How DP3D Delivers 3D Printing ROI for Manufacturers

For manufacturers weighing the case for additive manufacturing, the real question is rarely about technology. It is about the numbers. DP3D is a 3D printing and scanning service company based in France. The team has served 200-plus clients across farming, packaging, food, and industrial sectors. Co-founder Sophie Grebert delivers measurable 3D printing ROI by pairing UltiMaker S6 and S8 hardware with in-house design, scanning, and short-run production.

DP3D handles spare parts, jigs, fixtures, and prototypes. The work spans DLP and FDM. Clients turn to DP3D when traditional methods cannot meet the lead time, the cost, or both.

Why DP3D chose UltiMaker S6 and S8

Three factors drove the decision: precision, speed, and material diversity. A fourth factor became the deciding one.

"Some of our clients require NDAs due to sensitive data, which makes the security of our 3D printers a key factor. That's a major reason we chose UltiMaker S8 and S6," Sophie says.

UltiMaker is anchored in the Netherlands and operates under EU legislation. For DP3D, this gives clients a secure environment for sensitive data and production workflows. For Australian manufacturers in defence, automotive, and engineering, the same logic applies. The UltiMaker S8 and UltiMaker S6 ship with the same security model.

The print-time comparison: 2.5 hours vs 3 hours vs 4 hours

DP3D runs a fleet of FDM printers. Sophie ran the same application on three machines:

"The same application took 2.5 hours with the new UltiMaker, compared to 3 hours and 4 hours with other FDM printers."

A 17 to 37 percent print-time saving on a single job. Across 200-plus clients and recurring print runs, the saving compounds. Sophie sums it up:

"The printers save us time while maintaining precise dimensions."

PET CF for agricultural sensor mounts

The agricultural-equipment sector calls for parts able to survive mechanical stress, moisture, and signal interference. One DP3D client originally specified ASA for a custom board support carrying sensors. After repairs and field feedback, Sophie recommended a switch to PET CF.

PET CF is a PET-based engineering filament reinforced with chopped carbon fibres. It is stiff under tightening loads, takes on little moisture, and plays well with embedded electronics. For sensor housings, a standard plastic struggles to match it.

CLIPéFIX: a patented orchard part

DP3D produces CLIPéFIX, a patented 3D printed component used by fruit farmers to secure irrigation systems in orchards. The brief required a part rated for -8°C to 47°C, UV stable, and dimensionally stable in the field.

CLIPéFIX is printed in ASA. Field-tested since late 2021, it ships in batches of up to 1,000 units within two weeks. For orchard operators, swapping a moulded supplier for a 3D printed alternative cut both unit cost and order lead time.

From 10 weeks to 3 days: the apple-box pusher

A food-industry client needed a custom part for an automated line moving boxes of apples down a conveyor. Quoted lead time from a traditional supplier: up to 10 weeks. DP3D used 3D scanning to capture the existing geometry, then printed the part on the UltiMaker.

Delivered lead time: 3 days.

The result is not an outlier. It shows how a service provider with a benchtop FDM printer reshapes the buy-versus-make call for one-off industrial parts.

What this means for Australian manufacturers

Australian factories face the same lead-time pressure DP3D's clients hit every day. A broken jig pulls a line down. A discontinued spare part forces a workaround. A bespoke fixture sits behind a six-to-ten-week tooling quote. Cutting manufacturing lead times is the single biggest ROI lever in additive manufacturing.

A capable benchtop UltiMaker, paired with a small library of engineering filaments, brings the work in-house. The Apria Systems case study on the Australian 3D Printers blog shows the same pattern. A single UltiMaker S6 took prototyping cycles from weeks to days for environmental-monitoring components.

For Australian service providers and contract producers, the DP3D model translates directly. Take on the parts other shops will not quote. Charge for the speed.

Sophie's view:

"We always start by evaluating the needs of our customers. In most cases, additive manufacturing can significantly reduce costs and lead times."

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Frequently asked questions

Can 3D printing reduce manufacturing costs?

Yes. For one-off parts, jigs, fixtures, and short-run production, 3D printing replaces tooling-heavy traditional methods at lower cost. The DP3D apple-box example took lead time from 10 weeks to 3 days for a custom industrial part.

What is the 3D printing ROI for spare parts?

ROI depends on volume, part complexity, and replacement frequency. For low-volume custom or discontinued spare parts, 3D printing pays back inside the first few jobs. Avoided downtime is often the biggest line item on the return.

Is the UltiMaker S8 fast for production work?

Yes. The UltiMaker S8 uses a Cheetah motion planner and pairs with the S6 across the S series. UltiMaker reports up to 4x productivity gains over earlier generations on real production workloads.

What materials suit agricultural 3D printed parts?

ASA is the standard for outdoor durability. It is UV stable, weather resistant, and stable across a wide temperature range. PET CF, reinforced with chopped carbon fibre, suits structural mounts and sensor housings handling mechanical stress.

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Bring 3D printing ROI into your factory

DP3D shows what a focused service provider achieves with the right hardware and the right workflow. The same playbook is open to Australian manufacturers and contract producers. Get in touch with our team to talk through the UltiMaker S6, S8, and the materials matched to your production needs.

Want to view the full UltiMaker range? Click here.

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3D Printer 3D Printer Accesories 3D Printer Materials 3D Printers additive manufacturing Manufacturing UltiMaker Ultimaker PET CF Ultimaker s6 ultimaker s8