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Frequently Asked Questions

Below we have answered the most common questions we receive.

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Materials & Colours

We offer a range of 3D materials and have the expertise to print them to maximum effect. From rigid bio-plastics to flexible TPU to wood fills, you can make amazing 3D prints with us.

Here are a few examples:

  • PLA (A strong rigid bioplastic, very good for prototyping and affordable).
  • Polymaker PolyMax PLA (20% stronger than ABS with great mechanical qualities)
  • NinjaTek NinjaFlex (Shore 85A) a flexible rubber-like material.

You can read all about our materials in more details here and see what colours we offer.

We offer a wide range of colours.

When you upload your models using our uploader you will be able to view a swatch and select a colour per model, so you can order multiple parts in different colours/materials in a single order.

You can also view our gallery of 3D prints and see some of the colours we offer.

Matte Colours
We also offer matte colours which are greater at defusing the light that hits an object.

Made to Order Colours
We are able to order in custom colours from our supplier that match a RAL code.

  • Colour already matched by factory: 7 – 10 working days
  • Colour not yet matched by factory: approx. 3-4 weeks, depending on the colour matching process.

Please Note: There is a minimum charge of £250 + VAT for the made-to-order service. Please contact us well in advance if this is a service you require.

For very solid, rigid parts with tough mechanical properties, we recommend selecting Polymaker PolyMax. 

You can read all about our materials in more details here.

We offer translucent filaments. Please note that “transparent” will not necessarily be completely see-through, due to the infill structure built within a model and the nature of 3D printing.

You can choose this when ordering online using our uploader tool.

We use NinjaTek NinjaFlex (Shore 85A) TPU.

You can read all about our materials in more details here.

You can determine the hardness of a material using the Shore hardness scale.

Shore hardness is defined as a material’s resistance to indentation. The higher the number, the greater the resistance (and therefore, the “tougher” the material). Shore hardness should be used with caution in 3D Printing. It is only accurate for parts with 100% infill density. We print most 3D parts with 25% infill density, therefore the flexibility of the part will be slightly different from what you would expect based solely on the Shore number. Depending on the level of flexibility you require, we can change the infill percentage. We recommend that you experiment with different infill percentages first (such as by printing a test cube) until you are certain that the part will have your desired flexibility in the material you’ve chosen.

CAD Software & Model Size

We recommend using Autodesk Fusion 360 for modelling your parts for 3D printing or TinkerCAD if you’re just getting started with CAD 3D modelling.

Make sure you combine all your bodies to form one solid body when exporting your as an STL, STEP or OBJ file. Especially when exporting from Rhino and SolidWorks, there may be mesh defects. You can read our export guides for different CAD software here.

Our printers can print without supports up to about 55-60 degrees then supports are required, they leave a gap of about 0.3mm between the model and the overhang surface. If you design your parts with this in mind you won’t need to use supports, which also lowers the material cost and the print time needed, and increases the surface finish of your model as support material will leave some post-processing to do.

Our largest print volume is 450mm (x) by 450mm (y) by 470mm (z).

If a model is larger than this, you will need to split it up into component parts that fit within our max build volume are and assemble it post 3D print.

We suggest you split it into component parts and attach them together post 3D print.

Super glue works very well when joining 3D printed parts.

Yes, we offer CAD 3D modelling, so if you have a drawing or concept that you’d like to turn into a 3D print, we can make it happen.

To get started, please fill in our short questionnaire and tell us about your project and someone will get back to you to proceed.

3D Print Settings

While every part is different, we use a grid infill of 30%. For very small parts, we would use 100% infill. in all cases our experienced technician will choose the appropriate density for your geometry.

If you have preferences, please just leave us a note when ordering.

We use a Rectilinear infill structure as default.

We normally print a wall/shell of 1.6mm. If you require something else, let us know when ordering.

Cost of 3D Printing

3D printing cost is based on a number of factors:

  • The scale of the object
  • The type of material chosen. Some materials cost more than others. Learn about the materials we offer here.
  • The material volume used in cm3
  • Lead time. Turnaround is typically 2-3 working days. We also offer Express 1-2 working days and Weekend service at an additional cost.

All prices are quoted instantly on a per model basis when you use our quote and order engine.

There are several ways to lower the 3D print cost:

  • Reduce the scale of your model if possible.
  • Avoid large overhangs (Greater than 45-65 degrees) where more support material is required. Support material is included as part of the overall material volume.
  • You can select a lower-cost material, for example Standard PLA as opposed to Polymax.

When you upload your model using our quote and order tool you will see the cost in real-time as you change materials and preferences per model.

No, it will only create support material within your model, increasing the 3D print time and overall material volume used.

Export your 3D model as a solid body, and our experienced technician will choose the appropriate density for your geometry.

Examples of different Infill percentages. We use 30% as standard as this works well for most models and creates a strong model but doesn’t waste material where it is not needed.

If you have a preference just let us know in the notes section when ordering.

Yes, we offer student and educational organisation discounts (museums, schools, colleges).

We need to verify your eligibility before you place an order with us, so please contact us first. Please send us your student ID or a letter from your educational institute so we can verify.

Yes we do, after uploading your model using our quote and order tool you will see the bulk discount applied as you increase the quantity over 5.

Our startup cost for all orders is £40.

This covers:

  • Geometry mesh analysis and preparation of models(s) for the 3D printer by a member of our team
  • Printer setup
  • Printer cleaning
  • Any test prints required to optimise model for 3D printing.
  • Post print material support removal (if applicable to a geometry).

We recommend, if possible printing more than a single item if the item is small in volume.

Time & Turnaround

Our typical turnaround is 2-3 working days. We also offer Express and Weekend 3D Printing services at an additional cost.

You can a lead time when getting a quote or placing an order with us using our quote tool.

As soon as you upload your 3D models, our system will analyse them for printability and once the order is paid it will enter production and you will be notified by email of the order progress. You will also be sent a tracking code once the order has been shipped out.

If it is not 3D-printable, we may ask you to fix the errors prior to proceeding with production.

We will work with you to resolve any mesh defects.

However, if the model is not fixable, we will cancel the order and issue a full refund.

Yes, visits to our studio in North Greenwich are by appointment only. You can book a consultation with us here.

Postage, Delivery, Pickup

We offer free Royal Mail Tracked 24 for all UK 3D Printing orders.

If you’re shipping outside of the UK, please choose the paid Royal Mail Tracked International option.

Yes. We offer motorcycle courier delivery within London. You can choose this when placing an order with us.

Yes. All our orders have Royal Mail Tracked 24 delivery included at no additional cost.

You will receive an email with a tracking number once your order is shipped out. If you enter a UK mobile number when ordering, you will also receive text message to track the delivery.

We offer an express 3D printing service and motorcycle courier delivery within London.

You can choose this when ordering with us, how quickly we can produce your part depends on the order size and scale of the models. We will advise once we receive your order.

If you would like to pickup your order, we’re at the Design District building A4 which is right outside North Greenwich tube station (Jubilee Line). You need to choose “Pickup” when ordering.

However, we do provide fast free tracked delivery for all orders.

3D Printing Applications

Yes, we have printed many architecture models to different specifications, including masterplans and mereological abstract works.

Please visit our architectural 3D Printing page for more information. 

Yes, we print tough pieces for engineering and functional applications. We recommend selecting Polymaker PolyMax as the material for such uses.

Please visit our gallery here: https://champion3d.com/gallery/

Yes. We can print medical devices and models. We also have experience converting DICOM scans (CT, MRI) into 3D models.

Yes, we do. These can sometimes take a little longer to produce.

Quotes, Invoices & Your Data

Yes. Our VAT number is GB 281916777.

You will be emailed a VAT invoice to the email you used to place your order a few days after the order is posted out. You will also receive an instant payment receipt via email when you pay.

You can find this document on the order page. If you can’t find it, contact us and we can assist you.

You can email us directly with your 3D files attached, and we will get a quote for you manually. Please note the turnaround time is longer with this method.

We always recommend using our fast self service online ordering tool.

We do not sign NDA’s in most cases as we deal with many models on a regular basis and managing every NDA and the different terms is not advisable from a legal standpoint. Instead you are protected fully by our disclaimer below.

In very few cases, specifically for larger extended projects or for other reasons we may sign NDA’s if advised by our legal team.

All User uploaded models and designs are owned by the User. 

To confirm our commitment to your privacy and data protection all User files are deleted from our system 14 days after upload and if no order is placed with us then they are not accessed.

Simply put our disclaimer lets Champion 3D provide a service to you and access your models for the purpose of 3D printing and technical review only.

“By submitting 3D Content through Email or via our Website, the User grants Champion 3D a non-exclusive, royalty free worldwide non-transferable license (i) to review the 3D Content on the basis of technical specifications (including but not limited to checking for any technical errors); and (ii) to use the 3D Content for the manufacturing of the 3D Print in order for Champion 3D to fulfil the Order placed by the User.”

Champion 3D’s primary service is 3D printing and CAD modelling.

Contacting Us

Champion 3D
Design District
Building A4, Unit 1.1
10 Monro Way
Greenwich
SE10 0EJ

North Greenwich (The O2) tube station is right next to our studio.

Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm

In-person studio visits are by appointment only. We’re a busy functioning studio with a lot of machines. Please book a consultation with us if you’d like to visit and discuss your project.

[email protected]

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We offer a quick and easy quoting and ordering. To get started, upload 3D models in STL, OBJ or STEP format.

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Location

Champion 3D at Design District
Unit 1.1, Building A4
10 Monro Way
Greenwich
SE10 0EJ

Studio hours

Monday to Friday 10am-6pm

Lead times

  • Standard – 2-3 working days
  • Express – 1-2 working days (additional cost)
  • Weekend – Order by 5pm Friday to be ready to post or collect on Monday. (additional cost)

Appointments

In-person consultations and visits to our studio are by Appointment Only. Learn more about consultations here. If you haven chosen to collect your order, we will contact you to arrange a pickup time once your order is ready.

We are located in Unit 1.1 of Building A4 (above) at the Design District on the Greenwich Peninsula.

The nearest tube station is North Greenwich on the Jubilee Line (a couple of minutes away).

You can also get to us using the Uber Boat (River Bus), Emirates Air Line (Cable Car) as well as many bus routes.

There is also a large car park opposite our studio.

Get directions with Citymapper

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