Application of the week: Faucet knob

Welcome back to our application spotlight series, where we explore real-world 3D printed solutions delivering faster, smarter, and more cost-effective manufacturing. Each week, we highlight how additive manufacturing can replace traditional methods—saving time, reducing costs, and improving performance.

This week, we’re spotlighting a custom 3D printed faucet knob - a small but essential replacement part produced quickly and affordably with UltiMaker 3D printing technology.

Quick replacements, wherever they’re needed

From industrial facilities to defense applications, reliable access to spare parts is crucial. A missing or broken faucet knob may seem minor, but in environments where maintenance downtime can cause significant delays, sourcing a replacement part quickly is critical.

Traditionally, replacement knobs can be hard to source—either due to discontinued stock, long lead times, or inflated costs for small-batch production. Additive manufacturing offers a smarter alternative: parts produced on demand, exactly when and where they’re needed.

When faced with the need for a replacement faucet knob, the engineering team turned to 3D printing to provide a faster, more cost-effective solution.

Printing with strength and reliability

Using an UltiMaker 3D printer and PET CF, a carbon fiber–reinforced filament, the team produced the faucet knob in just 32 minutes. PET CF offers excellent stiffness, wear resistance, and dimensional stability- making it well suited for functional spare parts that need to withstand repeated daily use.

Key features and benefits

• Fast turnaround: From weeks of waiting for sourcing or delivery to just 32 minutes of printing.
• Cost savings: Traditional replacement cost around €10 - the 3D printed part was produced for only €2,50.
• Durable material: PET CF provides excellent stiffness and long-lasting performance under frequent use.
• On-demand availability: Eliminates reliance on suppliers for small, hard-to-source spare parts.

Smarter spare parts, on demand

This 3D printed faucet knob highlights how additive manufacturing can transform maintenance and repair workflows across industries - from defense to industrial facilities and beyond. By using advanced materials like PET CF with UltiMaker’s reliable 3D printing technology, organizations can reduce downtime, cut costs, and keep operations running smoothly.

Whether it’s a critical machine component or a simple everyday spare, 3D printing empowers teams to produce the parts they need, exactly when they need them.

Curious to see how your organization can benefit from 3D printing? Book a call with one of our applications engineers