation — Think about which face needs to be cosmetic and which can carry support marks — flag it in your order notes.
Wall thickness — Match minimum wall thickness to the technology: ~0.5mm for SLA, ~1–1.5mm for FDM/SLS/MJF, as a starting point.
Match the tech to the job — Use FDM to check fit and form fast and cheap; move to SLA or MJF only once you need cosmetic finish or tighter tolerance.
A note on the numbers above: tolerance and lead time figures are typical industry reference ranges for each 3D printing technology, not a guarantee from a specific Kutenga supplier. Achievable tolerance depends heavily on part geometry, orientation, and the specific machine used. Kutenga verifies supplier capability during onboarding but does not perform its own quality control on parts — confirm tight tolerances directly on your RFQ.
Ready to print a part?
Get matched with vetted 3D printing suppliers across Africa and beyond, in as little as a few days.