Design models for presentations and trade shows
Before sign-off everyone wants to hold the product. We print design models at full or reduced scale and prepare the surface so it can be painted or shown directly.
Sanded and primed on request
What design models are used for
When form, size and feel need to be judged.
Client presentation
Make the concept tangible before ordering tooling.
Trade show models
Show products that are not in production yet.
Ergonomic studies
Compare handles and controls in several variants.
Architecture and plants
Scaled plant and machine models.
Suitable materials
PLA for fine detail and easy sanding, ASA or ABS when the model has to be robust.
- PLAFast, affordable prototyping and visual parts.
- PETGTough, food-safe-capable everyday workhorse.
- ASAThe outdoor specialist - ABS mechanics with true UV stability.
- ABSClassic engineering ABS - strong, affordable, easy to finish.
Details for a design model
- 01Scale and visible faces.
- 02Desired finish: raw, sanded or primed.
- 03Whether parts should move or be removable.
- 04Date of the presentation or show.
Visual model or functional sample?
A design model should persuade, not carry load. It can therefore be made from a material that looks good and is easy to finish. That lowers cost and lead time.
If the model also needs to be tested, we plan it as a functional prototype. Mixing the two often results in a part that neither looks good nor tests meaningfully.
Tell us what the model is for. We choose material, layer height and finishing to match.
Manufacturing data at a glance
- Location
- Schleswig, Germany
- Part size
- up to approx. 250 x 250 x 250 mm, larger parts split and joined
- Quantities
- 1 to several thousand, no minimum order quantity
- Tolerances
- approx. ±0.2 mm for PLA, PETG and carbon grades, ±0.3 mm for ABS, ASA and PC
- Layer height
- 0.10 to 0.30 mm
- Materials
- 20 engineering filaments from PLA to PA12-CF and PC FR
- File formats
- STEP, STL, 3MF, OBJ, IGES up to 200 MB
- Lead time
- 2 to 4 working days for samples, 4 to 15 working days for series
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Design model FAQ
- Are the layers visible?
- Slightly in the raw state. With fine layers and post processing the surface becomes smooth enough to paint.
- Can large models be printed?
- Yes. Parts over about 250 mm are split and joined after printing.
- Do you paint as well?
- We deliver sanded and primed. Final painting is usually done by a painter of your choice or a partner.
- How short notice can it be before a show?
- Talk to us early. Raw models are often ready in a few days, finishing needs extra time.
Read next
Post-processing FDM parts: from print to visible part
FDM parts come off the machine with visible layers. For many functional parts that does not matter, for visible parts it does. What sanding, fillers and paint can achieve, and where the limits are.
Using rapid prototyping properly: three rounds instead of ten
Most projects do not need ten prototype rounds. They need three, where each round answers one clear question.
PETG or PLA: Which Material Fits Your Part?
PLA is stiffer, PETG survives more. The honest comparison for functional parts, not for display models.