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Need 3D Printing Near Me? Here’s What to Look for in a Local Service Searching for “3D printing near me”? You’re not alone. Whether you’re
3D Riggers (Pty) Ltd
20/05/2025
Additive manufacturing, often referred to as industrial 3D printing, is no longer a niche prototyping tool — it’s a serious production method that’s helping businesses move faster, reduce costs, and respond to market demand with flexibility traditional manufacturing can’t match.
At 3D Riggers, we’ve seen firsthand how additive manufacturing transforms operations. We’ve printed everything from short-run POS components to thousands of packaging tools, helping companies replace slow, imported parts with fast, locally made alternatives.
In this guide, we’ll explain what additive manufacturing is, when it makes business sense, and how you can take advantage of it.
Additive manufacturing is the process of building parts layer by layer from a digital file — unlike traditional manufacturing, which typically removes material (CNC) or shapes it using molds (injection molding).
There are several methods under the additive umbrella, including:
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) – ideal for fast, cost-effective prototyping and functional parts
MJF/SLS (Multi Jet Fusion / Selective Laser Sintering) – for strong, production-grade plastic parts
SLA (Stereolithography) – for high-detail parts and smooth surface finishes
Common materials include:
PA12 Nylon – strong, lightweight, and perfect for production
PETG – chemical resistant and affordable
Polypropylene (PP-GF30) – tough and fuel-resistant
| Factor | Additive Manufacturing | Traditional Manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | Low | High (tooling, molds) |
| Ideal volume | Low to mid (1–10,000 units) | High (10,000+ units) |
| Turnaround | Days | Weeks to months |
| Design flexibility | High (easy to modify) | Low (mold/tooling limits) |
| Upfront lead time | Minimal | Long |
If you need parts fast, in smaller quantities, or want the flexibility to revise designs without retooling — additive wins.
We’ve helped dozens of companies across South Africa apply additive manufacturing in real scenarios:
One of our long-term clients manufactures point-of-sale systems. We produce functional housing and internal parts in batches, helping them avoid large import MOQ and slow lead times.
We printed 6,100+ branded cookie cutters for a local baking brand — all customized, packed, and delivered within days. Try doing that with traditional tooling.
A client that exports industrial piping needed durable end caps that could handle long-distance shipping. We print 500–1,000 units per order in PA12 — without ever needing a mold.
Additive manufacturing offers more than just design freedom — it solves real business problems:
Faster product development: Go from concept to part in days, not weeks.
No tooling costs: Save thousands on molds for low to mid-volume parts.
Agile production: Easily adjust designs or features between runs.
Local sourcing: Reduce dependency on overseas suppliers and fluctuating shipping rates.
Whether you’re a product designer or procurement lead, additive offers speed, flexibility, and cost savings — especially for low to medium production runs.
Additive manufacturing is ideal when:
You need less than 10,000 units
You expect design changes or iterations
You need fast turnaround or local sourcing
You’re launching a new product and validating market fit
It’s not ideal when:
You need high-gloss surfaces or perfect visual finishes (unless post-processed)
You’re producing hundreds of thousands of identical parts at the lowest possible unit price
The part requires ultra-high precision below 0.05 mm (though this gap is closing)
South African businesses are tired of waiting for imports, facing long customs delays, and dealing with rigid tooling timelines. Additive manufacturing gives them:
Speed to market
Design freedom without tooling
Predictable costs and lead times
Local support and communication
And with services like ours at 3D Riggers, they also get:
Quality control backed by engineering expertise
Fast lead times (3–7 days)
Batch production scaling from 10 to 10,000 parts
At 3D Riggers, we’ve built a full-service additive manufacturing operation, designed for South African businesses who need:
Fast turnaround times
Durable, production-grade parts
Engineer-reviewed models
Transparent pricing and consistent results
Whether you’re a startup needing prototypes or an established manufacturer looking for a better way to source plastic components — we’re here to help.
If you’re unsure whether additive manufacturing is the right fit, we offer:
✅ Free part reviews
✅ Test samples on MJF or FDM
✅ Support from engineers who understand real-world production challenges
📥 Contact us here or Join our mailing list for early access to our upcoming short course on additive manufacturing.
Additive manufacturing is no longer just a buzzword — it’s a smart, scalable solution for businesses looking to move faster, lower costs, and manufacture more flexibly. Whether you need prototypes, functional end-use parts, or low-to-mid volume production runs, this technology is changing how companies operate — and it’s doing so right here in South Africa.
At 3D Riggers, we’ve built our entire operation around additive manufacturing. With over 30 industrial 3D printers, engineer-reviewed designs, and a proven track record across industries, we’re proud to be one of South Africa’s leading additive manufacturing specialists.
We don’t just print parts — we solve supply chain problems, accelerate product timelines, and support local production with world-class quality and attention to detail.
If your business is looking to replace slow imports, eliminate tooling delays, or scale fast without compromising quality, then additive manufacturing might be the answer — and 3D Riggers is ready to help you make it happen.
📩 Reach out today for a part review, sample print, or to explore how additive manufacturing can fit into your supply chain.
Need 3D Printing Near Me? Here’s What to Look for in a Local Service Searching for “3D printing near me”? You’re not alone. Whether you’re
Additive Manufacturing? Additive manufacturing, often referred to as industrial 3D printing, is no longer a niche prototyping tool — it’s a serious production method that’s
