FAQ

A: If you choose a 3D printing process, all parts can be painted to match a specific paint chip or PMS (Pantone) color. Polished clear and tinted. Urethane castings can be molded in a matched color or painted to match a specific metallic or color.

A: STL is preferred, however, we utilize Solidworks 2015 in-house and can accept legacy Solidworks files. Other formats we can import are; IGES, Step, Parasolid (binary recommended) & SAT. Look at our file requirements section or call us at 847-639-1000 for information on files not listed here.

A: CIDEAS has just launched True-Quote, a comprehensive and interactive quote engine that enables you to determine the best orientation, support usage and material choices. Manual quotes and uploads are also available thru this system.

A: Yes, CIDEAS stands behind the services we offer, if for any reason you are unhappy with the parts you receive, contact us immediately at 847-639-1000, so we can make it right.

A: Most orders are shipped in 1 to 2 days (often same day), however large parts and assemblies may require more time. CIDEAS can provide same day and weekend services; Which is generally reserved for Chicagoland, as well as, surrounding areas including; Suburban Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana.

A: Most parts can be sectioned and built to any size. However, for single piece parts built whole; FDM parts can be built as large as 36″ x 24″ x 36″ (914mm x 610mm x 914mm), Polyjet as large as 19″ x 14″ x 8″, SLA as large as 25″ x 29″ x 21″ and SLS parts as large as 22″ x 22″ x 18″.

A: The advantage of working with CIDEAS, is that we are not an oversized corporation with a fixed MSRP. Our down home approach & policies enable us to be flexible, we work with budgets of all sizes. Your friendly project manager will always make your individual needs, lead time, and budget their first priority.

A: This is a fairly common request and we can handle it in one of two ways. If you send us your 2D design with dimensions, we can create the CAD work for you at a fixed hourly rate. For more complex programs, we can recommend one of the many competent designers and engineers we have worked with over the years, in hope that we have the opportunity to produce the parts, once you reach that stage. CIDEAS also offers 3D scanning for reverse engineering and complex data capturing.

A: We only operate our PolyJet machines in the highest resolution settings (0.0006″), SLA parts are built with a standard layer slice of 0.004″ (much higher than legacy equipment), SLS with a 0.006″, while FDM is typically built with a 0.010″ layer slice (other resolutions are available). Although it costs us more to operate, the parts are much smoother and more accurate with much better fine feature details. If you are shopping around, always ask what resolution is being quoted, this can affect your part price nearly as much as the orientation.

A: Every process has its strengths and weaknesses and unfortunately, the best process for one project may actually be the worst for the next. It should come to no surprise that, this is one of the most common questions we receive, in fact, we recently created the Process Selector Guide to help engineers and designers help narrow down their possible choices. Otherwise please call one of our project managers at 847-639-1000 to help you in the right direction.

A: If emailing or attaching files we always recommend compressing the files with Win ZIP, Win RAR or MGX, these are all supported by CIDEAS.

A: Yes, we have customers all over, such as; Australia, Jamaica, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Israel, Poland & many others. Feel free to call or email us if you are concerned about your location.

A: It is not uncommon to have parts ship from our facility for less than $10.00. Since 1998, CIDEAS has prided itself on having no minimum, rush or weekend charges for raw parts directly off the machine. However, part finishing may require overtime rates for our dedicated finishers specifically during weekends.

A: Yes, the number of parts and overall size of the project can decrease the per part price. This is especially true, when used in DDM (Direct Digital Manufacturing) quantities of 50, 100, 500 or more.

A: Yes, many of our customer send us parts in the morning and pick them up, or have them messengered that afternoon. CIDEAS actually has its own delivery vehicle for mission critical applications. This service is available in the Chicagoland, southern Wisconsin and western Indiana areas. Same day service may be subject to part size and finish.

A: Typically .030″ is the recommended minimum for most processes. However, FDM (High-res) can have features as small as .020″, SLA as small as 0.010″. SLS as low as 0.015″ (geometry dependant). Polyjet, parts with non load bearing walls built flat, can be as little as .010″. Although we do our best to review every feature of your model prior to building it, features under .020″ cannot always be guaranteed to show up.

A: Yes; FDM, SLS and occasionally PolyJet can build full assemblies. This is due to the support material being easy to separate from the part. FDM allows us to use soluble support and with SLS the excess powder is blown off of the parts upon completion.

A: Most of the processes we offer can be painted, in turn, used as mold masters. For RTV molds (may require shrink) we recommend SLA, Polyjet or FDM. For thermoforming or pulp porous molds, we recommend FDM. Use our Process Selector Guide or call 847-639-1000, to find the most ideal process for your needs.