Bottom line: jigs, fixtures and tooling favour stiffness, dimensional stability, wear resistance and repeatable production rather than maximum surface finish. PA-CF and PC are common choices, while PETG and PLA suit lighter duties. The load direction and contact wear decide the grade.
Selection by duty
| Application | Direction | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Light fixtures | PLA, PETG | Heat and wear |
| Repeated-contact jigs | PA-CF, PC | Layer strength |
| Temperature-exposed tools | PC, PPS | Chamber and drying |
| High-precision gauges | Dimensionally stable grades | Shrinkage and moisture |
Design notes
- Make contact areas replaceable.
- Keep the load in-plane.
- Increase wall count for stiffness.
- Allow for thermal expansion.
- Dry moisture-sensitive materials.
Costly mistakes
- Ignoring wear at contact points.
- Printing PA-CF without drying.
- Thin walls under load.
- No calibration check.
- Using brass nozzles with filled grades.
Buyer / engineer checklist
- What is the duty cycle?
- What temperature applies?
- Is contact wear expected?
- Can the printer run the grade?
- Is calibration required?
Describe the tooling application and we can recommend material and structure.Tooling advice