From concept to production in days, not months.
FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF and vacuum casting under one roof, backed by CAD design and 3D scanning. Test form, fit and function with real parts before you invest in production tooling.
Why prototype
Real parts, early enough to change the design
Rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing let you see, hold and test a design while changes are still cheap.
Accelerate development
Rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing compress development cycles, getting you from idea to physical part faster.
Validate before you commit
Test form, fit, function and aesthetics with real parts before investing in production tooling, while changes are still affordable.
Reduce risk, iterate fast
A flexible, on-demand process makes design improvements quick, so you can outpace traditional manufacturing.
From prototype to production
One partner from 3D scanning and reverse engineering through additive manufacturing, vacuum casting and low-volume production.
Concept to production
One partner through every stage
Each stage feeds the next, so a design moves from a sketch to a production-ready part without changing hands.
01
Concept
Ideation
02
3D design
CAD modeling
03
Prototype
3D printing
04
Test & validate
Fit, form, function
05
Iterate
Design optimization
06
Low-volume production
Vacuum casting
07
Production
Scale manufacturing
It starts with design
From idea to a production-ready 3D model
No CAD file yet? We turn sketches, samples and requirements into precise 3D models engineered for manufacturability, ready to print, cast or tool.
Design tools
- SolidWorks
- Fusion 360
- Creo
- NX
- AutoCAD
Parametric modeling
Fast iterations and design changes
Surface & complex geometry
Class-A surfaces and freeform models
GD&T & tolerancing
Manufacturing-ready drawings to ASME / ISO
DFM / DFA
Optimized for 3D printing, casting and production
Our technologies
The right process for every part
Four additive technologies for everything from quick concept models to production-grade parts, plus vacuum casting for batches and 3D scanning to bring existing parts into CAD.
Additive manufacturing
Casting & digital engineering
Compare
3D printing technologies at a glance
Compare strength, finish, speed and cost, or tell us what matters most and we'll highlight the best fit.
What matters most for your part?
Pick a priority to highlight the best-suited technologies.
| Feature | FDMFused Deposition Modeling | SLAStereolithography | SLSSelective Laser Sintering | MJFMulti Jet Fusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | PLA, ABS, PETG, nylon, TPU, carbon-fiber composites | Standard, tough, flexible, castable and high-temperature resins | Nylon (PA12, PA11), TPU, glass- and carbon-filled, other engineering polymers | Nylon PA12 (most common), PA11, TPU, glass-filled, flame-retardant grades |
| Strength | Good for general use | Moderate (more brittle than SLS / MJF) | High (isotropic, functional) | High (consistent, production-grade) |
| Detail & finish | Medium (visible layer lines) | Excellent (smooth, high resolution) | Good (matte, slightly grainy) | Very good (smooth, consistent finish) |
| Surface roughness (Ra) | 100 – 200 µm | 25 – 50 µm | 50 – 100 µm | 50 – 100 µm |
| Support structures | Required (easily removable) | Required (post-processing needed) | Not required | Not required |
| Build speed | Fast (especially for large parts) | Moderate | Moderate | Fast (ideal for batch production) |
| Cost per part | Low | Moderate | Moderate to high | Low to moderate (efficient at volume) |
| Best for | Functional prototypes, jigs, fixtures, end-use parts | Appearance models, small components, transparent parts | Complex geometry, functional assemblies, automotive and industrial parts | Production-ready parts, enclosures, clips, consumer and industrial components |
Surface finish
Choose the finish your application needs
Typical surface roughness (Ra) for each process. Post-processing such as sanding and coating gives parts a production-like finish.
- Injection molded< 10 µm
Best finish, glossy or textured options
- Vacuum casting10–25 µm
Excellent finish, replicates texture and color
- SLA25–50 µm
Smooth surface, high detail, transparent options
- SLS50–100 µm
Uniform, slightly grainy, matte finish
- MJF50–100 µm
Smooth, consistent, production-grade finish
- FDM100–200 µm
Visible layer lines, matte finish
Post-processing services
Finishing for marketing and customer presentation samples, or parts ready to go straight into an assembly.
- Support removal
- Sanding
- Primer coating
- Painting
- Texture matching
- Silk-screen printing
- Assembly integration
Automotive interior
FDM, sanded and painted for a production-like finish
Consumer product
SLA, painted with a custom color and texture
Functional assembly
SLS / MJF, clean uniform finish ready for assembly
Precision component
Vacuum cast and painted, with fine surface detail
Why Nexterm
Engineering ideas into real parts
Design, prototyping and low-volume production with one team that understands the engineering behind the part.
Industries we serve
- Automotive
- Medical devices
- Consumer products
- Industrial equipment
In-house manufacturing
FDM, SLA, SLS, MJF and vacuum casting under one roof, for fast turnaround with full quality control.
Engineering-driven approach
End-to-end support across design, analysis, prototyping, assembly and low-volume production.
Industry expertise
Proven experience in automotive, medical devices, consumer products and industrial equipment.
Confidential & cost-effective
Confidential project handling with cost-effective manufacturing solutions.
Start a project
Have a part in mind?
Send us a CAD file, a sketch or a sample part. We'll recommend the right process, material and finish, and get back to you with a quote.