How Zauberzeug Uses Xometry for Fast and Efficient Sourcing of High-Tech Agricultural Robot Components

In the past, developing non-standard devices was always complicated by the issue of tolerance matching between externally purchased standard parts and custom-machined components. Xometry's one-stop solution perfectly solved this pain point: they not only handled the complex metal 3D printing and sourcing of components but also delivered a finished product that had undergone precision assembly and adjustment. What we received was a functionally ready component that met our precision requirements. This efficient and worry-free delivery experience is exactly what R&D personnel need.

The lessons we learned go far beyond mechanics. We reflect on three key takeaways: people are the ultimate success factor — both the team and its supporters; divide and conquer: breaking the project into subsystems prevents chaos and enables parallel innovation; and industry partners like Xometry are strategic enablers, not just suppliers.

We make the design, upload it to the Xometry Instant Quoting Engine. We see the price and delivery time immediately. Previously, we had to contact four or five different places separately. Now, we receive ready-to-assemble parts from a single channel.

With Xometry, we don’t have to go through that,” referring to simplified and faster quoting and manufacturing.

he project had a very ambitious timeline since we had to plan, produce, test and ship our complex machine all within one year. The short and scheduled delivery times from Xometry were a great help in achieving this. We were also really satisfied with the quality of the parts provided by Xometry.

Our development process begins with extensive brainstorming of potential shapes and sealing methods. 3D printing plays a key role at this stage, allowing us to quickly test different designs before determining the final production materials. Since the final materials are too costly and time-consuming for early prototype stages, we focus on creating small-scale test models in-house, then produce large prototypes through Xometry to ensure convenience and accuracy.

The Horological Society continuously balances its respect for traditional craftsmanship with an openness to modern innovation. One such innovation is the use of 3D printing, which has become an invaluable tool for prototyping clock components in plastic. By sourcing high-quality 3D-printed parts through Xometry, we should be able to test designs efficiently before committing to metal production. This approach allows us to refine intricate mechanisms like gear assemblies with minimal waste and cost.

We were pleasantly surprised by Xometry’s cost performance, production speed and product quality. We have encountered manufacturers with lower quoted prices before, but we gave up after initial contact.

Such suppliers end up costing far more time negotiating part details and following up on constant delivery delays, resulting in a much higher comprehensive cost in the end. Reliable quality control and fully traceable order progress greatly reduce communication overhead — this is our most genuine experience working with Xometry.

Xometry’s high-quality and fast delivery exceeded our original expectations. We inspected the components right after unboxing and were genuinely impressed. This was our first time using an on-demand manufacturing platform for custom production. The whole process was smooth with timely response. They solved our problems efficiently and removed all worries for our subsequent custom design work.

A student team from University of Maribor developed a stainless steel hose clip for the food and beverage industry, targeting wine and beer fermentation vessels. With Xometry's laser cutting service, they produced 1.5mm thick stainless steel sheet parts featuring elongated teardrop-shaped holes that pinch hoses at two points. The 80 × 45 × 170 mm design requires no lubrication, is food-safe, and grips vessel flanges securely without screws.

Emiel, an aerospace engineering graduate and creator of "The Practical Engineer" YouTube channel, built two magnetic coupling prototypes: magnet-to-magnet and magnet-to-copper using eddy currents. With Xometry's laser cutting service, he sourced copper plates of 3mm and 6mm thickness, discovering that the copper version enables smooth, self-regulating, non-contact torque transfer with 8mm gap capability.

The transition to electric has been a steep learning curve, but what keeps us moving forward is our ability to adapt and to work closely as a team. Every mistake or setback becomes a lesson that makes us stronger. Even when continuity is difficult, with experienced members graduating and new ones joining, the project itself becomes the bridge, carrying knowledge and experience forward.