Getting a part 3D printed without a file: the guide

A broken dishwasher clip, an oven knob you cannot find, a bracket that exists in no catalogue. You want to get a part 3D printed, but you have no file, no software and no wish to learn any. That is the situation of most of our individual customers.

Good news: there is nothing to know before you start. This guide explains what we ask for, how to measure well, how to choose the material for the use, and what makes the price vary.

Step 1: describe the need

Before measuring, three pieces of information change everything:

• What is the part for? A decorative cover and a part that carries a load are not made the same way.
• Where will it be used? In a drawer, in the dishwasher, behind an oven, outdoors all year: the material depends on the place.
• What does it connect to? A screw, a clip, a fit on another part. These areas need the most accurate dimensions.

One sentence is enough: "Clip holding the upper dishwasher rack, exposed to hot water and daily handling." With that, we already know which material to lean towards.

Step 2: photos and dimensions

Without a file, the part is redrawn from what you send us. The more precise the information, the more accurate the result on the first try.

Photos

• Shoot the part from several angles: top, bottom, sides.
• Place it next to a ruler or a coin to give the scale.
• Also photograph where it fits, with its attachment points.
• If the part is broken, keep every piece, even small ones.

Dimensions

• A ruler is enough for large dimensions. Calipers (about ten euros at a DIY store) give a tenth of a millimetre and make a difference on hole diameters and thicknesses.
• Note the functional dimensions first: those that fit, screw or slide. A decorative dimension can be approximate, a fitting dimension cannot.
• Measure the opening or housing that receives the part, not only the part.

If in doubt or if the part is complex, do not force it. We can take the exact dimensions from the original, by appointment in Lille or after posting it. For shapes that calipers do not capture well, our article on reproducing a part without a drawing compares manual measurement and other methods.

Step 3: modelling

Once photos and dimensions are in, we draw the part in 3D. This step replaces the file you do not have. We take printing into account: wall thickness, fit clearance, orientation so the part withstands the main load.

You validate on a capture of the model before printing. On delivery, we also hand you the file: you can remake the part later without starting from scratch.

This service is detailed on our page on 3D modelling in Lille. It is quoted separately from printing, which keeps the quote readable.

Step 4: choosing the material for the use

This is where mistakes cost the most. A well-drawn part in the wrong material warps or breaks. We print in FDM (plastic), with PLA and PETG permanently in stock.

Use	Recommended material	Why
Indoors, no heat: storage, bracket, decoration	PLA	Easy to print, clean finish, in stock
Moderate heat, humidity, light impacts	PETG	Better with water and temperature
Outdoors, sun, rain	ASA	Resists UV and weather
Flexible part: seal, bumper, guard	TPU	Elastic
Part that must be stiff and carry a load	Carbon nylon	High stiffness

Two rules to keep in mind:

• PLA softens from around 55 °C. A car in summer or the vicinity of an oven or radiator is enough. In those cases we print in PETG or ASA.
• We do not guarantee prolonged food-contact use of a printed part. The layers can retain residues and we cannot certify the material in that context. For direct, repeated contact with food, it is better to avoid it.

We also decline parts whose failure would be dangerous (load-bearing fixings, safety). Material details are on our materials page.

A part replacing an original made of engineering plastic may sometimes be less strong than it. We say so before producing, and we can thicken fragile areas.

Step 5: lead times

• Standard: 5 to 7 working days after quote approval.
• Express: 48 to 72 hours on request, depending on machine availability.
• Technical materials (ABS, ASA, TPU, carbon nylon): allow about two extra days, as they are ordered on demand.

The longest delay is often the measuring: a forgotten dimension costs more time than a print. Hence the value of preparing step 2 well.

What sets the price, with no surprises

We do not list catalogue prices: every part is different. Here is what makes it up, in order of importance:

1. Modelling. Redrawing a part takes time depending on complexity. A simple shape costs little, an organic shape with several fits more.
2. Volume and weight of material. The bigger and more solid the part, the more plastic and machine hours it uses.
3. The material. PLA and PETG are the most economical; technical materials cost more.
4. Lead time. Express is more expensive than standard.
5. Preparation fee. A fixed part, €15 per FDM order, covers file and plate preparation.
6. Quantity. From one part, but two or three copies in the same order spread the preparation better.

For the full logic, read our article on how much custom 3D printing costs. And for a first order of magnitude in two minutes, our estimation tool is enough.

In Lille, or elsewhere in France

If you are in the Lille area, our page on custom parts in Lille details pickup by appointment and delivery included in the metropolitan area. Elsewhere in France, postal shipping works the same way: you send photos and dimensions, we send back the part.

Is yours a specific breakdown? Our broken part page answers the most common questions on replacement.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a 3D file to get a part printed?

No. From photos and dimensions, or from the original, we model the part ourselves. If you already have a file, attach it: it skips the modelling step.

What information should I send for a quote?

Photos from several angles with a ruler visible, the dimensions that matter for the fit, and a sentence on how the part is used. The more precise, the more reliable the quote.

Can a plastic part broken into several pieces be remade?

Yes, as long as the pieces let us understand the shape. Keep them all. We redraw the whole part, often reinforcing the area that gave way.

Which material for a part exposed to heat?

Avoid PLA, which softens around 55 °C. PETG suits moderate heat, ASA suits outdoors and UV. We advise based on where it is used.

Is a printed part suitable for food contact?

We do not guarantee prolonged food-contact use of a printed part. For direct, repeated contact with food, we do not recommend FDM printing.

How long until I receive my part?

5 to 7 working days as standard, 48 to 72 hours express on request. Technical materials add about two days.

How much does it cost?

It depends on modelling, volume, material and lead time. Run an online estimate for an order of magnitude, or describe the part to us for a detailed quote within 24 hours.