Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

B»Shipping & Delivery Times

B1. What shipping methods does 3Faktur offer?
B2. What are the delivery times?
B3. What tariff codes (HS codes) are used?

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C»Payment Methods

C1. What payment methods does 3Faktur offer?

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D»Technical Questions

D1. What 3D printing processes does 3Faktur offer?
D2. What post-processing options are available?
D3. What are minimum wall thicknesses, maximum sizes, and other limitations?

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Order Process Shipping & Delivery Times Payment Methods Technical Questions

A»Order Process

A1. What is the minimum order value?

• Per order: EUR 50,- plus VAT
• For post-processing:
  • Minimum order value for tumbling: EUR 50,- plus VAT per order
  • Minimum order value for painting: EUR 100,- plus VAT per order
  • Minimum order value for chemical smoothing: EUR 7,- plus VAT per part

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A2. What discounts are available?

Discounts are calculated based on the total volume and quantity of parts in an order. To determine the discount for a part in the instant quote, you can adjust the quantity in the configurator.

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A3. What file formats can I upload?

For an instant quote, you can use the following formats: STL, STP, STEP

If you have other 3D formats and cannot convert them or export them as STEP, please contact our customer service.

Please note: Drawings, illustrations, and photos cannot be used to generate an offer.

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A4. What is the difference between an instant quote and a manual quote?

In an instant quote, you upload your CAD data to our online configurator, and based on your specifications (e.g., material, color, finishing options and quantity), a price is immediately calculated. You can also download this quote. For online orders or downloaded quotes (without modifications), you will receive a 3% online discount.

In a manual quote, you submit the data to us, and a customer service representative will create a quote for you. This process takes a maximum of one working day.

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A5. Can I download my instant quote as a PDF?

You can find detailed instructions on our page: “Quote and Order Process”.

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A6. How does the order process work?

You can find detailed instructions on our page: “Quote and Order Process”.

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A7. How long is an offer valid?

Unless otherwise agreed, an offer is valid for 30 days.

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A8. How are the prices calculated?

Our prices are calculated using an algorithm that takes various factors from the 3D model into account, such as the maximum dimensions of the part or the necessary material volume.

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A9. I have a 2D image and I want to have it as a 3D model. How does that work?

If it is a standardized technical drawing, it may be possible to create a 3D file. Please contact our customer service for this. The effort will be charged based on the required hours.

We cannot create 3D data based on rough sketches, photos of components, or non-technical geometries (such as organic structures, etc.).

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A10. Are there other ways to transmit the data?

For a manual quote or order, you can send your files to us via email in addition to our online portal. Alternatively, you can use other transfer systems such as WeTransfer ⇑, Whisply ⇑ or your internal solutions (e.g., FTP server).

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A11. Can we sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)?

You can fill out our non-disclosure agreement and generate a PDF directly. This way, you can simply print out the template and add your signature.

You can also send us a non-disclosure agreement from your company by email. It will be reviewed, and if no issues arise, it will be signed within 3 working days.

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A12. I am ordering from abroad. Can I place an order without value-added tax (VAT)?

In which cases can the calculation of VAT be waived?
Deliveries outside the EU and intra-community deliveries to companies within the EU may be exempt from VAT. For an intra-community delivery, the indication of the company’s VAT identification number (VAT ID) is mandatory.

Both cases require that the delivery is made to the respective country. A delivery within Germany is subject to VAT even with a foreign billing address.

Procedure
When placing your order in our online system, provide the corresponding billing and delivery addresses. For companies within the EU, also provide the VAT ID. The system will automatically calculate the VAT.

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A13. Can I get a quote with a drawing or an image instead of a 3D file?

Unfortunately, that is not possible. Various parameters from the 3D file are used for calculating the production prices, which cannot be easily extracted from an image file.

From a standardized technical drawing, a 3D model can be created for an additional fee. We do not offer the creation of 3D data based on sketches, schematic drawings, or photos as a general service.

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Order Process Shipping & Delivery Times Payment Methods Technical Questions

B»Shipping & Delivery Times

B1. What shipping methods does 3Faktur offer?

We only ship within Germany using DHL Express (next business day delivery) for a flat rate of EUR 12,- plus VAT (EUR 14.28 including VAT) regardless of the quantity.

For urgent orders, the option “Delivery by 12 p.m. the next business day” is available. For this service, we charge EUR 20,- plus VAT (EUR 23.80 including VAT; also a flat rate regardless of the quantity).

If you have multiple orders that need to be shipped to the same delivery address on the same date, you can choose the “Shipping Combination” option for subsequent orders after selecting your shipping preference for the first order. Your orders will be delivered in one package, and the shipping costs will only be charged once.

Local pickup is also possible. More information (including international shipping): Shipping Methods

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B2. What are the delivery times?

The delivery time corresponds to the production time (indicated when placing the order) plus the shipping time:

• The production time always indicates the maximum duration of production, but in most cases, the parts are shipped earlier. If there are production delays of more than one business day, we will contact you. You can find the options for different production times on the material pages for Polyamide 12 and for TPU.
• Shipping is done with DHL Express (next business day delivery) for all shipments within Germany (excluding islands).

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B3. What customs tariff numbers (HS codes) are used?

Plastic parts (PA 12, TPU): HS code 39269097

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Order Process Shipping & Delivery Times Payment Methods Technical Questions

C»Payment Methods

C1. What payment methods does 3Faktur offer?

• Companies: Invoice payment, PayPal, credit card
• Universities, authorities, public institutions: Invoice payment, PayPal, credit card
• Private customers: Only advance payment (PayPal, credit card, bank transfer)

Note: All payment methods are free of charge.

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Order Process Shipping & Delivery Times Payment Methods Technical Questions

D»Technical Questions

3Faktur specializes in the Multi Jet Fusion process. We currently offer four materials:

• Polyamide 12 (PA 12), a strong and highly resilient plastic.
• Polyamide 12 W, also a PA 12 but completely white and can therefore be colored.
• TPU, an elastomer with a Shore hardness of A 88 – 90.
• Polyamide 11, a flexible plastic for dynamic loads (snap connections, etc.) and orthoses.

Our focus on one manufacturing technology enables the economical and high-quality additive manufacturing of small and medium-sized series.

We have a complete, now largely automated, process chain that allows us to ensure a high level of replicability. Thanks to our flexible production and high machine capacities, we are also able to produce large orders at short notice. This is also demonstrated by our on-time quota of >99% from 2021.

3Faktur works with a QMS according to ISO 9001:2015 and is also certified according to prEN ISO/ASTM 52920 as an industrial additive manufacturing facility.

turing technology allows for cost-effective and high-quality additive manufacturing of small and medium series.

We have a complete process chain, which is now highly automated, ensuring high replicability. Furthermore, due to our flexible production and high machine capacities, we are capable of producing large orders at short notice. This is reflected in our on-time rate of >99% in 2021.

3Faktur operates with a QMS according to ISO 9001:2015 and is also certified as an industrial additive manufacturing facility according to prEN ISO/ASTM 52920.

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D2. What post-processing options are available?

The following standard procedures are offered for Polyamide 12:

• Black dyeing: Dyeing followed by a second blasting process known as shot peening or “compaction blasting”. Suitable for visible parts to achieve a more homogeneous and scratch-resistant surface.
• Chemical smoothing: A chemical surface sealing and smoothing process. Suitable for easier cleaning of components (e.g., in medical and cleanroom technology), gas and liquid-carrying components (surface sealing for leak tightness), and visible parts requiring a high gloss level.

Additional options such as vibratory grinding (reducing surface roughness) and coating (wet painting) are available upon request. An overview of our surface treatments can be found here.

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D3. What are the minimum wall thicknesses, maximum sizes, and other limitations?

The technical requirements, such as minimum wall thicknesses, clearances, or maximum size, depend on the material. You can find the relevant information on the material detail pages:

• Polyamide 12 (PA 12)
• Polyamide 12 white (PA 12 W)
• TPU
• Polyamide 11 (PA 11)

The information can be found under the “Detailed Notes” section. For further questions, please contact our customer service at 03641 225910-20 or contact us via email.

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