3D printing service · Groningen
ASA 3D printing: parts that must stay outside in sun and rain for years
A facade sign, a sensor housing in the garden, a holder on the boat, a clip on the car: parts that hang outside must withstand UV, rain and temperature swings. PLA discolours and weakens, PETG lasts a season; ASA is made to stay outdoors. OmniTechs prints ASA on request on our enclosed printer in Groningen, after a feasibility check of geometry and size. Send your file or photo; within one working day you hear whether it is feasible and what it costs.
Door Sina Sadegh Esfahani · Practice page by OmniTechs in Groningen; amounts follow the current price contract · Beoordeeld op .
What does ASA 3D printing cost?
ASA is not a standard material for us and has a different filament price from PLA and PETG; the calculator therefore gives no fixed price for ASA, and you receive a quote after the feasibility check. The structure is the same as on the cost page: material, machine time, unloading and inspection, packaging and shipping, with service markup and VAT.
We print ASA slower and in an enclosed space to prevent warping; that shows in the print time. For parts larger than about 20 cm we first assess whether the shape comes out of the printer without distortion.
- On request: quote within one working day after the feasibility check
- No minimum quantity; from a single piece
- Enclosed printer, ventilated room
- Collection in Groningen without shipping costs
Which material for outdoors?
Typical values from public datasheets; exact values differ per manufacturer.
| Situation | PLA | PETG | ASA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shade, dry, one season | possible | good | good |
| Full sun, for years | discolours and turns brittle | discolours slowly | colourfast and UV resistant |
| Rain and frost | moderate | good | good |
| Heat up to about 90 °C (car in the sun) | deforms | softens around 75 to 80 °C | keeps its shape up to about 100 °C |
| Printability | easy | easy | prone to warping, enclosed printer |
What ASA is for
Outdoor housings for sensors and cameras, facade and name signs, holders and clips on a car, camper or boat, garden and pond parts, covers and knobs that sit in the sun. ASA has the strength of ABS and does not lose its colour or toughness under UV.
Design rules for ASA
ASA shrinks as it cools; large flat parts warp unless the design accounts for it.
- Wall thickness at least 1.6 mm for outdoor parts; thicker under wind or tensile load
- Avoid large thin planes; add ribs or a slight curve
- Rounded corners at the base limit warping
- Drain holes in housings against condensation
- Screw holes 0.3 mm wider with enough material around them
Where ASA stops
ASA is not flexible and not suitable for food contact. Parts larger than our enclosed printer can take are split with a joint, or we advise another process. Indoors PETG is cheaper and faster; choose ASA only when sun or temperature demands it.
How to order
Send your STL or STEP, or a photo with dimensions, and tell us where the part will hang and how large it is. We assess size, warping risk and wall thickness and send a fixed quote with a lead time.
What to expect
- Feasibility check within one working day, free
- Fixed quote with lead time after the check
- Advice on wall thickness and fixing for outdoor use
- Black or white as standard; other colours by arrangement
- Collection in Groningen without shipping costs
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ASA and ABS?
Similar strength and heat resistance, but ASA is UV resistant and colourfast where ABS fades and turns brittle outdoors. For outdoor use ASA is the modern choice.
How long does an ASA part last outside?
Years, provided the design is thick enough and water can drain. Industry uses ASA for wing mirrors and garden furniture for exactly that reason.
Can I use ASA indoors too?
Yes, but indoors PETG is usually cheaper, faster and just as strong. Choose ASA when heat above 80 degrees or sunlight plays a role.
Why is ASA on request and not standard in the calculator?
We do not stock ASA in every colour and print it only on the enclosed printer; the filament price differs from PLA and PETG. So we confirm price and feasibility per request.
Can you remake a broken outdoor part?
Often, yes. Send the old part or a photo with dimensions; we draw it, choose the print orientation for the load and print it in ASA.
Does your part have to stay outside in the sun?
Send your file or a photo with dimensions and tell us where it goes. Within one working day you hear whether ASA is the right choice, what it costs and when it is ready.