3D Printing Technologies

We operate multiple 3D printing technologies to match your specific material requirements, precision tolerances, and budget. Not every project calls for the same process — our team selects the right technology for your application and explains the tradeoffs clearly.

From affordable FDM thermoplastics to high-resolution SLA resin, structural SLS nylon, industrial-grade FFF engineering polymers, and multi-material printing, Export Commodity's Houston facility is equipped to handle the full spectrum of 3D printing applications. All manufactured in-house. All made in the USA.

Most Popular

FDM — Fused Deposition Modeling

Fused Deposition Modeling is the most widely used 3D printing technology — and for good reason. FDM printing melts and extrudes thermoplastic filament layer by layer to build strong, functional parts at an accessible price point. It's the go-to choice for prototypes, enclosures, jigs, fixtures, and any application where cost efficiency and turnaround speed matter. FDM parts have excellent structural integrity along the XY axis and offer a broad material palette including PLA, ABS, PETG, ASA, and TPU. At Export Commodity, FDM is our highest-volume production technology — suitable for single prototypes and large batch runs alike.

Technical Specifications

Layer Height0.1mm – 0.3mm
Tolerance±0.2mm typical
Build VolumeUp to 300 × 300 × 400mm
Surface FinishVisible layer lines (sandable)
Support MaterialRequired for overhangs >45°
Colors Available20+ standard colors

Available Materials

  • PLA — biodegradable, easy to print, great surface finish
  • ABS — impact resistant, machinable, acetone-smoothable
  • PETG — chemical resistant, food-safe options
  • TPU — flexible, rubber-like, abrasion resistant
  • ASA — UV-stabilized, outdoor-grade
Best For
  • Rapid prototypes and concept models
  • Enclosures, housings, and panels
  • Jigs and fixtures for manufacturing
  • Large-format parts
  • Budget-conscious production runs
  • Visual display models
Get FDM Quote
High Precision

SLA — Stereolithography

Stereolithography (SLA) uses an ultraviolet laser to cure liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer, producing parts with exceptionally smooth surface finishes and fine detail resolution. SLA is the preferred technology when visual quality, surface accuracy, or intricate detail is the top priority. Common applications include dental and medical models, jewelry casting patterns, architectural detail pieces, fine-scale prototypes, and any part requiring a production-quality surface without extensive post-processing. SLA parts are isotropic — meaning consistent mechanical properties in all directions — and can be further post-processed with sanding, priming, and painting for a truly finished appearance.

Technical Specifications

Layer Height0.025mm – 0.1mm
Tolerance±0.1mm typical
Build VolumeUp to 192 × 120 × 200mm
Surface FinishVery smooth, near-production quality
Support MaterialSame resin (removable)
Colors AvailableClear, white, grey, custom tinting

Available Resins

  • Standard resin — smooth, accurate, cost-effective
  • Tough resin — ABS-like, impact resistant
  • Flexible resin — rubber-like, compressible
  • Clear resin — optically transparent, polishable
  • Castable resin — for jewelry and metal casting
Best For
  • Dental and medical models
  • Jewelry prototypes and casting patterns
  • Fine-detail architectural models
  • High-resolution prototypes for presentation
  • Clear or transparent parts
  • Parts requiring minimal post-processing
Get SLA Quote
No Supports Needed

SLS — Selective Laser Sintering

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) uses a high-power laser to fuse nylon powder into solid structures — without requiring support material. The unsintered powder itself supports the part during printing, enabling complex geometries, internal channels, living hinges, and interlocking assemblies that would be impossible with other technologies. SLS-printed Nylon PA12 parts offer excellent mechanical properties: high impact resistance, chemical resistance, and fatigue strength. Glass-filled variants provide enhanced stiffness and dimensional stability. SLS is the preferred choice for functional end-use components, complex assemblies, and production parts that need to perform in demanding environments.

Technical Specifications

Layer Height0.1mm standard
Tolerance±0.3mm typical
Build VolumeUp to 340 × 340 × 600mm
Surface FinishSlightly grainy (sandable/dyeable)
Support MaterialNone required
Colors AvailableNatural white, dyeable post-print

Available Materials

  • Nylon PA12 — balanced mechanical properties
  • Glass-filled Nylon — enhanced stiffness, lower thermal expansion
  • TPU powder — flexible, impact-absorbing SLS parts
Best For
  • Complex geometry with internal features
  • Functional end-use nylon components
  • Living hinges and snap-fit assemblies
  • High-volume nylon part production
  • Lightweight structural parts
  • Parts requiring no support witness marks
Get SLS Quote
Industrial Grade

FFF — Industrial Fused Filament Fabrication

While FDM handles standard thermoplastics, industrial FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) systems process high-performance engineering polymers that require elevated chamber temperatures, enclosed build environments, and precision motion control. At Export Commodity, our industrial FFF machines handle PEEK, Polycarbonate, Carbon Fiber-reinforced PA, and other demanding materials with service temperatures up to 250°C. These systems also support large-format printing for oversized industrial components. If your application demands the highest material performance from a polymer-based part, industrial FFF is the answer — without the cost and lead time of CNC machining or metal manufacturing.

Technical Specifications

Layer Height0.1mm – 0.4mm
Tolerance±0.2mm typical
Build VolumeUp to 500 × 500 × 500mm
Surface FinishVisible layer lines (functional grade)
Chamber TempUp to 90°C enclosed
Nozzle TempUp to 500°C

Available Materials

  • PEEK — up to 250°C, chemical resistant, biocompatible grades
  • Polycarbonate (PC) — transparent, high impact, flame retardant
  • Carbon Fiber PA — lightweight, extremely stiff composite
  • Ultem (PEI) — aerospace-grade, flame resistant
  • PEKK — PEEK alternative, improved printability
Best For
  • High-temperature industrial applications
  • Chemical-resistant components
  • Aerospace and automotive parts
  • Lightweight structural replacements
  • Medical device components (biocompatible PEEK)
  • Large-format industrial fixtures
Get Industrial FFF Quote
Visual Impact

Multi-Color & Multi-Material Printing

Multi-color and multi-material 3D printing enables a single print job to incorporate multiple colors, textures, or material properties — without painting or assembly. Our multi-material FDM systems can print rigid structures with flexible overmolded grips, create full-color display models with detailed text and logos, or combine soluble support material with engineering polymers for complex geometries with zero support witness marks. Multi-color printing is ideal for presentation prototypes, branded display items, educational models, and consumer product mockups where visual fidelity matters as much as structural performance.

Technical Specifications

Color CountUp to 4 colors / materials
Material CombinationsRigid + flexible, rigid + soluble support
Layer Height0.1mm – 0.3mm
Tolerance±0.2mm typical
Build VolumeUp to 250 × 210 × 210mm
Color MatchingFilament color + post-process painting
Best For
  • Presentation and investor models
  • Branded display pieces with logos
  • Rigid + flexible component assemblies
  • Consumer product mockups
  • Complex geometry with soluble supports
  • Educational and training models
Get Multi-Color Quote

Materials Overview

A quick-reference guide to the materials we stock across all technologies. For the full materials guide, visit our Materials page.

Material Technology Key Property Best For
PLAFDMBiodegradable, easy printPrototypes, display models
ABSFDMImpact resistant, machinableEnclosures, functional parts
PETGFDMChemical resistant, food-safeContainers, brackets
TPUFDM / SLSFlexible, abrasion resistantSeals, grips, wearables
ASAFDMUV-stabilized, outdoor gradeOutdoor fixtures, signage
Nylon PA12SLSHigh impact, chemical resistantFunctional parts, assemblies
PEEKFFF Industrial250°C rating, biocompatibleMedical, aerospace, industrial
PolycarbonateFFF IndustrialHigh impact, transparent optionsHousings, safety shields
Standard ResinSLASmooth surface, high detailPresentation, dental models
Carbon Fiber PAFFF IndustrialLightweight, stiff compositeStructural, aerospace parts

Need a material not listed here? Contact our team — we source specialty materials on request.

Not Sure Which Technology Is Right for You?

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Questions? Talk to our team directly.