Frequently
Asked
Questions

Get answers to the most common questions about industrial 3D printing, automation, and Mosaic’s advanced manufacturing systems.

Print-Bed-Stack-Empty-Mobile

General & Product Offering

What is Mosaic Manufacturing and what products do you offer?

Mosaic Manufacturing builds advanced 3D printing solutions that bridge the gap between prototyping and production. Our core products include Array, a scalable, automated 3D printing platform designed for high-throughput manufacturing environments, Element, an integrated multi-material 3D printer; and Palette X, a multi-material management system that is integrated into Array and Element.

What is the difference between Array and a standard print farm? 

While traditional print farms require significant manual labour, oversight, and space, Array is a fully automated system built to streamline production. With robotic part removal, integrated material handling, and centralized management software, Array reduces labour costs, minimizes downtime, and delivers consistent, high-quality prints—scaling your operation with efficiency and reliability.

What are Array’s power requirements?

Array operates on a 220–240V, 30A power supply with a NEMA L6-30P connector, single-phase. This configuration is standard for most industrial and manufacturing settings, ensuring seamless integration into existing electrical infrastructures.

What materials can I print with using Palette or Element?

Using the Palette X material management system, you can print with a wide range of materials, including: PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, Carbon fiber-infused filaments, PEEK, and more. Contact us for more materials information.

Automation & Scaling

How does Array automate the 3D printing process?

Array automates the entire 3D printing workflow to maximize efficiency and minimize manual labour. It features a robotic system that handles automated part removal through bed swapping, allowing printers to start the next job without human intervention. Its integrated material management system, powered by Palette X, enables seamless multi-material printing and automatic filament routing. Combined with smart storage and queuing systems, Array significantly increases throughput and allows for continuous, unattended production.

What are the benefits of using Array in a production environment?

Array is designed for high-volume, lights-out manufacturing. By automating key steps such as part removal, material loading, and job scheduling, it eliminates the need for constant operator supervision. This results in lower labour costs, reduced downtime, and a more consistent output. Compared to traditional print farms, Array offers a much smaller physical footprint while delivering higher throughput and better material efficiency. The result is a lower cost per part, less waste, and a streamlined workflow that’s ideal for scalable, cost-effective production.

Can Array be used in educational or research settings?

Yes, Array is well-suited for educational and research institutions that require advanced, reliable 3D printing capabilities. Its automation, multi-material support, and centralized control system make it a powerful tool for running complex experiments, prototyping new designs, or teaching additive manufacturing at scale. It enables students and researchers to focus on innovation rather than managing manual workflows.

Business & Institutional Use

Is Mosaic suitable for enterprise or research applications?

Yes, Mosaic’s solutions are designed to meet the needs of both enterprise and research environments. Whether you’re scaling production, streamlining prototyping workflows, or conducting advanced research, our products offer the flexibility, reliability, and performance needed for complex applications.

What support do you offer for integrating Mosaic into my organization?

We provide comprehensive support to ensure the smooth integration of Mosaic systems into your workflow. Our Customer Success Team guides you through onboarding and initial setup, offering training and best practices tailored to your operation. For organizations with more complex or custom needs, our Mosaic Solutions team works closely with your business to deliver hands-on support and technical expertise throughout deployment and beyond.

How does Array improve ROI in a prototyping environment?

Array accelerates the prototyping process by enabling automated, continuous printing without manual intervention. This allows teams to iterate faster, reduce downtime between design changes, and streamline product development. The ability to run overnight and unattended means more prototypes in less time—helping R&D and engineering teams get to market quicker and reach ROI milestones faster.

How does Array improve ROI in a manufacturing environment?

In manufacturing environments, Array delivers a significant ROI by enabling true lights-out production. Automation of print management, part removal, and material handling results in increased throughput, reduced labour costs, and a lower cost per part. With its ability to operate around the clock, Array maximizes printer utilization while minimizing operational overhead, making it a powerful tool for scalable, cost-effective additive manufacturing.

Multi-Material 3D Printing

What is the current status of the Palette product line?

The latest evolution of the Palette system is PX, which is integrated directly into the hardware of both the Array and Element systems. PX serves as the core of Mosaic’s advanced multi-material management platform. Previous versions of the Palette are now discontinued and no longer available for purchase.

Can I use 3rd party materials with the Element or Array?

Yes, both Element and Array are compatible with approved third-party materials. To use third-party spools with Array, an NFC tag must be attached so the system can recognize and register the material for use.

What are mosaic’s industrial grade materials?

Mosaic offers industrial-grade PEEK and PEKK filaments, engineered for high-performance applications. Both materials are available for purchase through the Mosaic online store.

How does automated part removal save time and effort?

Designed for advanced engineering materials like PEEK, PEI, and Nylon, enabling the production of durable, heat-resistant parts. Ideal for aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications requiring superior mechanical properties and reliability.

What is the purpose of the Mosaic Material Pod?

The Mosaic Material Pod plays a critical role in the automation of the Element and Array systems. It enables seamless automatic material changes and helps prevent material runout, supporting uninterrupted, lights-out factory production.

Software & Workflow

What is Canvas, and how does it work with Mosaic hardware?

Canvas is Mosaic’s software platform for slicing, print management, and multi-printer control. It’s designed to work seamlessly with Mosaic hardware, including Element and Array. With Canvas, users can prepare print files, manage materials, and queue jobs from a centralized interface—whether they’re working on a single Element desktop printer or a fully automated Array system. Canvas integrates tightly with Mosaic’s hardware features like material switching and automation, allowing users to unlock the full capabilities of their setup.

Do I need third-party slicers, or can I do everything in Canvas?

Canvas provides a complete, built-in slicing engine optimized for multi-material workflows, meaning users won’t need third-party slicers.

Can I manage multiple printers through Canvas or Array’s interface?

Yes, both Canvas and the Array interface are designed for centralized multi-printer management. Whether you’re running several Elements or a full Array system, you can queue jobs, monitor print status, manage materials, and track performance—all from a single, user-friendly dashboard. This centralized control helps streamline workflows and reduce the complexity of managing multiple devices.

Purchasing & Support

Where can I buy Mosaic products?

Mosaic products can be purchased by contacting our team, or via one of our resellers. To get started or request a quote, reach out to us at sales@mosaicmanufacturing.com.

Where are Mosaic’s printers made?

Element and Array printers are proudly made in Canada.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we ship worldwide. If you’re outside of North America and want to confirm availability or logistics for your region, our sales team will be happy to assist.

Is there an upgrade path from Element to Array for customers who already purchased an Element and would like to move up to the full Array?

Yes. Customers who purchase Element and later wish to upgrade to Array are eligible for a credit toward the upgrade. Please contact our team for details.

What kind of technical support do you offer?

Our Customer Success team specializes in technical onboarding, troubleshooting, and long-term support. In addition, we offer a growing library of online resources, including setup guides, FAQs, and training documentation to help you get the most out of your Array and Element systems.

What’s your warranty and return policy?

Warranty and return information is available here. Please refer to that page for full details on coverage, eligibility, and how to initiate a return or claim.

Troubleshooting & Maintenance

How do I maintain my Array or Element printer for long-term use?

Routine maintenance is key to maximizing the lifespan and performance of your Mosaic system. Element and Array are designed with ease of maintenance in mind, including accessible components and serviceable modules. We recommend regular cleaning, belt tightening, and timely replacement of consumables like nozzles and filters. For more advanced support or service planning, our technical team is here to help: support@mosaicmfg.com

Are replacement parts and accessories available?

Yes, replacement parts and accessories are available through our Customer Success team or the Mosaic Spare Parts Store. If you’re unsure what you need, contact us and we’ll guide you to the right components for your system.

Do I need special ventilation?

Element printers include an integrated HEPA filter that helps manage emissions and should be replaced every 6 to 12 months, depending on usage. For additional air handling, Array includes a 3-inch outlet on the top of the unit, designed for external fume extraction or connection to a dedicated filtration system, depending on your facility’s requirements.

feedback

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Ask one of our experts.

Read More

Start Scaling with Automated 3D Printing

From prototyping to end-use parts—without the bottlenecks.