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3D Printed Jigs and Fixtures for Yorkshire Workshops
EngineeringCompositesYorkshire

3D Printed Jigs and Fixtures for Yorkshire Workshops

By Keagan Walker (AI-assisted)•Published: 12 June 2026
Summary

Additive manufacturing enables workshops to fabricate lightweight, bespoke jigs and assembly fixtures in hours rather than machining them from aluminum, reducing assembly times and fatigue.

Transforming Shop Floor Operations

In manufacturing, CNC machining, and assembly shops across Yorkshire, efficiency relies on tooling. Jigs, fixtures, alignment templates, and drill guides are essential for ensuring repeatability and accuracy. However, traditional custom steel or aluminium jigs are heavy, expensive to machine, and have long lead times.

By switching to 3D printed jigs and fixtures, workshops can reduce tooling costs by up to 80% and lead times from weeks to days.

Key Takeaway

Custom 3D printed assembly aids protect delicate parts from scratching, reduce operator fatigue due to their light weight, and can be reprinted in hours if designs change.

The Benefits of Additive Tooling

  • Saves Weight & Reduces Fatigue: Printed polymers are lightweight. A large alignment jig that would weigh 10kg in steel might weigh only 1.5kg in PETG or Carbon Fibre, making it much easier for operators to handle throughout an 8-hour shift.
  • No-Mar Surfaces: Metals jigs can scratch polished or painted components. Materials like TPU (flexible rubber) or PETG are soft enough to clamp parts securely without marking the surface.
  • Rapid Iteration: If a design is updated, machining a new aluminium fixture could halt production for days. With FDM printing, we can modify the CAD file, hit print, and deliver a new fixture to your workshop within 48 hours.

Material Selection for the Factory Floor

We match the material to the physical demands of your shop floor:

  1. Carbon Fibre Reinforced Composites: For structural frames, welding fixtures, or coordinate-measuring machine (CMM) templates that require absolute stiffness and no flex.
  2. TPU (Flexible): For custom vacuum suction pads, non-slip workbench nests, and protective jaw covers for bench vices.
  3. PETG: For general assembly holders, sorting bins, and non-structural templates.

Custom Tooling for Yorkshire Businesses

Improve your workshop efficiency with custom tooling. Send your component CAD file to NovaLab 3D in Pickering, and we can design and print a custom jig tailored to your assembly process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jigs printed in engineering polymers like carbon fibre composites or nylon possess high impact resistance. Insets can be designed to accept metal drill bushings to prevent wear.

Yes, for low-stress holding fixtures, positioning guides, and assembly jigs, 3D printing is much cheaper and faster, while offering a non-marring surface that won't scratch delicate parts.

If a fixture breaks or a product design changes, a replacement jig can be modified in CAD and printed in under 24 hours at our Pickering facility.

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Keagan Walker

Founder & Lead Designer

NovaLab 3D is a boutique engineering and additive manufacturing studio based in Pickering, North Yorkshire. We provide B2B clients and product developers with direct access to lead engineering consulting, fast 48-hour turnarounds, and custom FDM production runs.

3D Printed Jigs and Fixtures for Yorkshire Workshops | NovaLab 3D