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Professional 3D printing services (B2B)

From design to production

Product design and 3D printing services offer a wide range of applications and technologies, including industrial additive manufacturing.

R&D development, cost reduction, material optimization… these are some of the challenges faced by companies, and we are committed to supporting them with our expertise in industrial and professional 3D printing (B2B).

For Prodways Group, 3D printing services include INITIAL and CREABIS:

2 centers of excellence

2 centers of excellence

Of 5,500 m² and 70 high-tech machines

1 ordering platform

1 ordering platform

Available online 24/7

Certifications & approvals

Certifications & approvals

ISO 9001 – EN 9100​ and Approvals CIR – CII

Leading industrial players in Europe, INITIAL and CREABIS, subsidiaries of Prodways Group, have been ensuring product engineering, development, and production of your parts for 35 years.

INITIAL and CREABIS offer turnkey global solutions, with a team of experts who guide you toward the most suitable technological choices for your requirements.

We are involved in:
​Product engineering and development: Design office, 3D scanning, 3D Scan inspection.
Parts production: Additive manufacturing and 3D printing, Vacuum casting, Injection mold tooling, plastic et metal.

Les étapes de conception

1. Product engineering and development

1. Product engineering and development

2. 3D Scanning & reverse engineering

2. 3D Scanning & reverse engineering

3. Digital simulation

3. Digital simulation

4. Parts production

4. Parts production

5. Finishing & Post Process

5. Finishing & Post Process

Product Engineering & Development

The design office supports you in the development of your products: from the specifications to industrialization. We simplify your project development by providing everything you need for the creation of functional prototypes or subcontractor consultations.

3D Scanning

Initial’s 3D Scan division is a reference in reverse engineering and contactless measurement. The design team has extensive expertise in product design combined with an innovative approach.

Thanks to its optical 3D scanner, 3D scanning is an integral part of Initial’s DNA. Any shape is captured and then transformed into a digital file using several techniques: either through contactless measurement or reverse engineering.

Prodways Group - Scan 3D / Numérisation 3D

Design & Simulation

With over 30 years of expertise in CAD design, the teams at Initial and Creabis take into account your constraints, whether economic, technical, or aesthetic, ensuring the production and quality (functional, dimensional, aesthetic) of your parts through digital simulation and 3D inspection. Our multi-sector experience guarantees a deep understanding of your specific needs.

Prodways Group - Initial - Fabrication Additive - SLS - SLA - DMLS -  à Seynod/Annecy

Parts Production

On-demand Parts and 3D Prototyping

As pioneers in the prototyping market, INITIAL and CREABIS offer various complementary services, organized by activity sectors.

The design office supports you in the development of your products: from CAD design to prototype validation, bringing your ideas to life!

Design on-demand parts with a 3D printing service

Designing parts with a 3D printing service like INITIAL or CREABIS offers a solution to realize your projects and products.

Our centers of excellence in France and Germany can design and then produce your products through our design office.

  • Initial has a fleet of over 40 machines for the production of your parts, products, and prototypes.
  • Creabis has cutting-edge technologies and a wide variety of materials. 

Thus, our team of experts can support you on a complex project, from the initial drafts to the final product, thanks to:

  1. Expertise in a wide range of sectors
  2. A wide selection of materials and 3D printing technologies tailored to your projects
  3. Customized services
  4. Complete solutions with dedicated points of contact providing ongoing support
  5. An optimized time-to-market throughout the entire production chain

Everything is put in place to provide you with a solution that meets your expectations!

Print on-demand parts online

Initial-plateforme-de-commande-en-ligne-Prodline-Prodways-Group

Do you have a simple project, know exactly what you need, and want to receive your parts quickly?

Our online ordering platforms are available 24/7.

Trust us with your projects and print your parts through our webshop:

Webshop CREABIS

Webshop CREABIS

Webshop INITIAL

Webshop INITIAL

Prodways Initial fabrication additive plastique et metallique impression 3D ingenierie scan 3D injection thermoplastique a Seynod/Annecy

Our 3D printing technologies

INITIAL and CREABIS stand out in the field of 3D printing through their expertise in a wide range of materials and advanced printing techniques. They offer a broad selection of materials for 3D printing, including plastics, resins, metals, and composites, to meet the specific requirements of each project.

Among the advanced 3D printing technologies used, here are the most common ones:

Prodways Group – Aeronautics & Aerospace

Our 3D printing services provide customized solutions, from unique technical parts to production series, tailored to the needs of various industrial sectors, from aerospace to healthcare, including automotive and luxury.

Prodways Group - Initial - Fabrication Additive grâce à la technologie DMLS à Seynod/Annecy

Post-process and post-printing finishes

Our subsidiaries offer an extensive range of post-processing services for prototypes and parts produced by 3D printing or otherwise, covering high-quality finishes and markings.

With a wide selection of paints, including:

  • Metallic options
  • A wide range of shades
  • Different surface finishes such as satin, matte, smooth
  • Trowalizing (vibratory polishing)
  • DyeMansion dyeing
  • Various methods of chemical smoothing, special coatings, metallization, and spray painting
  • The RIM (Reaction Injection Molding) method, etc.
Prodways Group - Post process et finitions post-impression

For more details on post-processing, contact us.

Prodways Group - Numérisation - Service d'Impression 3D Professionnel

On-demand parts/Other design methods

Injection mold tooling

INITIAL, an expert in additive manufacturing, also supports you in the development and production of your parts using thermoplastic injection moulding.

  • Prototypes, small series production, functional models… INITIAL technologies enable you to bring all your projects to life.
  • A tailored approach, from the design phase to prototyping, all the way to manufacturing
Prodways Group - Initial - Fabrication Additive grâce à l'injection thermoplastique à Seynod/Annecy

Vacuum casting

Initial and Creabis also offer a manufacturing method called vacuum casting, or vacuum duplication, which allows for the faithful creation of parts from an original model using a silicone mold.

Vacuum casting provides an economical and efficient solution for producing high-quality parts, while offering flexibility tailored to the varied needs of clients.

Prodways Group - Initial - Fabrication Additive grâce à la coulée sous vide à Seynod/Annecy

Design and 3D printing services for all industries

Our services apply to all industries, from medical to luxury, including automotive and aerospace, but our solutions are adaptable to all sectors and needs. Let’s discuss!

FAQ

What is 3D printing?

3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is a technology that allows for the creation of three-dimensional objects by adding successive layers of material, typically from a digital model.

This technique is used in various fields, from industry to medicine, as well as design, to produce prototypes, functional parts, or even custom objects. Thanks to its flexibility and precision, 3D printing is revolutionizing the way products are designed and manufactured.

What are the 3 types of 3D printing processes?

The three main types of 3D printing processes are:

  1. FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling): This process uses a melted plastic filament, deposited layer by layer to create the object.

  2. SLA (Stereolithography): This technique uses a laser to cure a liquid photosensitive resin, forming successive layers.

  3. SLS (Selective Laser Sintering): A laser fuses material powder (plastic, metal) to form each layer of the object.

These are the most commonly used depending on the needs for precision, materials, and applications.

Which types of 3D printing processes to choose?

The choice of 3D printing process depends on several factors, including the type of material, the required precision, the complexity of the part, and the final use. Therefore, the choice will depend on the specific needs of your project, and our teams will help you make the best choice of technology and material for the most accurate result possible.

How much does a professional 3D printing service cost?

The cost of a professional 3D printing service can vary significantly depending on the project and the complexity of the design, the type of material used, the chosen printing technology, and the size of the object to be printed.

Generally, prices can range from a few dozen euros for small, simple parts to several hundred or even thousands of euros for larger, more complex objects or those using specialized materials like metal.

It is often recommended to request a personalized quote to get an accurate estimate.

What are the benefits of using 3D printing services like those of Prodways?

Using a 3D printing service like Prodways offers several benefits:

  1. Expertise and Quality: Access to cutting-edge technologies and skilled professionals to ensure high-precision and high-quality prints.

  2. Customization: Ability to create custom parts tailored to the specific needs of each project.

  3. Time and Cost Savings: Reduced production times and costs associated with prototyping and manufacturing.

  4. Flexibility: A wide range of materials and techniques to adapt to various industrial sectors.

How to design on-demand parts with 3D printing?

If you already know what you want to print and in which technology or material, you can order online through a on-demand parts design platform like Initial. You can be sure to save time and enjoy fast delivery of your parts.

What types of files are supported for 3D printing?

The most commonly supported file types for 3D printing include:

  1. STL (Stereolithography): The most widely used format, describing the geometric surface of the object.
  2. OBJ: Supports 3D geometries and texture information, often used for complex prints.
  3. 3MF (3D Manufacturing Format): A more modern format that retains more details about the model, such as colors and materials.
  4. AMF (Additive Manufacturing File Format): Another advanced format that supports multi-material structures.

These files allow 3D printers to read and execute digital models for manufacturing.

What level of 3D printing quality can I expect with Prodways?

With Prodways, you can expect 3D printing quality characterized by micrometric precision, fine details, and flawless finishes. Through the use of advanced technologies and high-quality materials, Prodways ensures prints that meet the highest standards, both for prototypes and final parts, across various industrial sectors.

What materials are available for 3D printing?

For 3D printing, a wide range of materials is available, including:
 
  1. Plastics: PLA, ABS, PETG, nylon, etc.
  2. Resins: Standard resins, flexible resins, biocompatible resins.
  3. Metals: Stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, etc.
  4. Ceramics: For specific applications requiring heat resistance or chemical inertness.
  5. Composites: Fiber-reinforced materials, such as carbon fiber or glass composites.

These materials cater to various needs, from prototyping to the production of final parts.