MLC 3D Printing Services
Power your product development with MLC’s 3D printing services. Combining 45 years of manufacturing expertise with fast, high-quality prototyping and small batch production.
MLC 3D Printing Overview
MLC 3D Printing Services combines decades of manufacturing experience with advanced additive technologies to deliver fast, high-quality parts for prototyping and short-run production.
Choose from four professional printing processes backed by expert design support and quick turnaround times of 1-5 business days.
Available Technologies
- Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
- Continuous Fiber Reinforced FFF (CF-FFF)
- Stereolithography (SLA)
- Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
MLC 3D Printing Service Applications
Rapid Prototyping and Design Validation
Accelerate your product development cycle with high-quality prototypes that accurately represent your final design intent, enabling faster design iterations and more informed decision-making throughout the development process.
Small Batch Production to Bridge Manufacturing
Bridge the gap between prototyping and full-scale production with cost-effective small batch manufacturing that eliminates the need for expensive tooling while maintaining consistent quality and delivery schedules.
Custom Tooling and Manufacturing Aids
Create specialized jigs, fixtures, and manufacturing tools that improve production efficiency and quality while reducing lead times and costs compared to traditional machining methods.
Functional Testing and End-Use Parts
Produce functional components for testing, validation, and end-use applications using production-grade materials that meet the demanding requirements of real-world operating conditions.
MLC 3D Printing Technologies & Capabilities
MLC offers a diverse selection of engineering-grade materials designed to meet a wide range of performance, aesthetic, and environmental requirements. This guide provides detailed technical specifications, including mechanical properties, temperature resistance, and application suitability for each supported material across our four additive manufacturing technologies FFF, CF-FFF, SLA, and SLS
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
FFF produces durable thermoplastic parts with excellent accuracy and repeatability. Ideal for functional prototypes, production components, and parts with complex geometries that require tight tolerances.
Our flagship composite material combines the ease of printing thermoplastics with the strength and stiffness of carbon fiber reinforcement, creating parts that are 1.4 times stronger and 40 times stiffer than standard ABS plastic while maintaining excellent surface finish and dimensional stability.
Carbon fiber reinforcement provides maximum strength and stiffness for structural applications, Kevlar reinforcement offers exceptional impact resistance and flexibility for protective components, fiberglass reinforcement delivers balanced mechanical properties at cost-effective pricing, and high-strength high-temperature fiberglass provides enhanced performance in elevated temperature environments up to 145°C continuous use.
PLA offers excellent printability and surface finish for concept models and non-functional prototypes, TPU provides flexible elastomeric properties for gaskets and flexible components, food-safe white nylon meets FDA requirements for food contact applications, standard white nylon delivers excellent mechanical properties for functional parts, ONYX ESD provides electrostatic discharge protection for electronics applications, ONYX-FR offers flame retardant properties for safety-critical applications, and ONYX-FR A (V0 Rated) meets aerospace flame retardancy requirements.
Continuous Fiber Reinforced FFF (CF-FFF)
CF-FFF embeds continuous strands of carbon fiber, Kevlar, or fiberglass into thermoplastic matrices to achieve metal-like strength at a fraction of the weight. Perfect for lightweight, load-bearing components in aerospace, automotive, and industrial uses.
Stereolithography (SLA)
SLA uses precision laser-cured resin to create smooth, highly detailed parts that mirror injection-molded quality. Best for visual prototypes, fit-check models, and applications where surface finish and dimensional accuracy matter most.
Our high-temperature formulations provide heat deflection temperatures up to 238°C at 0.45 MPa, making them ideal for applications involving exposure to elevated temperatures such as automotive under-hood components, industrial equipment housings, and thermal testing fixtures.
Tough 2000 resin delivers mechanical properties similar to ABS plastic with excellent impact resistance, Grey V5 provides general-purpose prototyping capabilities with matte surface finish and dimensional accuracy, and Rigid 10K offers glass-filled properties with extreme stiffness comparable to fiber-reinforced thermoplastics.
Clear V5 resin polishes to near-optical transparency for applications requiring visual inspection of internal features or aesthetic transparency, while Flexible 80A provides elastomeric properties with Shore A 80 durometer for applications requiring rubber-like flexibility and compression resistance.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Fuses powdered nylon into strong, end-use parts without support structures. Enables complex internal geometries, moving assemblies, and lattice designs with excellent durability and consistent surface finish.
Our standard SLS material provides excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability with the ability to produce complex geometries without support structures, making it ideal for functional prototypes and end-use parts requiring durability and precision.
MLC 3D Printing Materials & Specifications
Our broad material portfolio supports a wide range of performance needs from lightweight prototypes to production-grade components. Choose from engineering thermoplastics, reinforced composites, and high-resolution resins designed to meet demanding industry standards.
Material Options for 3D Printing:
- FFF Materials: Onyx carbon-fiber nylon, engineering thermoplastics (PLA, TPU, Nylon), and flame-retardant or ESD-safe options.
- Continuous Fiber Reinforcements: Carbon fiber, Kevlar, fiberglass, and high-temp fiberglass for strength, flexibility, or heat resistance.
- SLA Resins: High-temp, tough, rigid, clear, and flexible formulations for detailed or specialized parts.
- SLS Powders: Nylon PA12 and other durable materials for functional, end-use applications.
MLC 3D PRINTING FAQs
What file formats do you accept for 3D printing projects?
We accept STL, STEP, IGES, OBJ, and SOLIDWORKS files (.sldprt). If you’re working with a different file format or are unsure about compatibility, simply send us what you have and our team will work with you to ensure successful file processing and optimal print results.
What materials and 3D printing technologies do you offer?
We offer four advanced 3D printing technologies: FFF/FDM with standard and continuous fiber reinforced materials, SLA with engineering resins including high-temperature and flexible options, SLS with nylon materials, and specialized metal printing capabilities available by request. Our material selection includes over 20 different options optimized for various applications and performance requirements.
What are your typical turnaround times for 3D printing projects?
Standard turnaround time is 1-5 business days depending on project complexity, part quantity, and post-processing requirements. Rush orders are available for urgent projects, and we work closely with clients to accommodate specific delivery requirements and project deadlines.
Do you offer design assistance and engineering consultation?
Yes, parameter optimization, material selection guidance, and post-processing recommendations to ensure optimal results for your specific application requirements.
What is your minimum order size and do you handle large production runs?
We have no minimum order size and regularly handle projects ranging from single prototype parts to production runs of several hundred components. Our scalable manufacturing capabilities and flexible scheduling allow us to accommodate projects of any size while maintaining consistent quality and delivery performance.
Do you provide post-processing and finishing services?
Yes, we offer comprehensive post-processing services including support structure removal, surface finishing through sanding and polishing, custom dyeing and painting, threaded insert installation, assembly services for multi-component projects, and specialized finishing techniques tailored to specific application requirements.
Can you produce production-quality parts suitable for end-use applications?
Absolutely. We regularly manufacture functional and production-ready parts using advanced materials and processes including SLS nylon components and continuous fiber reinforced FFF parts that meet demanding mechanical property requirements for end-use applications across aerospace, automotive, medical, and industrial markets.
Do you ship internationally and what are your shipping options?
We ship throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico with international shipping options available upon request. We work with multiple shipping carriers to provide flexible delivery options including standard ground shipping, expedited delivery, and specialized handling for sensitive or high-value components.
How do you ensure quality and consistency in your 3D printing services?
Our quality assurance program includes calibrated equipment maintenance, documented process parameters, dimensional verification using precision measurement equipment, surface finish inspection, material property validation, and comprehensive documentation for every project to ensure consistent results and full traceability.