Outsource your print: Sculpteo
What it is: an industrial on-demand service (sculpteo.com) with a large catalogue of materials and finishes and strong automatic model checks. It is geared toward professional production.
Fit for the squeezer: mixed, and worth checking first. Sculpteo's strengths are SLS and Multi Jet Fusion (nylon powders) and resin, which are not what you want for a juice tool. Before you commit, confirm it offers FDM in PETG for your part. If it does not, use one of the FDM-first services (Craftcloud, Treatstock, JLC3DP, Protolabs Network) instead, or order here only if you switch to the catch-cup approach from Chapter 14 so the plastic never holds juice.
Before you start: have lemon_squeezer.stl ready; create a free account; decide FDM
and PETG.
The exact steps
- Go to sculpteo.com and upload your file (STL or OBJ). A free account is required to order.
- The site runs an auto-repair and a Solidity Check, flagging fragile features. Review what it reports.
- Choose the technology and material. Look specifically for FDM PETG; do not accept the default SLS nylon for a juice tool.
- Add finishes if you want them, and read the instant quote.
- The order is verified for manufacturability by their software and staff before printing.
- Choose shipping and pay; it ships from their factory.
- When it arrives, run the arrival inspection checklist, then finish it (Chapter 14) and run the five tests (Chapter 15).
What is different about Sculpteo: strong automated model checks (auto-repair, Solidity Check, orientation) and a deep material catalogue, aimed at industrial work. That breadth is wasted on a small PETG part, which is why the FDM-first services are the simpler choice here.
Time and cost: plastic processing runs roughly 2 to 15 days depending on material and finish, plus shipping. Pricing suits professional parts more than a single hobby print, so get the quote before assuming it is competitive for this.
👉 Next: Shapeways.