Frequently Asked Questions

The Automated AM Suitability Check is a fast, standardized initial assessment based on a purpose-built algorithm, followed by expert verification. It provides a solid foundation for whether a part is generally suitable for AM.

The Individual Expert Review is a fully personal analysis by an AM expert – covering function, requirements, process comparison, design recommendations, and economic context, with the option for follow-up questions.

No. The readyforam analysis is a structured initial assessment for technical orientation – not a production approval or manufacturability guarantee. It helps you understand whether and under what conditions AM makes sense for your part. Full production qualification requires a complete validation process with the manufacturing service provider.

readyforam is for anyone wanting to assess a concrete part for AM suitability: design engineers, product developers, technical project managers, hardware startups, and companies reviewing their part portfolios. No AM expertise is required.

The AM Suitability Check is the right entry point for a fast, standardised initial assessment – whether a part is generally suitable for additive manufacturing.

The Individual Expert Review is worth choosing when you need an individual technical evaluation: when preparing for series production, clarifying material questions, optimising a part for AM, or when an investment consideration is to be prepared through the analysis. The Review provides a deeper, part-specific assessment beyond the Check's standardised approach.

For metal parts, the primary focus is PBF-LB / LPBF; for polymer parts, it is FDM / FFF – in both the AM Suitability Check and the Expert Review. Within the Expert Review, alternative processes can be assessed on request where relevant (metal: DED, WAAM, binder jetting; polymer: SLS, MJF, SLA/DLP).

That is also a valuable outcome. If AM is not the right choice for your part, we will say so clearly – with reasoning. Often, design adjustments can make a part more AM-suitable. If that is not economically worthwhile, we will state that too.

Your analysis report is delivered by email to the address provided at checkout once it is complete. For the Individual Expert Review, you will also be contacted if any clarification is needed during the analysis.

We accept STL, STEP / STP, 3MF, IGES / IGS, and OBJ. For best analysis quality, we recommend STEP or STL. If you have a different CAD format not listed, please contact us by email before uploading.

No. The analysis is performed on individual parts. Upload the specific part you want to have assessed. If you need multiple parts analysed, please order a separate analysis for each part.

In general, a separate analysis is ordered per part. If you need to evaluate a larger group of parts or a full portfolio, please contact us beforehand and we will discuss the best approach.

Your part files, CAD data, and technical information are treated confidentially and used solely for the commissioned analysis. They are not shared with third parties without your consent, except where required for payment processing, hosting, or technical service delivery. See our privacy policy for details.

If your project requires a non-disclosure agreement before uploading sensitive data, please contact us before ordering. We will arrange the appropriate framework before you submit your files.

Payment is processed securely via Stripe. You can pay by credit card or other payment methods supported by Stripe. The analysis starts immediately after successful payment. All prices are net prices, excluding applicable VAT.

Cancellation terms are set out in the Terms & Conditions. As the analysis starts immediately after payment, full cancellation is generally not possible once it has begun. If you have questions, please contact us before placing your order.

The AM Suitability Check does not include expert consultation – the report is designed as a standardised initial assessment.

The Individual Expert Review includes follow-up questions and expert clarification as part of the scope, where relevant for your part. The expert will also reach out proactively if any clarification is needed during the analysis.

Yes. On the Report page you can request a sample report and see how a readyforam analysis is structured.

Analysis begins immediately after payment. The AM Suitability Check is typically completed within 24 hours, with a maximum turnaround of 2 business days. The Expert Review takes a maximum of 5 business days, typically 2–3 days.

No. The analysis by readyforam is a technical initial assessment of a part's potential suitability for additive manufacturing processes.

It does not replace a detailed manufacturing review, structural design analysis, strength calculation, simulation, material testing, regulatory or certification review, or final production approval.

The results serve as orientation for whether further technical evaluation, design adjustment, or production planning is appropriate.

No. readyforam provides no guarantee that a part can actually be manufactured additively without defects, economically, or at the desired quality level.

Final manufacturability depends on, among other things, the manufacturing process, material, machine, process parameters, part orientation, support strategy, post-processing, quality requirements, and the specific manufacturing service provider.

No. Even when readyforam rates a part's additive suitability as high, this is not a guarantee that subsequent production will proceed without issues.

The rating refers solely to the criteria evaluated within the scope of the analysis and the data provided by the client. AM processes are complex. For LPBF, for example, only the basic process principle is comparable across machines. Actual manufacturability and part quality depend strongly on many specific factors, including machine, powder quality, material, process parameters, part orientation, support strategy, thermal behaviour, post-processing, quality requirements, and the experience of the manufacturing service provider.

Therefore, additional issues may emerge during detailed production planning or actual manufacturing that require design adjustment, further testing, or in some cases a reassessment. A high suitability rating means: the part appears promising based on the data provided – it does not replace a final production approval.

No. The analysis by readyforam is a non-binding technical assessment and is not a basis for final economic decisions.

In particular, we do not recommend basing the following solely on the analysis: equipment procurement, selection of manufacturing service providers, investment decisions, planning of series production, binding cost, schedule or quality commitments, or make-or-buy decisions.

The analysis can help to identify technical potential and early-stage risks. However, it does not replace a detailed economic evaluation, supplier qualification, process validation, or a substitute for a final technical or commercial assessment.

The reliability of the analysis depends substantially on the quality and completeness of the data provided. The assessment is based in particular on the uploaded part file and the information supplied by the client regarding application, material, requirements, and manufacturing objective.

Incomplete, incorrect, or outdated data may result in risks not being identified or outcomes being assessed differently. readyforam reviews the provided data only within the scope of the commissioned analysis and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of information supplied by the client.

No. The analysis does not include a binding review of standards, certifications, regulatory requirements, or industry-specific approval processes.

If a part is intended for use in a regulated or safety-critical environment, the client is responsible for arranging all required tests, documentation, and approvals independently.

The analysis represents a professionally contextualised assessment based on the data provided. Decisions regarding design, manufacturing, procurement, investment, or use of a part remain the sole responsibility of the client.

Specific liability provisions are governed by the applicable terms and conditions. These FAQs serve only to explain the scope and limitations of the service in accessible terms.

No. Safety-critical, regulated, or certification-required applications are excluded from the analysis.

This includes in particular parts intended for medical devices, aerospace, automotive safety functions, pressure vessels, load-bearing structures with risk to persons, and other applications with elevated personal, material, or environmental risk.