Four concrete actions. Shell solid volumes to 2 mm walls: 30-60% material saving. Bundle multiple orders into one build. Choose PA 950 HD for larger runs: 35% lower per-piece cost. Ask for a DfAM check: our engineers flag wall thickness optimisations, integration options and orientation effects you would miss.
Shell your solid volumes
Solid volumes are rarely needed, but they do cost material and build time. Standard advice: shell anything above ~5 cm³ to a uniform 2 mm wall, with internal ribs for stiffness where needed. Often halves the cost.
For SLS this is safer than for injection moulding, provided you add an outflow opening of at least 5 mm. If unsure: mark wall thickness and ribs in your CAD, or ask our engineers to walk it through for you.
Bundle orders and work in runs
One order for 50 different parts within 3 working days: expensive. The same 50 parts spread across three weeks in scheduled builds: considerably cheaper.
Can you bundle designs with other departments or projects? That dilutes the per-piece overhead. For recurring structural orders: framework contract with fixed price per part. No changing quote process and you automatically benefit from optimisations we build in.
Material choice and DfAM check
For large runs in structural parts: consider PA 950 HD. Through-and-through black, 47 MPa tensile, 80% powder reuse. 35% lower per-piece cost than PA12.
For parts that are not mechanically loaded: check if standard PA12 is still better than a more expensive PA11 or fibre-reinforced.
Ask for a DfAM check on large or recurring orders. Wall thickness, integration options, orientation and material choice on the table together. We often find 15-30% savings you missed.