A snapped clip can put a whole appliance out of use. So can a lost knob or a cracked bracket, and the manufacturer often no longer sells the part, or only sells it inside a much bigger assembly. A 3D printed replacement is often the quickest and cheapest way to get the thing working again.
Upload your model for an instant price
If you already have a 3D file of the part, upload it and you will see the price in seconds. If you do not, read on.
Parts that 3D printing replaces well
- Knobs, dials and handles for appliances, furniture and equipment.
- Clips, catches and latches, including battery covers and lid catches.
- Brackets, mounts and spacers.
- Covers, caps and end plugs, such as furniture feet and tube end caps.
- Organisers and fittings: drawer dividers, shelf supports, hooks and cable guides.
- Parts for toys, models and hobby gear.
- Spares for older equipment where the original supplier has gone.
Parts that are not a good fit
Be realistic about what a printed plastic part can do. Do not replace a safety-critical component with a printed part: anything in brakes, steering, lifting gear, pressure systems or electrical safety. If failure could hurt someone, get engineering advice first.
Also think about heat. Our FDM printers in the instant quote print PLA and flexible TPU, and PLA softens at fairly low temperatures. It is a poor choice for parts inside a car that sits in the sun, in a dishwasher, near a heater or close to a motor. Ask us about those jobs rather than ordering PLA.
Getting a 3D model of your part
The printer needs a 3D file. There are a few ways to get one:
- Check the manufacturer and model libraries. Some manufacturers publish spare-part models, and online model libraries often have common replacement parts already drawn. Search for the product and model number.
- Draw it yourself. Simple parts such as brackets, spacers and knobs can be measured with callipers and drawn in free CAD software in an evening. Export as STL, 3MF, OBJ or STEP.
- Reverse engineer it. For complex or curved shapes, the part can be scanned or carefully measured and rebuilt as a clean model. Our article on 3D scanning and reverse engineering parts that no longer exist explains how that works, what it involves and when it is worth it.
If you are stuck, email quotes@3dprinting.zone with photos of the part from several angles, a ruler in the shot, and a description of what it does. We will tell you what is possible.
Making the replacement last longer than the original
A reprint is a chance to fix the weakness that broke the original. If it snapped at a sharp inside corner, round that corner off. If a wall cracked, make it thicker. Small design changes like these often make the printed part outlast the moulded one.
When you order, choose a higher infill for parts that take a load. The default is 20%, and you can set anywhere from 0% to 100% in 5% steps. For clips, brackets and anything that gets pushed or pulled, 40% or more is a sensible start. Our guide to designing for FDM covers wall thickness and tolerances, and choosing a material for functional parts explains where each plastic fits. For worn rubber feet, stoppers, seals and covers, TPU is a flexible option in the instant quote, and for parts that get hot or take knocks, such as car clips, choose PETG.
Order a spare while you are at it
Once the model exists, printing a second copy costs only the part itself, and it ships in the same order for the same flat $15 (free on orders of $80 or more). For parts that have already broken once, a spare in the drawer is cheap insurance.
Colours and sizes
PLA comes in black, white, grey, several reds, blues and greens, purple, pink, yellow, orange, gold, brown and more, plus matte and silk finishes. Pick the closest match to the original. For small parts with fine detail, resin in grey, clear, black or white is also available.
Our FDM printers take parts up to 400 x 400 x 450 mm, and the resin printer up to 80 x 127 x 160 mm.
Frequently asked questions
I do not have a 3D file. Can you still help?
The instant quote needs a file. Without one, email quotes@3dprinting.zone with clear photos, measurements and a description of what the part does, and we will tell you what is possible.
Will a printed part be as strong as the original?
It depends on the part. Printed parts are weakest between their layers, so a well-designed part with enough infill, printed the right way up, can do the job of many moulded parts. Safety-critical parts should not be replaced with printed ones.
Can I get a replacement part for my car?
Interior trim clips, covers and small fittings are common requests. Remember that PLA softens in heat, and a car in the Australian sun gets very hot inside, so it is not suitable for anything on or near the dashboard or engine. Email us and ask about the part.
How much does a replacement part cost?
Small PLA parts start from $1 each, plus $15 shipping per order (free on orders of $80 or more). Upload the file to see the exact price in seconds.
Can you match the original colour?
Choose the closest colour from our range in the quote. Black, white and grey cover most appliance and furniture parts.
Is it legal to copy a part?
Making a replacement for equipment you own is generally different from making copies to sell. Our reverse engineering article covers this briefly. If you plan to sell parts, get advice first.