Big print services route your file. We pick up the phone.
Multi-material FDM prototyping and low-volume production from a Virginia defense engineering shop.
Engineers first, printers second.
SimIS is a veteran-owned engineering company in Hampton Roads, Virginia. We build modeling and simulation systems, autonomous platforms, and defense software, and we run our print shop with the same engineering discipline.
That matters when you send us a part: you are not uploading to a marketplace queue. Your model lands with engineers who ask what the part is for, flag what will not survive printing, and tell you honestly if FDM is the wrong answer.
Original Prusa XL, five toolheads, enclosed
We print on the Original Prusa XL with the full five-toolhead system in an enclosure: up to five materials or colors in a single job, soluble supports for complex geometry, and a 360 x 360 x 360 mm build volume. Parts larger than the build volume can be sectioned, printed in batches, and joined, with added lead time.
How Fused Deposition Modeling Works
One of the most widely used additive manufacturing technologies for producing durable, functional plastic components — an ideal balance of speed, strength, and affordability.
Feed & Heat
A spool of thermoplastic filament is fed into a heated extruder and melted to a precise, printable consistency.
Deposit
Material is deposited through a nozzle onto the build platform as the printhead moves across the X and Y axes.
Build Layer by Layer
Successive layers stack vertically, producing accurate, repeatable parts from high-performance engineering plastics.
Not sure FDM is the right fit for your part? Send us the model. A real engineer looks at it, not a quoting bot, and we'll tell you straight, usually the same day.
Send your model in whatever your CAD tool exports: STEP is our favorite, and STL, 3MF, OBJ, and AMF are all welcome. You'll have a quote from a real person within one business day.
Send Us Your PartFDM Applications
Most parts we quote are doing one of three jobs: putting an idea in your hands, proving a design before you commit to tooling, or keeping production moving. Here is where FDM earns its keep.
Concept Models
The speed and versatility of FDM lets engineers create physical snapshots of their designs, in up to five colors in a single print.
Rapid Prototyping
An FDM machine can be used to create durable prototypes that withstand thermal, chemical, and mechanical stress.
Manufacturing Tools
High-performance materials make FDM ideal for producing jigs, fixtures, and production tooling.
A Recent Part
A customer needed a functional prototype enclosure for fit-check testing. We printed it in polycarbonate and delivered within several business days, in time for them to verify mechanical integration before committing to production tooling.
Is FDM Right for Your Part?
FDM is your answer when
- You need parts in days, not the weeks tooling takes.
- Tooling costs would sink a low-volume run.
- The geometry is too complex to machine economically.
- The design is still changing and fast iteration matters.
Look elsewhere when
- You need tight-tolerance machined surfaces or press fits straight off the machine.
- The part must carry certified structural or high-heat loads.
- You need volumes in the thousands, where injection molding wins.
On the fence? That is what the model review is for: send us the part and we will tell you which column it lands in.
Why Use FDM for Your Parts?
Fused deposition modeling is among the most accessible and recognizable additive manufacturing technologies worldwide — known for speed and precision across a broad range of materials. Here is the shelf, and when to reach for each:
PLA
The everyday prototyping workhorse: crisp detail, quick prints, easy on cost.
PETG
The tough all-rounder for functional parts that see real use.
ASA
UV-stable and weatherproof: built for parts that live outdoors.
ABS
The classic engineering plastic: machinable, sandable, proven.
PC
The strongest and most heat-tolerant material on the shelf.
PA (Nylon)
Wear-resistant with a little give: gears, hinges, working parts.
TPU
Rubber-like flexibility for grips, seals, and shock absorption.
PP
Lightweight and fatigue-proof: living hinges and chemical containers.
Soluble Supports
Dissolvable scaffolding for complex geometry and clean internal channels.
Why Choose SimIS for FDM 3D Printing?
Professional-Grade Equipment
Access professional FDM equipment and production-quality materials without investing in expensive hardware or ongoing maintenance.
Responsive Service
As a small business, we provide personalized support, quick communication, and flexible solutions tailored to your project.
Finishing & Marking
Sanding, painting, and part cleanup in-house, with engraved text modeled into the part or adhesive labels. Inserts and other finishing available on request.
Streamlined Ordering
Send us your design, receive a quote, and let our team manage production — from printing to delivery.
Active registration with the U.S. Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
Export-controlled and CUI data handled by verified U.S. persons in encrypted environments aligned with NIST SP 800-171.
Documented QA/QC procedures under CMMI Maturity Level 3, Appraisal #4264.
Every part dimensionally checked against your drawing and specifications.
Ready to Bring Your Design to Life?
Whether you're developing a prototype, manufacturing production tooling, or producing functional end-use components, SimIS provides reliable, high-quality FDM 3D printing services to help accelerate your project.
Request a Quote