3D products

3D printing makes sense where an exact shape is needed in small numbers: a holder for one particular device, an organiser for one particular drawer, a part the manufacturer no longer supplies. This section collects those — from wine racks and cases to functional accessories.

What to look at

Colour matters less than whether the shape fits your item. When ordering an accessory for equipment, it is worth confirming the exact model.

• Material. PLA is fine indoors; where there is heat or load, PETG holds up better.
• Heat. Leaving parts in a car in summer is a bad idea — the plastic softens.
• Small batches. A new model can be added quickly because there are no moulds to pay for.
• Repairs. A cracked part can often be reprinted instead of replacing the whole set.