Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Instant Quotes - Additive MFG

  • Go to our quoting engine, upload your files, and select the options you’d like! You’ll receive an instant quote with the option to submit it for manual review if you think there are any issues.

  • While we can’t control what happens once a package leaves our facility, we do our best to ensure that all orders are processed in the estimated timeframe or faster. If you need extremely expedited service, please give us a call to confirm the details and print queue availability.

  • We take every measure to ensure that every part leaving our facility meets industry standards for quality and performance. While we cannot guarantee the suitability of a specific print process for your application, if you feel that we haven’t delivered the value you expect, please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss further

  • We leverage cutting-edge technology in every facet of our processes thanks to our industry partners. We’re able to optimize the packing density of each build to ensure that valuable material is never wasted. Our printer queues are adjusted dynamically so that every new order can find a place in a build chamber at just the right time.

  • While our online pricing tool is very capable, it can’t always capture the challenges of high-volume production. Typically, this means that the price you see in quantities over 100 pieces is higher than it should be. Large orders will almost always require some manual adjustment to provide the most accurate pricing, so please drop us a line before ordering.

  • We do our best to provide a low barrier of entry to advanced processes. Accordingly, all additive orders are subject to a $20 minimum.

Additive Manufacturing

  • SLS stands for Selective Laser Sintering, an additive process that uses lasers to fuse nylon powder into solid parts. Parts are nearly isotropic, fully dense, and typically capable of end-use applications. This process requires no support material and has minimal geometry limitations, meaning that even the most complex parts are trivial to print.

  • The Formlabs SLS Design Guide is a great primer on the capabilities and limitations of the process. We find that certain design rules, such as minimum feature size and wall thickness, can often be pushed past the limits stated in that document, but they represent a good starting point for success. We’re happy to answer specific design questions any time!

  • Currently, we offer Nylon 12. We find that this material provides a sufficient balance of strength, detail, and part accuracy to satisfy a vast majority of our customers and end-use applications. We hope to add more materials in the future! Let us know if there are any materials of specific interest to you.

CNC Machining

  • If you’ve got parts to quote, send ‘em over to brad@thefactoryamsterdam.com and we’ll get started! CAD models are always preferred - dimensioned drawings are not necessarily required depending on part tolerances.

  • While we don’t have a strict minimum order quantity for machining, our pricing is generally most competitive when a machining project involves at least 50 pieces.

  • Sure! We can provide prototyping and/or first article inspection (FAI) services if you need to evaluate part functionality or our supplier capabilities before committing to a larger order.