MANUFACTURING STANDARDS
ROBOFACTURING3D’S Manufacturing Partner Network makes thousands of machines available to make your part. Robofacturing and Manufacturing Partners that work with us, must adhere to ROBOFACTURING3D’s manufacturing standards. This is critical to allow us to satisfy customers expectations.
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Since the minimum requirement to machine a part is a solid 3D file, we offer these general tolerances. The 3D file(s) shall fully specify all CAD nominal geometry, datums, dimensions and general notation in order to provide suitable and sufficient information to manufacture and verify the workpiece. Unless ROBOFACTURING3D has agreed to other tolerances in the customer Quote, we will work to achieve and hold the tolerances noted below, which will vary per the primary manufacturing method the customer selects.
If a technical drawing is provided, unless otherwise stated, any dimension explicitly defined in any 2D technical product specification shall take precedence over any dimension obtained by interrogating the 3D file, as per BS ISO 16792.
When a request for a quote leaves certain requirements undefined, or open to more than one interpretation, it will be considered as an ambiguous quote. The more ambiguity which exists in a specification, the greater the risk that a manufactured product conforms to that specification but is still unfit for purpose. Conversely, there is also greater risk of rejecting a workpiece which is fit for purpose. The less ambiguity which exists in a specification, the greater the likelihood that the conforming manufactured product is fit for purpose.
It is not always necessary to minimize or eliminate the ambiguity in a specification. A certain level of ambiguity can be acceptable when the customer is willing to rely on the skill, craftsmanship and knowledge of our Robofacturing and Manufacturer Partner to achieve a satisfactory result. Higher levels of ambiguity also mean much greater probability of disputes over whether a manufactured product is acceptable or not.
The use of datums, geometrical tolerances, surface texture requirements and edge tolerances is not mandatory. However, not using these specification elements results in greater ambiguity.
If deviances are found by ROBOFACTURING3D, we have the right to hold payment until issues have been resolved. We understand the importance of manufacturing to the specified tolerances, but sometimes deviations do occur where concessions are required, sometimes for the smallest of errors. Deviations must be reported from our Manufacturer Partner in writing and a concession will be needed from our customer in order to proceed.
CNC MACHINING STANDARDS
METAL FEATURES (If a technical drawing is supplied)
For metal features of size (length, width, height, diameter) and location (position, concentricity, symmetry) apply tolerances as follows if:
– A technical drawing is supplied but no tolerances specified;
– And no tolerances are specified throughout our quote platform.
Machining tolerances:
| 0 Decimal Places 1 Decimal Place 2 Decimal Places |
± 0.50mm ± 0.25mm ± 0.10mm |
Tolerance on hole:
| 0 – Ø5 Ø5 – Ø12 Ø12 – Ø20 Ø20 – Ø50 |
± 0.10mm ± 0.30mm ± 0.50mm ± 0.80mm |
Surface Roughness: Ra = 3.2 μm
Angularity: ± 1°
METAL FEATURES (If just a 3D file is supplied)
For metal features of size (length, width, height, diameter) and location (position, concentricity, symmetry) apply tolerances as follows if:
– Just a 3D file is supplied;
– And no tolerances are specified throughout our quote platform.
Machining tolerances:
| Dimensions < 300 mm Dimensions < 600 mm Dimensions < 900 mm Dimensions < 1500 mm Dimensions > 1500 mm |
± 0.10mm ± 0.25mm ± 0.50mm ± 0.80mm ± 1.60mm |
Tolerance on hole:
| 0 – Ø5 Ø5 – Ø12 Ø12 – Ø20 Ø20 – Ø50 |
± 0.10mm ± 0.30mm ± 0.50mm ± 0.80mm |
Surface Roughness: Ra = 3.2 μm
Angularity: ± 1°
PLASTIC FEATURES (If a technical drawing is supplied)
For plastic features of size (length, width, height, diameter) and location (position, concentricity, symmetry) apply tolerances as follows if:
– A technical drawing is supplied but no tolerances specified;
– And no tolerances are specified throughout our quote platform.
Machining tolerances:
| 0 Decimal Places 1 Decimal Place 2 Decimal Places |
± 0.50mm ± 0.25mm ± 0.25mm |
Tolerances on hole:
| 0 – Ø12 Ø12 – Ø20 Ø20 – Ø50 |
± 0.25mm ± 0.50mm ± 0.80mm |
Surface Roughness: Ra = 3.2 μm
Angularity: ± 1°
PLASTIC FEATURES (If just a 3D file is supplied)
For plastic features of size (length, width, height, diameter) and location (position, concentricity, symmetry) apply tolerances as follows if:
– Just a 3D file is supplied;
– And no tolerances are specified throughout our quote platform.
Machining tolerances:
| Dimensions < 300 mm Dimensions < 900 mm Dimensions < 1500 mm Dimensions > 1500 mm |
± 0.25mm ± 0.50mm ± 0.80mm ± 1.60mm |
Tolerances on holes:
| 0 – Ø12 Ø12 – Ø20 Ø20 – Ø50 |
± 0.25mm ± 0.50mm ± 0.80mm |
Surface Roughness: Ra = 3.2 μm
Angularity: ± 1°
These dimensions will vary specifically when holding flatness over large parts after heat treatment. All burrs & sharp edges will be removed, unless otherwise stated. Critical edges that must be left sharp should be noted and specified in a 2D technical drawing.
As a general rule, please make sure all metal CNC parts have a minimum wall thickness of 0.8mm. For plastics, the minimum wall thickness should be at least 1.5mm. If ROBOFACTURING3D team finds a manufacturability issue, we may put the project ON HOLD and reach out for some clarification or a design change.
SURFACE FINISHES
Standard order surface finish shall be referred to as “As Machined” and requires a 3.2Ra µm finish, unless otherwise specified in our quote platform. Minor tool marks visible on the part are acceptable. Scratches,scuff marks, burrs, dents, chatters and gouges (tool collisions) on the surface, along others, will be not acceptable. These parts will be classes as non conforming components as per ROBOFACTURING3D discretion.
When surface finishes are required, threaded or tolerance areas must be masked so that the finish does not affect the function of the part. These requirements need to be specified by our customer in a 2D technical drawing.
No surface treatments (e.g. anodize, bead blast, powder coat, etc.) will be applied unless the customer has paid for them and ROBOFACTURING3D have specifically acknowledged them.
THREADS AND TOLERANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Tapped holes not explicitly called out as Features on the quoted 3D file may be machined to the diameters specified in that model.
If any form of threads (internal or external), any nonstandard tolerances or any nonstandard surface finish are required, these must be clearly indicated in a 2D technical drawing.
The Manufacturing Partner must receive a 2D technical drawing that clearly defines the specifications for these features. Threads and tolerances must ONLY be included on a part when a 2D technical drawing has been provided.
By accepting an order, the Manufacturing Partner indicates that they have reviewed all technical drawings and have acknowledged the presence of threads or tolerances. ROBOFACTURING3D is not responsible for informing the Manufacturing Partner that threads or tolerances are present.
All threads shall be cut straight and cleaned with any chips removed. All threads must be checked to confirm functionality.
If a Manufacturing Partner is unable to achieve the tolerance specifications as presented on the technical drawing/s coinciding with an order, then they MUST reject the order.
SHEET METAL STANDARDS
SHEET METAL MACHINING
For sheet metal features of size (length, width, height, diameter) and location (position, concentricity, symmetry) apply tolerances as follows if:
– Just a 3D file is supplied;
– A technical drawing is supplied but no tolerances specified;
– And no tolerances are specified throughout our quote platform.
Forming and bending: ± 0.50mm
Linear dimensions excluding locations to bends:
| 0 Decimal Places 1 Decimal Place 2 Decimal Places |
± 0.50mm ± 0.25mm ± 0.25mm |
Diameters with inserts: ± 0.10mm
Surface roughness: Ra = 3.2 μm
Angularity: : ± 2°
All burrs & sharp edges will be removed, unless otherwise stated. Critical edges that must be left sharp should be noted and specified in a 2D technical drawing.
Certain sheet metal designs require custom tooling and will be flagged for a manual quote: hems, curled flanges and rolled sheets, stamped parts, and welded assemblies. If your part includes these features, please allow our quote team to review and provide you with an accurate cost and lead time.
Flat parts: Sheet metal parts that utilize stock material gauge thicknesses and require no bending or milled features. All flat sheet metal parts can meet a ±0.10mm.
Simple Surface Bend: When designing parts with some type of bend with a standard bend radius, sheet metal tolerances are required to open. For simple bent parts, ROBOFACTURING3D can offer a ±0.25mm tolerance for dimensions across a single bend. The bend radius itself is constrained to a ±1.0°. We require a .dxf or .dwg file and a 2D technical drawing in order to create the bending feature.
Multiple Surface Bends: For dimensions measured over multiple bends, ROBOFACTURING3D can offer a ±0.8mm. We require a .dxf or .dwg file and a 2D technical drawing in order to create the bending feature.
SURFACE FINISHES
Standard order surface finish shall be referred to as “As Machined” and requires a 3.2Ra µm finish, unless otherwise specified in our quote platform. Minor tool marks visible on the part are acceptable. Scratches,scuff marks, burrs, dents, chatters and gouges (tool collisions) on the surface, along others, will be not acceptable. These parts will be classes as non conforming components as per ROBOFACTURING3D discretion.
When surface finishes are required, threaded or tolerance areas must be masked so that the finish does not affect the function of the part. These requirements need to be specified by our customer in a 2D technical drawing.
No surface treatments (e.g. anodize, bead blast, powder coat, etc.) will be applied unless the customer has paid for them and ROBOFACTURING3D have specifically acknowledged them.
INJECTION MOULDING STANDARDS
Lead time stated is for mould tool and T1 samples shipment. Remaining production time is confirmed after T1 samples approval. Typical T1 sample shipments are 5 pieces.
All quotes are based upon the assumption that designs have an adequate draft, radii, and coring for manufacturability. ROBOFACTURING3D cannot guarantee a perfect colour match per Pantone colour.
Cores, side actions, and tooling strategy are determined by ROBOFACTURING3D unless explicitly discussed.
Unless noted, tolerances are ±0.25mm between the manufactured part and 3D CAD. Part-to-part repeatability is typically ±0.10mm.
Gating, ejection, knit lines and parting lines are at the discretion of ROBOFACTURING3D unless explicitly discussed.
3D PRINTING STANDARDS
The following manufacturing standards are presented below. For all 3D printing technologies, all surfaces must have a consistent visual appearance, have the support structures removed (where applicable) and will be cleaned of all excess support/build material.
METAL ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
DMLS – (DIRECT METAL LASER SINTERING)
- ±0.10mm for the first 20mm is typical, plus ±0.05mm for every 20mm thereafter.
However, ROBOFACTURING3D does not guarantee tolerances on the first attempt of a new design. Tolerance expectations can vary across different materials (e.g. stainless versus aluminium).
Internal stresses during build, support strategy, and other geometry considerations may cause deviation in tolerances and flatness.
Items and geometries which require strict flatness are not a good fit for this process.
Expected surface roughness is 3.2-6.3 Ra, depending on build orientation and material used for the build.
NON-METAL ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
SLA – (STEREOLITHOGRAFHY)
Tolerances for standard resolution:
- X/Y planes: ±0.10mm for the first 20mm is typical, plus ±0.05mm for every 20mm thereafter.
- Z plane: ±0.25mm for the first 20mm is typical, plus ±0.05mm for every 20mm thereafter.
- Minimum linear feature size: under ±0.80mm are at risk and under ±0.50mm will not build.
- Minimum radial feature size: ±0.80mm.
- Guaranteed tolerances may be possible with a manual quote review and must be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Tolerances for high resolution:
- X/Y planes: ±0.10mm for the first 20mm is typical, plus ±0.05mm for every 20mm thereafter.
- Z plane: ±0.25mm for the first 20mm is typical, plus ±0.05mm for every 20mm thereafter.
- Minimum linear feature size: under ±0.50mm are at risk and under ±0.25mm will not build.
- Minimum radial feature size: ±0.80mm
- Guaranteed tolerances may be possible with a manual quote review and must be approved on a case-by-case basis.
SLS – (SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING)
- ±0.10mm for the first 20mm is typical, plus ±0.05mm for every 20mm thereafter.
Parts with thicker geometries, flat or broad parts, and parts with uneven wall thicknesses will be prone to significant deviations or warp due to variable thermal shrinkage and stress.
Guaranteed tolerances may be possible with a manual quote review and must be approved on a case-by-case basis.
HP MJF – (HP MULTI JET FUSION)
- ±0.30mm for the first 20mm is typical, plus ±0.10mm for every 20mm thereafter.
Parts with thicker geometries, flat or broad parts, and parts with uneven wall thicknesses will be prone to significant deviations or warp due to variable thermal shrinkage and stress.
Natural grey colour may be inconsistent depending on feature size and build orientation. Dyed black is recommended for production parts.
Guaranteed tolerances may be possible with a manual quote review and must be approved on a case-by-case basis.
FDM – (FUSED DEPOSITION MODELING)
- XY Planes: ±0.10mm for the first 20mm is typical, plus ±0.50mm for every 20mm thereafter.
- Z Plane: ±0.25mm for the first 20mm is typical, plus ±0.05mm for every 20mm thereafter.
ROBOFACTURING3D chooses optimal build orientation taking into consideration overall surface quality and minimum build time unless otherwise specified. Minimum resolvable feature size, including positive text features, is at least ±1.0mm.
Nylon 12 parts with thicker geometries, flat or broad parts, and parts with uneven wall thicknesses will be prone to significant deviations or warp due to variable thermal shrinkage and stress.
Guaranteed tolerances may be possible with a manual quote review and must be approved on a case-by-case basis.
CARBON DLS – (DIGITAL LIGHT SYNTHESIS)
- ±0.10mm for the first 20mm is typical, plus ±0.05mm for every 20mm thereafter.
However, ROBOFACTURING3D does not guarantee tolerances on the first attempt of a new design. Tolerance expectations can vary across different materials (e.g. elastomeric versus rigid materials).
Stresses during build, support strategy, and other geometry considerations may cause deviation in tolerances and flatness.
Parts with thicker geometries, flat or broad parts, and parts with uneven wall thicknesses may be prone to significant deviations or warp.
Improved tolerances may be possible with a manual quote review, after successful completion of a prototype build, and must be approved on a case-by-case basis.
POLYJET
- ±0.10mm for the first 20mm is typical, plus ±0.05mm for every 20mm thereafter.
Minimum feature size of 1.20mm can be built with consistency.
Rubber-like materials represent an approximation of shore A values and may vary between geometries.
QUALITY REPORTS
The performance of our Robofactuing and Manufacturing Partners is continuously monitored by our Supply team to ensure that all orders are completed in accordance with the ROBOFACTURING3D Manufacturing Standards.
When features on components are being manufactured, ROBOFACTURING3D expects parts to be measured throughout the batch using in-date calibrated inspection equipment. We also expect the Robofacturing and Manufacturer Partners to be able to determine the correct inspection equipment needed for a specific tolerance on a feature. Some features can’t be measured whilst holding components in hand and therefore require the use of additional equipment to aid inspecting, such as granite tables, Vee blocks, precision bench centres, among others.
All inspection equipment being used on ROBOFACTURING3D components is to be calibrated by a qualified inspector or 3rd party company. Also, calibration on inspection equipment can be no older than 1 year.
We offer four (4) different inspection options. All CNC machined, sheet metal parts and injection moulding parts will receive a standard inspection report included in the part price and lead time. All inspection options are described below.
STANDARD INSPECTION REPORT
Every order includes our standard inspection report.
- Quality Control (QC) will verify the quantity, part material, features, and finish are in accordance with the part requirements specified on the Purchase Order.
- If no technical drawing is not provided with a part, Qulity Control (QC) measures dimensions they deem critical, such as all parts have had sharp edges and burrs removed, overall size, holes, and holes depths.
- If a 2D technical drawing is provided, Quality Control (QC) will verify up to 20 dimensions they deem critical.
- Documentation will not be shipped with your parts.
DETAILED INSPECTION REPORT WITH DIMENSIONAL REPORT
Every order includes our detailed inspection report with dimensional report.
- A customer-supplied 2D technical drawing is required for this inspection.
- Quality Control (QC) will perform an inspection using precision measuring tools where 100% of all dimensions including both actual dimensions and allowable tolerance, dimensional location and print notes will be documented per our Statistical Sampling Plan based on ASQC Z1.4 2008 Level II with Zero rejects.
- A dimensional inspection report with a correlated ballooned print will be shipped with your part(s).
- The number of inspection points is subject to the applicable 100 maximums. Greater quantities require a manual quote and additional charges.
- Additional fifty pounds (£50) and will not increase lead time.
CMM INSPECTION REPORT WITH DIMENSIONAL REPORT
Order included our CMM inspection report with dimensional report if it is required from our customer.
- A customer-supplied technical drawing is required for this inspection.
- Quality Control (QC) will perform an inspection using a Coordinate Measurement Machine (CMM) where 100% of all dimensions including both actual dimensions and allowable tolerance, dimensional locations, and print notes will be documented per our Statistical Sampling Plan based on ASQC Z1.4 2008 Level II with Zero rejects.
- A dimensional report with a correlated ballooned print will be shipped with your part(s).
- The number of inspection points is subject to the applicable 100 maximums. Greater quantities require a manual quote and additional charges.
- Additional four hundred and twenty pounds (£420) and may increase lead time.
FIRST ARTICLE INSPECTION REPORT (PER AS9102)
Quality Control (QC) will perform a First Article Inspection per the requirements specified in SAE Aerospace Standard (AS 9102) documentation. The purpose of the First Article Inspection is to provide objective evidence that all engineering design and specification requirements are properly understood, accounted for, verified, and documented.
- A customer-specified technical drawing is required for a First Article Inspection.
- Quality Control (QC) will maintain a quality record for customer review of accountability and planning, for performing periodic surveillance and audits to verify conformance, for evaluating root cause and corrective action for any non-conformances, and for problem investigations.
- A dimensional inspection report with a correlated ballooned print will be shipped with your part(s).
- If you want one (1) part and stop for approval, please select custom inspection.
- The number of inspection points is subject to the applicable 100 maximums. Greater quantities require a manual quote and additional charges.
- Additional eighty pounds (£80) and will not increase lead time.
CERTIFICATES
ROBOFACTURING3D offers 2 different certificates:
STANDARD MATERIAL CERTIFICATION
Every order includes our Standard Material Certification, but this will not be shipped with your parts. Our Quality Control (QC) will verify the part’s material chemical and physical and mechanical properties are in compliance with the specified standards.
Additional ten pounds (£10) and will not increase lead time.
CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMITY (CofC)
Order includes our Certificate of Conformity (CofC) report if it is required from our customer. A competent authority will certify that the supplied part(s) meet(s) the required specification(s).
Additional £15 and will not increase lead time.
NON-CONFORMANCE
& REJECTED PARTS
Rejected or non-conforming parts are documented and communicated based upon the inspection type selected. For Standard Inspection Report and Detailed Inspection Report with Dimensional Report, ROBOFACTURING3D may ship parts found with minor non-conformances (that cannot be reworked into compliance and are assumed to not impact the fit, form, or function of the part) for customer review.
For other inspection types or when a Certificate of Conformance (CofC)is selected, ROBOFACTURING3D will raise a non conformity report for all issues that cannot be reworked into compliance prior to shipping. If non-conformity is not detected by the ROBOFACTURING3D team, post-delivery non-conformance communication should be documented with the Order ID, part ID, quantity, and detailed description and sent to production@robofacturing3d.com.
3D printed parts do not receive full measurement inspection due to natural deviations that occur within the process.
MATTING PARTS
ROBOFACTURING3D is not responsible for the fit of mating parts.
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