Additive manufacturing

Functional prints, prepared and checked.

AP3X prepares designs for printing, runs prototype iterations and produces custom parts for reviewed, non-safety-critical uses. Small runs and one-off parts are the focus.

The AP3X print setup: a Bambu Lab X1 Carbon with an AMS on top, and a second AMS and two AMS HT units on the shelf above.
The full setup: X1 Carbon, two AMS units and two AMS HT dryers.

Equipment

The printer behind the work.

Jobs run on an enclosed, multi-material machine and are prepared in Bambu Studio, so settings are matched to each part rather than left on defaults.

Bambu Lab X1 Carbon printer with an AMS multi-material unit mounted on top.
The X1 Carbon with its AMS on top.

Bambu Lab X1 Carbon

Enclosed core-XY printer

Build volume
256 × 256 × 256 mm
Materials
PLA, PLA Matte, PETG, PETG‑CF, TPU, ASA
Multicolor
AMS printing, up to 12 colors per profile
Filament handling
Two AMS units plus two AMS HT dryers
Slicer
Bambu Studio
Two Bambu Lab AMS HT units loaded with black and green filament, each showing humidity and temperature on its display.
Two AMS HT units dry filament and feed it to the printer, with humidity and temperature on each display.

Materials

Chosen for what the part has to do.

The right material depends on load, heat, flexibility and finish. If you are not sure which you need, describe the use and AP3X will recommend one.

PLA and PLA Matte

Everyday parts, organizers, fixtures, tags and signage. Clean finish in gloss or matte.

  • Full spectrum of colors in stock.

PETG and PETG-CF

Tougher parts with more impact and heat resistance than PLA. Carbon-fiber PETG‑CF adds stiffness for brackets, mounts and jigs.

  • Translucent PETG available.

TPU

Flexible parts such as grips, bumpers, covers and protective pieces.

  • AMS-compatible grades for multi-material parts.

ASA

Outdoor and sun-exposed parts. Resists UV and weathering, and handles heat better than PLA or PETG.

  • Printed in the enclosed X1 Carbon.

Recent work

Parts that solve a real problem.

Most jobs are practical: something that organizes, holds, protects or replaces. A few examples of what has been made so far.

  1. 01

    Home lab equipment rack

    A custom 3D-printed rack system for a home lab. It holds a four-bay drive enclosure, a cluster of single-board computers, a network switch and supporting hardware, in a printed frame sized to the equipment.

    Black 3D-printed equipment rack holding a four-bay drive enclosure, three networked single-board computers and a network switch.
    Select the photo to view it full size.
  2. 02

    Wall key rack with shelf

    A wall-mounted key rack with a shelf above for mail and small items, and a row of hooks below so everyday keys have a fixed place.

    White 3D-printed wall key rack with five black hooks and a shelf, holding several sets of keys.
    Select the photo to view it full size.
  3. 03

    Infinity cube fidget toys

    Four sets of infinity cube fidget toys printed together on one plate. Laying out repeat parts as one batch keeps setup time and cost per part down.

    Inside the X1 Carbon: a black build plate holding rows of white infinity cube pieces, with the toolhead parked above them.
    Select the photo to view it full size.
  4. 04

    Fleet key tag system

    Twelve custom key tags, each holding three keys, plus a wall-mounted rack to hang them on. Designed so every set has a fixed, labeled place. About 9¾ hours of total print time.

Timelapses

Watch the parts take shape.

Captured by the printer's own camera, one frame per layer, and sped up. Each clip plays while it is on screen.

Mobile radio car mount. A custom mount that holds a mobile radio securely inside a vehicle.
Café ashtrays in PETG‑CF. Five ashtrays printed in one run for a café's outdoor smoking area, in carbon-fiber PETG‑CF for a tougher, outdoor-ready part.
Infinity cube fidget toys. Four complete sets printed together on one plate.
Custom threaded container cap. A custom 3D-printed screw cap with a diamond knurled grip, made to fit a specific container.

How a print job works

From file to finished part.

Every job is quoted individually. Price and timing depend on size, material, quantity and how much design work is needed.

Send STL, 3MF or STEP files, or start from a sketch and measurements.

Send the file or the idea

Email a model file, a sketch, photos or measurements. If there is no model yet, describe what the part needs to do and where it fits.

Review and quote

The design is checked for printability, then material, orientation and strength are chosen for the job. You get a quote and an estimated time before anything prints.

Print, inspect, hand off

Parts are printed, cleaned up and checked before handoff, with any notes you need for fit or use.

What AP3X does not print

Safety-critical parts are declined. That includes anything a person's safety depends on, such as load-bearing parts for people, vehicle steering or braking components, pressure-holding parts, and medical devices. Weapons and weapon components are also declined.

Start a print request

Have a part in mind?

Send the file or describe the part, what it needs to do, and how many you need. AP3X will reply with questions or a quote.

Please don't include confidential designs, account numbers or payment details. Messages are relayed to AP3X by FormSubmit, a third-party form service, and used only to reply to you. For anything sensitive, ask for a direct email first.

Prefer email? sebastien@ap3xoperations.com