- What are jigs and fixtures?
- Why use 3D printing for tooling?
- What types of jigs and fixtures can be printed?
- Which process and material should you use?
- How should a jig or fixture be designed?
- When should you use CNC instead?
- Montreal industrial applications
- What affects the cost?
- Frequently asked questions
What are jigs and fixtures?
Jigs and fixtures are manufacturing tools that help position, locate, hold, guide or check parts during production and assembly. They are rarely products the end customer sees, but they can have an important effect on how consistently and efficiently work is performed.
Because jigs and fixtures are often highly specific to one component or process, they are strong candidates for custom manufacturing rather than off-the-shelf sourcing.
Why use 3D printing for custom jigs and fixtures?
Traditional tooling can involve machining, fabrication or modifying standard components. Those processes remain valuable, but additive manufacturing introduces another option when tooling is customized, quantities are low or the design may change.
No dedicated mold or conventional production tooling
A printed fixture is manufactured directly from its digital model. That can make one-off and low-quantity tooling more practical.
Geometry can be designed around the part
Fixtures can include custom pockets, locating surfaces, cable paths, ergonomic handles, labels and interfaces that match the actual component or workstation.
Design revisions are digital
If the product changes, the fixture can often be revised in CAD rather than modifying a large stock of existing tooling.
Complex geometry can be practical
Additive manufacturing can create shapes that would be awkward or inefficient to machine from solid stock, particularly when the fixture needs to wrap around an existing product or assembly.
What types of jigs and fixtures can be 3D printed?
3DRM Tech's 3D printing services in Montreal include FDM, SLS and SLA, giving engineering teams several process options for prototypes, custom tooling and suitable production applications.
Which 3D printing process is best for jigs and fixtures?
There is no single best process. The choice depends on how the fixture will be used.
| Process | Why it may fit tooling | Typical considerations |
|---|---|---|
| FDM | Practical for many functional fixtures, larger tooling and iterative designs. | Material, orientation, infill, wall structure, heat and load requirements need review. |
| SLS | Useful for durable nylon tooling and complex geometry without conventional support structures. | Part size, geometry, stiffness and surface requirements affect suitability. |
| SLA | Useful when fine detail or a smoother reference surface is important. | Resin properties must match the actual shop-floor environment and load. |
Which FDM material should you choose?
3DRM Tech works with materials including PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, Nylon and TPU. The correct material depends on whether the tool sees mechanical load, impact, chemicals, outdoor exposure, heat or repeated operator use.
A simple visual alignment template and a fixture holding a mechanically loaded assembly should not automatically use the same material.
How should a 3D printed jig or fixture be designed?
Start with the operation, not the printer
The first question is not “what can we print?” It is “what does the operator or machine need this tool to do?”
Identify critical interfaces
Define which surfaces, holes, datums or features actually control the position of the workpiece.
Design for handling
Consider how the operator loads and unloads the part, where hands need clearance and whether the fixture should include handles, labels or orientation cues.
Separate critical and non-critical geometry
Not every surface needs the same level of precision. Understanding which features matter most can simplify both design and manufacturing.
Plan for wear
If a fixture contacts abrasive parts, receives repeated fasteners or sees high mechanical load, wear surfaces and replaceable features should be considered during the design stage.
If a project starts from an existing workstation, part or rough concept, CAD design can be used to create the tooling geometry around the real application.
When should a jig or fixture be CNC machined instead?
Some tooling applications are better suited to machining or fabrication. CNC machining and metalworking may be preferable when the tool requires metal, high structural stiffness, machined interfaces, significant wear resistance or other requirements better suited to subtractive manufacturing.
Where do 3D printed jigs and fixtures fit in Montreal manufacturing?
Industrial manufacturing and machinery
For industrial manufacturers, printed tooling can support assembly stations, maintenance work, production aids, inspection setups and equipment modifications.
Robotics and automation
Robotics and automation teams may need temporary fixtures, sensor mounts, calibration aids, cable-routing tools or customized workstation hardware while a system is being developed.
Engineering and product development
Engineering teams can use custom fixtures while validating assembly processes before committing to larger-scale production tooling.
What affects the cost of a custom 3D printed fixture?
- CAD work: whether the tool already exists digitally or needs to be designed.
- Overall size: larger fixtures consume more material and machine capacity.
- Material: functional requirements determine whether a standard or engineering material is appropriate.
- Process: FDM, SLS and SLA have different cost structures.
- Quantity: a single prototype fixture and a repeated workstation set are different projects.
- Hardware and finishing: inserts, fasteners, machining or assembly can add additional operations.
For repeat tooling, once the digital design has been validated, the same geometry can also support low-volume repeat manufacturing where appropriate.
Frequently asked questions about 3D printed jigs and fixtures
Can jigs and fixtures really be 3D printed?
Yes. Many assembly aids, positioning fixtures, drill guides, inspection tools and custom holders are suitable for additive manufacturing. Suitability depends on load, temperature, wear, geometry and required accuracy.
What is the best material for a 3D printed fixture?
There is no single best material. PETG, ABS, ASA, nylon and other materials may be considered depending on load, environment, stiffness, heat exposure and expected service.
Is FDM strong enough for manufacturing fixtures?
FDM can be suitable for many functional tooling applications when the design, material and print orientation match the required loads. More demanding applications may call for SLS, CNC machining or a hybrid approach.
Can you design the fixture if I only have the part?
Yes. A fixture can be designed around an existing component, CAD model, measurements, photographs or other available reference information through 3DRM Tech's CAD design workflow.
Can a 3D printed fixture be reproduced later?
Yes. Once a validated digital model exists, additional copies can be manufactured when required, subject to the chosen process and material.
Where can I get custom jigs and fixtures made in Montreal?
3DRM Tech is based in Mount Royal, Quebec and provides 3D printing, CAD design, CNC machining and low-volume manufacturing for suitable custom tooling projects in Montreal and across Canada.
Need a custom jig, fixture or production aid?
Send a CAD file, photograph, part or description of the manufacturing operation. 3DRM Tech can review whether FDM, SLS, SLA, CNC machining or a combined approach fits the tooling requirement.
Request a Custom Tooling Review →
