In an industrial environment, color is rarely chosen for aesthetic reasons alone.

A red tool, a blue jig, or a green part can instantly communicate information: which machine the tool belongs to, which vehicle model it is intended for, where it should be used, or which operation needs to be performed.

This use of color is part of a broader visual management approach, particularly common in production environments that apply Lean Manufacturing principles.

The idea is simple: if information can be understood at a glance, no one needs to search for it.

This is precisely where 3D printing takes on a new dimension with the arrival of Onyx GF, Markforged’s new glass fiber-reinforced nylon, available in several colors.

Color as a Production Tool

Using colors to quickly identify tools or equipment is nothing new.

For example, in the aerospace industry, for example, precision fastener manufacturer M.S. Aerospace uses interchangeable aluminum trays that are color-coded according to the dimensions of the parts they are designed to hold [1]. The goal is not to make the shop floor more visually appealing: color simply helps operators identify the right equipment more quickly.

A similar approach can be found at PalletOne, an American pallet manufacturer. As part of its Lean initiative, the company assigned each machine its own set of color-coded tools. A blue tool placed near a green machine immediately indicates that it is probably out of place. This organization improves visibility and makes tools easier to track [2].

In both cases, color becomes a form of information.

As a result, that information can deliver very tangible value: reducing errors, accelerating an operation, or simply preventing time from being wasted searching for the right tool.

5S: Making the Workplace Visual

More broadly, this approach fits directly into the 5S philosophy, a workplace organization method associated with Lean Manufacturing and visual control [3].

The five steps are often presented by their Japanese names, English translations, and French equivalents:

• Seiri means eliminating what is not necessary.
• Seiton means organizing what remains so that every item has a clearly defined place.
• Seiso adds cleaning and workplace inspection.
• Seiketsu turns this organization into a standard.
• Finally, Shitsuke means sustaining these practices over time.

However, the principle behind 5S goes beyond simply keeping a workshop clean. It is about creating an environment where abnormalities and errors become visible.

That is where color becomes particularly valuable.

If color makes it possible to identify a tool immediately, it can become part of the visual control system itself.

When a Few Millimeters Make All the Difference

A recent example illustrates this approach particularly well.

At Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA), several vehicle models are produced on the same line. Some of the jigs used for these different models can have very similar geometries, with differences of only a few millimeters.

In an environment where tools are handled and reused many times during a shift, selecting the wrong jig can lead to an error, rework, or lost time.

To address this challenge, SIA integrated color coding into its tooling so that the correct jig could be identified immediately.

The problem was that ABS-printed parts could provide the desired color, but not the durability required for repeated use on an automotive production line.

This is where Onyx GF comes into its own.

SIA uses colored Onyx GF tooling for applications ranging from positioning jigs to more robust assembly fixtures. Color differentiates the tools, while the material maintains the mechanical performance required for production use.

As a result, color is therefore no longer a finish added after manufacturing.

It becomes part of the part’s function.

Onyx GF: Where Color Meets Industrial 3D Printing

With this challenge in mind, Markforged developed Onyx GF.

Introduced in 2026, Onyx GF is a short glass fiber-reinforced nylon available in six colors: red, yellow, blue, green, gray, and white. The material is designed for industrial applications where color can support visual management, safety, or error prevention.

The benefits are particularly clear for jigs, fixtures, and production tooling.

In practical terms, imagine a company that uses several nearly identical jigs for different product variants.

Instead of having to read a reference engraved on each part, an operator can associate:

• One color with a model
• Another with an operation
• Another with a production area
• A color with a level of criticality

Geometry remains important, but identification becomes instantaneous.

Furthermore, this approach also aligns with the principle of poka-yoke, or mistake-proofing: using product or process design to reduce the possibility of an error occurring.

From Filament to Production Tool

In this context, one of the main advantages of 3D printing in this context is the ability to quickly produce tools tailored to a specific application.

Moreover, a jig does not need to be mass-produced to be cost-effective. A single part or a few units may already justify the use of additive manufacturing when traditional tooling would require more time or resources.

With Onyx GF, this flexibility now comes with visual information built directly into the part.

Potential applications include:

• Assembly jigs differentiated by model
• Fixtures identified by workstation
• Tool holders associated with a specific machine
• Replacement parts identified by function
• Tooling intended for environments where FOD management is important
• Safety components that require quick visual identification

Color can even distinguish several versions of the same part without requiring any change to its geometry.

A Color That Eliminates an Additional Step

Traditionally, when a printed part needed to be visually identified, several solutions were available: paint, labels, markings, or engraving.

These methods can work, but they add another step to the manufacturing process.

By contrast, with a colored material, the information is built directly into the part during printing.

This is particularly valuable in a production environment, where every additional step can become a source of variation or maintenance.

The approach is even more relevant when the part is handled regularly. Color embedded in the material does not depend on a label that could peel off or paint that could wear away.

What If the Part Also Needs to Be Strong?

This is where the comparison with traditional colored plastics becomes interesting.

However, color alone is not enough for an industrial application. A production jig must withstand handling, repeated contact, and the specific stresses of its environment.

Onyx GF uses a nylon matrix reinforced with short glass fibers. Published data indicates a flexural strength of 88.2 MPa and a flexural modulus of 2.4 GPa. The material can also be reinforced with Continuous Carbon Fiber for applications requiring greater structural performance.

This positions Onyx GF not simply as a new way to produce colored parts, but as a material designed for functional industrial applications.

Onyx GF or Onyx?

The comparison with standard Onyx is particularly interesting.

Standard Onyx is a nylon reinforced with chopped carbon fiber. Markforged reports a flexural strength of 71 MPa and a flexural modulus of approximately 3.0 GPa for this material [4].

Of course, these values should be compared with caution, since testing conditions and print parameters can influence the final properties of a part.

The key is therefore not to determine which material is “better,” but to choose the one that best suits the application.

In other words, Onyx remains an excellent choice when color does not provide functional value, while Onyx GF becomes particularly valuable when visual identification is part of the requirement.

What Do You Need to Print With Onyx GF?

At launch, Onyx GF is compatible with the Markforged FX10 and FX20 printers. Because the material contains glass fibers, it also requires a Plastic Hardened Nozzle.

Onyx GF can also be combined with Continuous Carbon Fiber for applications requiring greater structural strength.

However, compatibility is expected to evolve. The material has only just entered the market, and information published by Mark3D already indicates that support for additional Markforged platforms is planned in the near future.

Therefore, it will be worth following its development over the coming months.

A New Way to Think About Tooling

Ultimately, the arrival of Onyx GF illustrates an interesting trend in industrial additive manufacturing: the value of a part is not limited to its mechanical properties.

Its color, ease of identification, role in a 5S process, or ability to prevent an error can be just as important.

For a company already 3D printing its jigs and fixtures, switching to a colored material may seem like a small change.

Operationally, however, it can transform how tools are organized and used on the production floor.

And that may be the main advantage of Onyx GF: transforming color into a true function of the part without compromising the requirements of industrial 3D printing.

In this project, SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation and Markforged Simulation were used to optimize a reinforcement bracket for a race car before it was manufactured. Aerodynamic simulation helped determine the loads acting on the part, while Eiger was used to optimize its print orientation, infill, and continuous carbon fiber reinforcement. The final 3D-printed part achieved a worst case safety factor of 2.18 while keeping material usage and manufacturing costs under control.

A difference in handling between the left and right sides of a race car may seem minor. At high speeds, however, it can reveal an important mechanical or aerodynamic issue.

That is exactly what happened with one of the vehicles sponsored by Solidxperts. The driver noticed a difference in how the car behaved from one side to the other. After several inspections, the team discovered that the splitter, the component located at the front and underneath the vehicle, had partially detached on one side.

A reinforcement bracket was needed to securely hold the splitter in place without negatively affecting the vehicle’s aerodynamics. Since only a small number of vehicles required the part, additive manufacturing offered a fast and cost-effective solution.

The project followed three main steps:

1. Optimize the bracket geometry using SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation.

2. Determine the loads that the part would need to withstand.

3. Optimize its print orientation and manufacturing parameters using Markforged Simulation in Eiger.

Simulation makes it possible to evaluate multiple concepts virtually before spending time and material on physical prototypes. It can help answer practical questions such as:

• Does the part’s shape increase aerodynamic drag?

• Will the component withstand the expected loads?

• Which print orientation provides the best mechanical performance?

• Where should continuous carbon fiber be added?

• Can the required safety factor be achieved without unnecessarily increasing cost?

In this project, simulation created a link between design and manufacturing. The results from the fluid analysis were used to define the structural loads, and the printing parameters were then adjusted based on the stresses acting on the part.

SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation is directly integrated into SOLIDWORKS. Its setup tools guide users through the definition of fluids, units, boundary conditions, and simulation goals.

To reproduce a demanding operating condition, the team simulated a total relative air speed of 300 km/h, representing a vehicle traveling at 200 km/h with a 100 km/h headwind.

The primary objective was to measure the drag force acting on the reinforcement bracket. This value would later be used as an input load for the structural validation of the part.

The mesh divides the simulation domain into small cells where the software solves the fluid flow. Local mesh refinement can be applied around surfaces and details that have a greater influence on the results.

A mesh preview makes it possible to review the setup before running the calculation. This is an important step, since a simulation is only as reliable as the assumptions, boundary conditions, and mesh used to represent the real-world situation.

Once the calculation was complete, flow trajectories made it possible to visually confirm how the air moved around the part. The first configuration produced a drag force of approximately 14 to 15 N.

To maintain a conservative margin, the team also analyzed the part without considering the beneficial aerodynamic effect of the vehicle body. This more severe scenario produced approximately 20 N of drag, and this value was retained for the next stage of the project.

A design study can automatically vary several parameters, including:

• The radius of the leading edge

• The thickness of the part

• Its angle

• Other dimensions that influence the airflow

Instead of manually modifying and recalculating each version, the software can compare multiple scenarios to identify the geometry that minimizes drag. This approach reduces the number of physical prototypes required and speeds up concept validation.

Once the bracket geometry had been defined, the next step was to establish the design loads. Three objectives were selected:

• Withstand an aerodynamic load of 40 N, representing the conservative 20 N drag force multiplied by a factor of two.

• Support a vertical load of 25 N per screw, for a total of 50 N, representing the weight and forces acting on the splitter.

• Achieve an overall safety factor greater than 2.

These conditions were then reproduced in Eiger.

The upper connection to the vehicle body was modeled as a fixed constraint, while the lower mounting points were represented by supports that allowed certain movements while restricting the required transverse motion.

A 3D-printed part does not have the same mechanical properties in every direction. The material is generally weaker along the Z-axis, which corresponds to the direction in which layers are stacked, due to the nature of interlayer bonding.

The goal is therefore to orient the part so that its weakest direction is exposed to the lowest stresses.

Two orientations were compared in Eiger:

The horizontal orientation increased the safety factor by 56%, while the estimated cost increased by only about 1.5%. It was therefore selected as the starting point for the final optimization.

The costs presented in this case study are specific to the project and are primarily intended to compare different configurations. Actual costs may vary depending on the material, machine, print settings, and production conditions.

After selecting the print orientation, the team compared several manufacturing parameters, including:

• Infill density and pattern

• Number of walls

• Number of floor and roof layers

• Placement of continuous fiber

• Total material usage

Eiger’s optimization capabilities proposed a continuous carbon fiber-reinforced configuration capable of exceeding the target safety factor.

The automatically generated configuration was then refined further. Fiber layers that were initially adjacent to one another were separated by a layer of Onyx, as the bonding between Onyx and fiber can be preferable to stacking fiber directly against fiber.

The fiber groups were also distributed toward the upper and lower regions of the part to create a structure similar to a sandwich panel.

This arrangement improves stiffness while placing reinforcement where it provides the greatest benefit.

The final configuration achieved a safety factor of 2.18, exceeding the original target of 2.

The estimated manufacturing cost remained around $30, while still being lower than some of the configurations proposed during the optimization process.

The workflow made it possible to develop a reinforcement bracket that met the project’s three main objectives:

• Minimize aerodynamic impact

• Withstand the loads experienced on the racetrack

• Reduce both manufacturing costs and the number of physical iterations

Using SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation together with Markforged Simulation creates a digital workflow that connects design, validation, and manufacturing.

This approach makes it possible to:

• Measure realistic loads instead of relying on arbitrary estimates

• Quickly compare multiple geometries

• Reduce the number of physical prototypes

• Select a print orientation based on mechanical performance

• Strategically place continuous fiber reinforcement

• Balance cost, print time, and part performance

• Accelerate the production of low-volume parts

For automotive, industrial, and manufacturing applications, this workflow helps engineers make better decisions before the first physical part is even printed.

A high-performance 3D-printed part depends on more than its geometry. Its performance is also influenced by the actual loads it experiences, its print orientation, the selected material, and the placement of reinforcement.

The experts at Solidxperts can help you integrate SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation and Markforged solutions into your product development process. By validating concepts earlier, you can reduce iterations and manufacture parts that are better suited to their real-world operating environment.

A high-performance 3D-printed part depends on more than its geometry. Its performance is also influenced by the actual loads it experiences, its print orientation, the selected material, and the placement of reinforcement.

The experts at Solidxperts can help you integrate SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation and Markforged solutions into your product development process. By validating concepts earlier, you can reduce iterations and manufacture parts that are better suited to their real-world operating environment.

Contact our experts to discuss your next simulation or additive manufacturing project.

A new piece of jewelry can begin with just a few lines in a CAD software. But before it becomes a piece made of gold, silver, or another precious metal, that design still has to go through an essential step: becoming a physical model precise enough to be integrated into the casting process.

And this is where things get interesting.

What happens when a design is particularly complex? When a customer requests a customization? When several variations of the same model need to be produced? Or when a model needs to be manufactured quickly without creating new tooling?

Additive manufacturing offers a direct answer: produce the wax model directly from the digital file.

This is precisely the application for which 3D Systems’ MultiJet Printing (MJP) solutions have been developed. By combining a printer designed for jewelry models, dedicated wax materials, and 3D Sprint preparation software, the workflow can move directly from digital design to a model intended for the lost-wax casting process.

In jewelry manufacturing, a few fractions of a millimeter can make a significant difference.

A model may contain fine details, sharp edges, organic shapes, or complex geometries. For the final result to remain faithful to the original design, the wax model must reproduce these characteristics accurately.

The ProJet MJP 2500W Plus was specifically developed to produce wax casting patterns for jewelry applications. It uses VisiJet 100% wax materials designed to produce models faithful to the CAD design, with sharp edges and precise detail definition. 3D Systems also indicates that certain materials are designed to melt like traditional casting waxes and burn out without ash residue.

The MJP 300W Plus offers several print modes designed to meet different production requirements. Its Premium ZHD mode uses an 8 μm layer thickness, while the QHD and XHD modes use 14.1 μm and 16 μm layer thicknesses, respectively. The system’s stated typical dimensional accuracy is ±0.0508 mm per 25.4 mm of part dimension.

The MJP 300W Plus also offers a QHD mode with a stated resolution of 2,400 × 1,800 × 1,800 dpi. These different print modes make it possible to adapt the process to the desired balance between detail, surface quality, and productivity.

The goal is therefore not simply to produce a model that resembles the original design. It is to reproduce the characteristics of the digital model as accurately as possible before integrating it into the casting process.

The answer lies in the workflow.

When a model is produced using traditional methods, several intermediate steps may be required. Depending on the application, creating a master model and a mold may also be part of the process.

3D wax printing offers a different approach: the digital file becomes the direct starting point for manufacturing the physical model.

CAD model → digital preparation → wax printing → lost-wax casting → final metal part

This approach makes it possible to produce a physical model directly from the digital design. A modification made to the CAD file can then be prepared for a new print without necessarily having to recreate a master model or mold for every variation.

This can be particularly interesting for customized jewelry, small production runs, and designs requiring multiple iterations.

Additive manufacturing does not replace every traditional jewelry manufacturing method. Instead, it offers another way to produce certain models when customization, geometric complexity, or process flexibility are priorities.

A precision 3D printer can only produce data that has been properly prepared for manufacturing.

This is why software plays an essential role in the workflow.

3D Sprint is 3D Systems’ additive manufacturing preparation and production management software. It is used to prepare digital data and organize models for compatible systems.

In jewelry applications, the preparation capabilities go beyond simply positioning models on a build platform. On the MJP 300W Plus, sprues and runners can be accessed through the Strut function, facilitating the addition of structures required to prepare certain parts for casting. The software also includes the Surface Enhance function, designed to improve certain surfaces depending on the needs of the model.

The result is a more cohesive workflow:

CAD design → preparation in 3D Sprint → MJP printing → wax model → casting

Digital preparation therefore becomes an integral part of the manufacturing process. The final result depends not only on the printer, but also on how the model is prepared for production.

Not every jewelry model requires the same balance between resolution, speed, and productivity.

This is why the MJP 300W Plus offers multiple print modes.

The XHD mode is designed to balance speed and quality for the production of larger batches.

The Premium ZHD mode, with an 8 μm layer thickness, is designed to produce highly detailed models, particularly for upward-facing surfaces.

The QHD mode offers a resolution of 2,400 × 1,800 × 1,800 dpi according to 3D Systems’ specifications.

This flexibility makes it possible to adapt the process to the model being produced. A highly detailed part may require a different priority than a production run consisting of a large number of models.

The best configuration is therefore not necessarily the one that maximizes resolution alone. The appropriate mode should be selected based on the required level of detail, geometry, and production volume.

Jewelry is an industry where customization plays an important role.

A model may need to be modified to meet a customer’s requirements. A collection may require several sizes or variations. A new design may need to be tested before being introduced into larger-scale production.

In these situations, digital manufacturing offers significant flexibility.

The design can be modified in the CAD file. The new file can then be prepared and printed.

The ability to move quickly between the physical model and the digital model reduces the distance between design and production.

The development process becomes more flexible: a design can be tested, modified, and reproduced as the project evolves.

One of the best ways to understand the value of a workflow is to look at what happens in a real production environment.

Narsakka, a Finnish jewelry company, integrated a 3D Systems wax 3D printing solution to produce models intended for casting.

According to the case study published by 3D Systems, Narsakka can produce 60 to 100 wax models in just four hours, helping reduce production lead times from several weeks to a few days.

The company uses the ProJet MJP 2500W with VisiJet M2 CAST material. The workflow also uses soluble and fusible support materials, allowing batch support removal and quick access to models ready for casting.

The case study also highlights another advantage of a digital workflow: flexibility. Narsakka uses the solution for both larger production batches and more specialized custom jewelry production.

According to 3D Systems, the company also eliminated the need for master models and rubber molds in its process and reported a 100% success rate for the parts produced as part of the case study. These results should naturally be understood within the specific context of Narsakka’s application and production process, but they clearly illustrate the potential of an integrated digital workflow.

Not all 3D printing technologies are designed to meet the same requirements.

For the production of jewelry models, several factors must be considered simultaneously:

• accuracy;

• the ability to reproduce fine details;

• surface quality;

• the material being used;

• compatibility with the casting process;

• production speed;

• the amount of post-processing required.

This is where 3D Systems’ approach becomes particularly interesting. The solution is not limited to a printer.

It combines an MJP technology designed for jewelry models, wax materials compatible with the casting process, and a software environment that enables files to be prepared for manufacturing.

For a jewelry manufacturer, this means evaluating the solution as a complete workflow rather than comparing only the resolution or speed of a machine.

Additive manufacturing does not change the creativity at the heart of jewelry making.

It changes how certain designs can be transformed into physical models.

A complex model can be prepared digitally. A customization can be integrated into the CAD file. Multiple variations can be produced. A wax model can then be integrated into the casting process.

For jewelry professionals in Montreal and across Quebec, MJP 3D printing offers a way to further integrate digital manufacturing into an existing workflow.

The question is not simply whether a 3D printer can produce a wax model.

The real question is:

What could you produce if your digital design could become a precise, repeatable casting pattern directly integrated into your production process?

With its MJP solutions, VisiJet wax materials, and 3D Sprint software, 3D Systems offers an integrated approach to bringing digital design closer to jewelry manufacturing.

From CAD to wax. From wax to metal. And from a digital idea to a real piece.