Our Quality Standards for 3D Printing at SGD 3D

All of our parts are produced to the highest standards, following our UKAS certified BS EN ISO 9001:2015 certified quality management system

All parts are manufactured by depositing material in layers, with this comes artefacts that are explained in our handy expert guide here

For all parts produced, we strongly recommend post-processing (extra service charge) to achieve the best results.

Layer Height

Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing works by depositing layers of material in a chosen direction. As a general rule of thumb – the smaller the layer height, the greater the part resolution. To see which layer height suits your application, see our handy table below:

Standard (FDM)

Our standard resolution (200μm) is a great balance between quality and cost. Perfect for engineering designs or parts where surface quality isn’t critical.

HQ (FDM & SLS)

Perfect for detailed, functional plastic parts, our high quality (100μm) resolution provides excellent surface quality and strength for a slightly increased cost.

Ultra HQ (SLA)

Closest achievable surface finish to injection moulded parts, our ultra high quality (50μm) resolution provides a superior finish and incredible detail.

Manufacturing Standards

We manufacture your parts according to our strict manufacturing standards. If required, we can provide an inspection report for parts as an additional service if requested.

Average dimensional accuracy of ± 0.5% with a lower limit of ± 0.5 mm
Minimum wall thickness of 1.2 mm for all infill parts
Consistent surface finish – no delamination or scars

Our Quality Control Process

At SGD 3D, quality isn’t an afterthought — it’s the foundation of every print. From prototype to production, every part is inspected to meet our strict dimensional and surface-finish standards.

Our quality control workflow combines precision metrology tools, process validation, and expert review to ensure your prints perform as intended.

Our commitment to quality starts with process selection. Explore the full range of 3D printing technologies we offer, including FDM, SLA, and SLS — each optimised for precision and performance.

Here’s how we maintain exceptional results:

Material Verification – Every filament, resin, and powder is inspected for moisture levels, colour consistency, and batch traceability before printing.
Process Calibration – Printers are calibrated daily for temperature accuracy, layer height precision, and extrusion uniformity.
In-Process Monitoring – Each print run is visually checked for layer adhesion, warping, or surface irregularities in real time.
Dimensional Inspection – Finished parts are measured using digital callipers or 3D scanning tools to verify tolerances as tight as ±0.1 mm.
Surface Finishing Review – Depending on your chosen quality level (Standard, HQ, or Ultra HQ), we assess layer visibility, surface texture, and post-processing requirements.

Our commitment ensures industrial-grade 3D printing quality that’s fast, reliable, and consistent across every project — whether it’s a single prototype or a full production batch.

Precision You Can Measure

When you order from SGD 3D, quality means more than visual appeal — it means dimensional accuracy, reliability, and repeatability. Every print is checked against design intent using advanced tools, ensuring your parts match CAD specifications within the stated tolerance range. Whether you’re producing a prototype or scaling up to short-run manufacturing, you can trust that each layer is precisely where it should be.

The materials we use play a crucial role in achieving consistent results. Learn more about our 3D printing materials and their performance properties to choose the right option for your next project.

Our engineers validate all parts for fit, form, and function before shipment. For technical projects, we also offer optional quality reports detailing measurement data, inspection photos, and material verification results — a service appreciated by design engineers and production managers alike.

Why Choose SGD 3D for Quality?

UK-based production and fulfilment — fast turnaround (1–3 days)
Transparent quality tiers with clear tolerances
Expert advice from engineers who print daily
ISO-aligned inspection approach
Dedicated aftercare and reprint support if standards aren’t met

With thousands of parts produced for clients across manufacturing, automotive, and consumer product sectors, SGD 3D sets the benchmark for precision additive manufacturing in the UK.

Balancing Speed and Quality

With most parts shipped in 1–3 working days, SGD 3D combines rapid turnaround with uncompromising precision. We continuously optimise print parameters to reduce layer time while maintaining consistent mechanical performance. This process efficiency ensures customers get the best of both worlds — production-grade quality without long lead times or minimum order quantities.

Our team uses a combination of FDM, SLS, and SLA technologies, each carefully tuned for the part’s purpose:

FDM: ideal for durable, cost-effective prototypes
SLS: strong, functional nylon parts for engineering use
SLA: ultra-smooth, presentation-ready components

For a complete overview of our capabilities, visit our 3D printing services page to see how we combine speed, accuracy, and scalability across every order.

By selecting the right process and quality tier, you receive the perfect balance between surface finish, strength, and speed.

Continuous Improvement

Quality at SGD 3D isn’t static — it evolves. We collect performance data from every print to identify trends, enhance calibration routines, and refine support strategies. This commitment to continuous improvement allows us to deliver industrial-level precision to every client, project after project.