Have you ever asked yourself, “Can my 3D printer make a part as big as a chair?” or “Why can’t I print a tiny gear with my desktop printer?” The answer lies in 3D printing parts size—a key factor that depends on your printer’s technology, model, and even the material you use. This guide will solve your biggest questions: What limits 3D printing parts size? How do different technologies compare? And how to pick the right setup for your project’s size needs.
1. What Determines 3D Printing Parts Size?
3D printing parts size isn’t random—it’s shaped by four main factors that work together like pieces of a puzzle. Miss one, and you’ll end up with parts that are too small, too big (and unprintable), or low-quality. Let’s break down each factor with simple examples.
| Factor | How It Impacts Size | Real-World Example |
|---|---|---|
| Printer Technology | Different 3D printing methods (e.g., FDM, SLA) have built-in size limits—some are made for small parts, others for large ones. | An SLA printer (used for detailed resin parts) can’t print a 1m-tall statue, but an industrial FDM printer might. |
| Printer Model (Desktop vs. Industrial) | Desktop printers are compact, so their print beds (where parts sit) are small. Industrial printers have larger beds for big parts. | A desktop FDM printer’s bed is usually 400x400x400mm, while an industrial FDM printer’s bed can handle 750mm³ parts. |
| Material Stability | Soft or flexible materials (e.g., TPU resin) might warp if printed too big, limiting practical size. Rigid materials (e.g., ABS plastic) hold shape better for larger parts. | You can print a 30cm-long ABS pipe, but a 30cm-long TPU pipe would bend and ruin during printing. |
| Post-Processing Needs | Large parts often need sanding or assembling—if you can’t handle big post-processing tasks, you’ll be stuck with small parts. | A 50cm-wide SLA part would be hard to clean in a small ultrasonic cleaner, so you might stick to 20cm-wide parts instead. |
2. 3D Printing Parts Size by Technology: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Not all 3D printing technologies are equal when it comes to size. Below’s how the four most common methods stack up—with exact size ranges from desktop to industrial models, based on real-world data.
| Technology | Desktop Printer Max Part Size | Industrial Printer Max Part Size | Best for (Size-wise) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) | Typically 400x400x400mm to 600x600x600mm | Up to 750mm³ (e.g., 750x750x750mm) | Small to large parts (e.g., a 50cm toy car or a 70cm shelf bracket) |
| SLA (Stereolithography) | Around 200x200x200mm (resin tanks are small for detail) | Up to 2100x700x800mm (large resin tanks for big parts) | Tiny to medium parts (e.g., a 1cm jewelry piece or a 20cm figurine) |
| SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) | Rare for desktops; small desktop models top out at 300x300x300mm | Industrial models handle large parts (similar to industrial FDM) | Medium to large parts (e.g., a 60cm plastic tool housing) |
| SLM (Selective Laser Melting) | Desktop SLM printers (for metal) max at 200x200x200mm | Industrial SLM printers can make metal parts up to 500x500x500mm | Small to medium metal parts (e.g., a 10cm metal gear or a 40cm aircraft component) |
Pro Tip: Think of it like baking: A small cake pan (desktop printer) makes small cakes, while a large pan (industrial printer) makes big cakes. The “baking method” (technology) also matters—you wouldn’t use a cupcake pan (SLA) for a wedding cake (large industrial part).
3. How to Choose the Right Size for Your 3D Printed Part
Wondering if you should print a part as one big piece or split it into smaller ones? Follow these 3 simple steps to decide—no guesswork needed.
Step 1: Check Your Printer’s Limits First
- What to do: Find your printer’s “build volume” (max size it can print) in the user manual. For example, if your desktop SLA printer’s build volume is 200x200x200mm, you can’t print a 250mm-tall vase.
- Why it matters: Printing a part bigger than your printer’s build volume will lead to failed prints—wasting time and material.
- Example: A hobbyist wanted to print a 300mm-long phone stand with their 200x200x200mm SLA printer. They split the stand into two 150mm pieces, printed them separately, and glued them together—problem solved!
Step 2: Match Size to Your Project’s Goal
- Small parts (under 10cm): For tiny, detailed items (e.g., jewelry, mini gears). Use SLA or desktop SLM printers—they excel at small, precise parts.
- Case: A jewelry maker uses a desktop SLA printer to print 5cm-wide resin pendants—each has tiny engravings that a large FDM printer couldn’t handle.
- Medium parts (10cm–50cm): For functional items (e.g., phone cases, tool handles). Desktop FDM or SLA printers work here.
- Scenario: A student prints a 30cm-tall robot body with a 400x400x400mm FDM printer—perfect for a school project.
- Large parts (over 50cm): For big items (e.g., furniture, industrial components). You’ll need an industrial FDM, SLA, or SLS printer.
- Fact: A furniture company uses an industrial FDM printer to make 80cm-wide plastic chair seats—they’re strong enough to hold 100kg and fit perfectly with chair legs.
Step 3: Consider Material and Post-Processing
- Material: If you’re using flexible resin, don’t print parts over 20cm—they’ll warp. Stick to rigid materials (e.g., ABS, industrial resin) for large parts.
- Post-Processing: Large parts need more cleaning (e.g., sanding a 1m part takes hours). If you don’t have time, keep parts small or split them into pieces.
4. Yigu Technology’s Perspective
At Yigu Technology, we’ve helped 1,200+ users pick printers for their 3D printing parts size needs—from hobbyists to factories. Our view? 3D printing parts size should match your project first, not your printer. For small, detailed parts (e.g., jewelry), a desktop SLA printer (200x200x200mm) is best. For medium parts (e.g., tool housings), a desktop FDM (400x400x400mm) works. For large parts (e.g., aerospace components), go industrial (750mm³+). We also tell clients: Don’t let size limit you—split big parts into smaller ones if you only have a desktop printer. As technology advances, we’ll see even larger, more precise printers that make size less of a barrier.
5. FAQ: Common Questions About 3D Printing Parts Size
Q1: Can I print a part bigger than my printer’s build volume?
Yes—by splitting the part into smaller pieces! Use CAD software to cut the design into sections (e.g., a 50cm vase into two 25cm pieces), print each section, then glue them together with strong adhesive (e.g., epoxy for plastic). Just make sure the sections line up—add small notches in the design to help.
Q2: Why is my desktop SLA printer limited to 200x200x200mm parts?
Desktop SLA printers use small resin tanks to keep the UV light focused (for detailed parts). A larger tank would spread the UV light too thin, making parts blurry or weak. Industrial SLA printers have more powerful UV lights and bigger tanks, so they can handle 2100x700x800mm parts without losing quality.
Q3: Do metal 3D printed parts (SLM) have smaller size limits than plastic parts (FDM)?
Yes, usually. SLM printers melt metal powder with lasers, and large metal parts need more heat—this can cause warping or cracks. Desktop SLM printers max out at ~200x200x200mm, while industrial SLM printers top at ~500x500x500mm. FDM plastic parts, by contrast, are easier to cool and can be larger (up to 750mm³ industrially).