INDUSTRY-LEADING MANUFACTURER AND TRUSTED PARTNER
Low volume production with Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) lets us manufacture end-use nylon parts, from a single part to runs of hundreds or thousands, without building an injection mould or waiting months for one.
Our process starts with finding the optimal production technology for each project. Identifying customer needs, choosing the right additive technology, the best turnaround time, and achieving optimum costs are critical steps for the success of our customers’ projects. In many cases, we have proposed hybrid solutions, either using multiple materials/technologies or a combination of additive and conventional fabrication processes.
Contact Anubis 3D today to discuss your low volume production needs and find out which technology options are a fit for your project.
- No tooling or moulds
- No minimum order
- End-use nylon parts
- EOS SLS systems
Low Volume Production, Explained
Low volume production is the manufacture of end-use parts in quantities that are too small to justify the cost of injection mould tooling. Depending on the industry, that can mean anything from a few dozen to a few thousand parts per run.
With Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), we build each part directly from its CAD file, layer by layer, in a bed of nylon powder. There is no mould to machine and no setup charge, so pricing stays predictable whether you order ten parts or a thousand, and a design change is as simple as updating the file before the next build.
That makes low volume production the natural fit for product launches, custom and variant parts, replacement parts that are no longer made, and anything that changes too often to commit to a tool.
Parts we often produce in low volumes
- End of arm tooling (EOAT) and robot grippers
- Custom tools, jigs and fixtures
- Housings, covers and enclosures
- Spare and replacement parts
- Functional assemblies with consolidated parts
Why Choose SLS for Low Volume Production
SLS is our core production process. It builds strong nylon parts without support structures, so we can nest many parts in a single build and produce a whole batch at once.
Strong end-use materials
Nylon-based materials are strong, durable, and stable for end-use applications.
No molds, no setup cost
Mold free process with no setup cost and can produce multiple iterations at the same time.
Cost-effective at low volumes
Cost-effective compared to conventional manufacturing methods.
Complex assemblies and tooling
The go-to process for complex assemblies and lightweight tooling.
Heat and chemical resistant
Parts are heat, chemical resistant and exhibit high dimensional stability.
From CAD File to Production Parts
Every low volume production project follows the same six steps, so you always know what happens next and when.
Share your part
Send us your CAD files, the quantities you need and how the part will be used. If the design is still taking shape, our team can help from the concept stage.
Manufacturability review and quote
Every project gets a customized, detailed quote. We review each part for manufacturability and suggest design optimizations where they make a difference.
Material and process selection
We match the part to the right SLS material, or to a hybrid of additive and conventional processes when that serves the project better.
First Article Inspection
Before the full run, we produce first articles so you can check fit, form and function and make design changes early, when they cost the least.
Production on EOS systems
We print the run on our EOS SLS systems, nesting parts in the build volume for consistent, repeatable properties across the whole batch.
Finishing and delivery
Parts are depowdered, finished to your specification and shipped, with just-in-time delivery available for recurring orders.
Low Volume SLS Production vs Injection Molding
Injection molding wins at high volumes, but only once the tool is paid for. Below a few thousand parts, SLS is usually faster and more economical.
| SLS 3D printing | Injection molding | |
|---|---|---|
| Tooling | None, parts print directly from the CAD file | A steel or aluminum mould is required |
| Time to first parts | Days | Typically 12 to 24 weeks to build the mould |
| Design changes | Update the file, the next build uses it | Mould rework or a new tool |
| Economical quantity | From a single part to the low thousands | High volumes that pay back the tool |
| Part complexity | Internal channels, undercuts and consolidated assemblies | Limited by draft angles, parting lines and undercuts |
| Best for | Launches, custom and variant parts, spare parts, bridge production | Stable, high-volume designs |
Many products start in SLS and move to molding once volumes and the design are stable. While the tool is being made, bridge production keeps parts flowing.
Waiting on Injection Mold Tooling?
Bridge production uses the same SLS process to supply real, functional parts while your production tooling is being cut. You can launch on schedule, validate demand with real customers and keep refining the design, then switch to molding when the tool is ready.
- Sidestep tooling delays and launch on time
- Validate market demand before committing to a tool
- Iterate without paying for mould changes
- Fill supply chain gaps with parts in days
Why Choose Anubis 3D as Your Production Partner
We are a Canadian additive manufacturer, so we approach low volume production the way production should be run: with engineering support up front, industrial EOS systems on the floor and a quality process that checks the part before the full run starts.
- Working with the Anubis 3D team, getting our expert advice, and experience makes realizing your ideas easier regardless of the industry.
- Utilizing combined manufacturing strategies Hybrid Solutions for an improved manufacturing process.
- Just in Time manufacturing JIT
- Industrial 3D Printing Quality Assurance Approach for System, Material, and Process. Anubis 3D operates EOS Plastic sintering systems, that create the conditions for uniform repeatable and reliable part properties.
- The only company offering UL-94 compliant Fire retardant material for the electronics industry
- For automation, robotic and food contact applications we offer PA2200 that is biocompatible under EN ISO 10993-1 and USP/level VI/121°C, under the EU plastics directive 2002/72/EC (exception: alcoholic products)
- Using a proactive approach process of First Article Inspection “FAI” to test fit and form or the need to do design modifications before commencing the full production
- Customized detailed quote for every project. Our expert team inspects carefully all submitted parts for production to ensure, manufacturability and offer options for design optimization where applicable
Advantages of Low Volume Production
3D printing is adaptable to low volume manufacturing and reduces the investment for scaling associated with traditional processes. The main advantages for using this leading-edge technology are:
- Individually customize hundreds of parts or products in a single run
- Test products quickly, make multiple design iterations at the same time
- Launch products at the lowest cost in small quantities before making a substantial tooling investment
- Stay ahead of competition by bringing your products and ideas to market first
- Produce complex parts reducing assembly time.
- Produce more durable, complex, and lightweight end use parts and systems
Low Volume Parts, Built for Real Use
From functional components to full production batches, these are the kinds of parts our customers run in low volumes.
Industries we support
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about low volume production with SLS. Have a question that is not here? Ask our team.
What Is Low Volume Production and its benefits ?
Low-volume manufacturing techniques include low-volume production as a subset of manufacturing. When something has been manufactured in low volumes, it usually means that little to no money was spent on engineering or tooling.
The units of order involved for it to be regarded as low volume production varies from industry to industry. It could be as little as 100 or as many as 1000. This threshold can vary depending on the company. Low volume manufacturing techniques are frequently employed for one-off orders or limited runs of products with inexpensive setup requirements.
Businesses that employ low-volume production methods typically possess a great deal of flexibility and are able to react swiftly to market developments. This is why custom orders or special requests, which often demand shorter lead times than high volume manufacturing processes, are frequently handled using low volume production techniques.
Advantages of low volume production include making unique products, generating small runs, and turning production around quickly. Additionally, low-volume production gives businesses the chance to test out new ideas without incurring significant upfront expenses for design or tooling development.
Is 3D printing cheaper for low volume production?
The short answer is yes. Additive manufacturing is cheaper for low volume production.
Before creating a single end-use product, companies that wished to make plastic products had to first construct tooling or moulds. The price of an injection mould tool can be a barrier when a projected distribution quantity of small quantities is taken into account.
Additionally, the time it takes to build a mould might range from 12 to 24 weeks, depending on its size and complexity. It is also exceedingly challenging to justify the cost and lead time of an injection mould for low volume production runs. At this point, 3D printing for low volume production starts to emerge as a more affordable, quick, and adaptable option for the creation of small quantities of parts.
Why should you work with Anubis 3D for your low volume production needs?
Modern 3D printing technology allows for more creative freedom, more adaptable manufacturing methods, and a quicker time to market by streamlining prototyping and production.
These advantages are available to businesses who utilise 3D printing as their main method when they collaborate with the best additive manufacturing partner in Anubis 3D. We provide the best performance, production quality, and productivity, and optimal 3D printing manufacturing solution for our clients.
A flexible, on-demand option for prototyping, low-volume production, and scaling, either as a product solution or as a service for high-volume manufacturing is made available to manufacturers by Anubis 3D low volume production services.
How many parts can you produce in a low volume run?
There is no minimum order. We can produce anything from a single replacement part to production runs of hundreds or thousands of parts. Larger quantities are quoted per project, based on part size and how many parts fit in each build.
Which materials can I use for low volume production?
We produce low volume parts in seven SLS materials: PA 2200 (nylon 12), PA 614-GS (glass filled nylon 12), PA 606-FR (flame retardant nylon 12), Alumide (aluminum filled nylon 12), PA 860 (nylon 11), PA 830-ESD 12 (ESD-safe nylon 11) and TPU 1301 (flexible TPU). You can compare them and download each data sheet on our SLS materials page.
What is the difference between low volume production and bridge production?
Low volume production is a long-term way to make a part: it stays in SLS for its whole life because the volumes never justify a mould. Bridge production is temporary: it supplies functional SLS parts while injection mould tooling is being made, then hands over to moulding once the tool is ready. Learn more about bridge production.
How long does low volume production take?
Because there is no tooling to build, first parts are typically ready in days rather than weeks. The exact lead time depends on quantity, part size and finishing, and we confirm it in your quote.
Ready to Start Your Low Volume Production Run?
Send us your files and quantities, and we will come back with a detailed quote and the best way to make your part.