Founded in 2015, the company has grown quickly by utilizing 3D printing from the beginning of their journey. From rapidly prototyping to printing laser-sintered serial production parts, 3D printing allows for the production of complex but lightweight parts that are free from design constraints, cutting time and mistakes while keeping costs at a minimum.

Quantum Systems has used Shapeways’ printing services to create the ultimate eVTOL aircrafts. We interviewed their CEO, Florian Seibel, to gain more insights on how 3D printing contributes to their drone-making process.

What is your name and role at Quantum Systems?

I am Florian Seibel, and since the founding of Quantum-Systems GmbH in 2015, I’ve held the position of CEO.

The core team of the founders got to know each other as part of their scientific work at the Institute of Flight Systems of the German Armed Forces in Munich. My expertise is the development and the operation of small unmanned aerial vehicles with the focus on design, construction and production methods. With my vision of a licensed, VTOL fixed-wing UAV, I was the initiator of the patent to secure the innovative aspects of the UAV and the driving force behind the founding of the company Quantum-Systems GmbH.

Tell us more about Quantum-Systems

Quantum-Systems GmbH was founded in 2015 in Munich and specializes in the development and production of automatic, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) fixed-wing drones for a wide variety of use cases. The 50+ employees are working intensively on combining range and electric efficiency with the ability to vertically take off and land without additional equipment.

Our passion is the continuous development of industry-leading VTOL aircrafts. With our ready-to-operate systems we serve a wide range of customers. We help to increase yields in agriculture, fly 3-D reconstruction missions, do tactical mapping for security forces or provide mission-critical video footage in real time to military users. Made in Germany, non ITAR and no back doors in soft or hardware as all of our flight planning and autopilot software is designed in-house.

Why did you choose additive manufacturing and not alternative manufacturing processes?

The complex geometry of 3D-printed parts saves weight by using synergy effects. With synergy effects we mean that with 3D-printed parts we are able to reduce the total number of parts by designing multiple-use parts with integral functionality.

What are the benefits of using additive manufacturing with Shapeways vs using traditional manufacturing?

We used 3D-printing right away, so there is no comparison. Quantum-Systems is a young company. Only because of the fact that we have integrated this manufacturing method into our manufacturing and development process, have we been able to significantly reduce development time. For injection moulded parts we save around 10 weeks by using 3D-printed samples to release the CAD data. The probability that these parts need a second loop of corrections is quite low in this way. For cnc-manufactured parts it is the same, we just often skip the first round of samples with 3D-printed parts which saves us 3-4 weeks. In general I would say 3D-printing saves us 20-50% of time, depending on which parts we design.

What do you value most in additive manufacturing services? 

We can have fast iterations in development and save time to mature our prototypes.

Why did you choose Shapeways?

Simple customer interface and good print quality! And on top of that, you are quick!

What types of 3D printing do you use Shapeways for? 

We have many prototype parts and even some serial production parts laser sintered.

Which materials do you print in and why? 

In general, we order Versatile Plastic and HP (Multi Jet Fusion PA12), sometimes colorized. The material properties are perfect for building light and strong drone parts. We prefer HP at the moment, but for some parts, especially big ones, we order Versatile Plastic due to the price.

Any future projects on the horizon?

A lot! And fortunately, all projects require the use of 3D printing. The drones sector still offers a lot of room to pack more features into smaller and more flexible products.

3D printing prototypes and parts has given Quantum Systems the ability to cut substantial time, effort and potential mistakes by streamlining their production process. See how Shapeways can help you prototype and take your designs to the next level.

The post Quantum Systems’ Drones Take Flight with the Help of 3D Printing appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Top Questions Asked

Q. Is PA12 certified non-allergenic?

A. Yes, here is a certification for biocompatability for skin-contact applications, such as jewelry.

Q. Do you have any colored MFJ materials available?

A. Colors for MJF is not in our near-term roadmap, but we will consider this for the future.

Q. I’m curious about the price of printing in this material.

A. Please upload a model through our model upload page, select Multi Jet Fusion Plastic and your desired color and finishing to see the price for your model; or reach out to our sales team and we would be happy to help!

Q. What type of glue is recommended for use with this material?

A. An off-the-shelf epoxy material will work well.

Q. My product has a moveable part. Is PA12 a good material that can withstand constant bending of this moveable part without breakage?

A. PA12 is a good option. PA11 also has great elasticity and may have slightly better long-term wear properties.

More from the Material of the Month Series: PA12

Part One: Material Overview
Part Two: Material Comparison: Nylon Plastics
Part Three: Business Example: PA12 used in the virtual reality industry
Part Four: Tutorial: Post processing PA12

The post Top Questions Answered: Multi Jet Fusion Plastic PA12 appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

If you want to learn how to add finishing touches to your products post-production before shipping to your customers or transform your own 3D printed designs to a more vivacious color you can do so by following a few simple steps. In this tutorial, Steven and Jeremy Gonzalez of The Super Maker Bros demonstrate how to paint eyeglass frames printed in Multi Jet Fusion Plastic PA12 in multiple colors, a process that can be applied to many other projects of the same 3D printed material.

3D printed eyeglass frames in MJF PA12, 220/400/600 grit sandpaper (Photo by The Super Maker Bros)

Primers and paints (Photo by The Super Maker Bros)

Here is what you will need:

•       3D model printed in Multi Jet Fusion Plastic PA12 (also applicable for Versatile Plastic)
•       220 grit, 400 grit and 600 grit sandpaper
•       Spray paint primer
•       Spray paint in your desired color(s)
•       Clear coat matte or gloss spray paint
•       Reusable drop cloths or newspaper to protect your work area from paint
•       Highly Recommended: A respirator with replaceable filters will not only protect you from spray paint fumes but will last you through many more future paint projects.

Once you have these materials you are ready to get started. Follow the steps below and check out this video to see each step in action. 

Step 1:

Prepare your workspace by placing newspaper or a drop cloth over the area to cover any furniture or floor space in range of your spray painting pattern. Protect enough space to spray from different angles.

Step 2:

Put on your respirator. Spray paint fumes are toxic and sanding generates dust particles that are dangerous to inhale, so make sure you sand and spray in a well ventilated area and wear your respirator.

Step 3:

3D printed eyeglass frames, sanded (Photo by The Super Maker Bros)

Start by sanding the glasses pieces to smooth out their surfaces. This will also help the paint adhere to the plastic. Makerbro Tip: The best sandpaper to use is wet/dry or waterproof paper because getting the paper wet helps cool the plastic while sanding as well as keeps small dislodged plastic particles under control. Waterproof sandpaper is black instead of tan or beige.

Begin with a rougher, 220 grit sandpaper to remove any bulky texture and then move on to 400 grit and 600 grit to buff the surface smooth. The lower the number, the rougher the paper is. Be sure to rinse and dry the pieces to remove loose particles.

Makerbro Tip: To give your sandpaper more longevity, apply spray adhesive to the back of your quarter sandpaper sheet and fold it over to make an extra thick one-eighth sheet. This will give you the ability to use more pressure without tearing a hole in the paper.

Step 4:

Prime the frames using a spray primer like the Dupli color filler primer. Spray the glasses using a sweeping motion, keeping the spray can at a distance of about 6 to 12 inches. Spraying too closely will coat the object in too much paint and cause dripping or even cause the coat to crack when dry. Make sure all visible surface area is covered and let the pieces dry before spraying the other side.

Makerbro Tip: Spray paint takes about 30 minutes to dry to touch but wait between 1 to 2 hours to handle it. It will be fully dry after 24 hours.

Step 5:

Once the glasses are primed, sand the surfaces once more using the 600 grit paper to achieve maximum smoothness and wipe away any resulting dust.

Step 6:

3D printed eyeglass frames, painted (Photo by The Super Maker Bros)

3D printed eyeglass frames, painted (Photo by The Super Maker Bros)

Using the same spray painting method as with the primer, spray each piece in the color of your choice and let fully dry for 24 hours.

Makerbro Tip: Want to use more than one color on the same piece? Use masking tape to cover parts of your project you want in a different color. Once the first color dries, cover that portion and paint the rest.

Step 7:

Once the glasses have had 24 hours to fully dry, it’s time to seal up the paint with a topcoat. Using the same spray painting method, apply two layers of topcoat, leaving 1 to 2 hours of drying time in between. This helps protect the paint and enhances the shine or matte finish desired. It also gives a buffer between paint and skin contact.

Step 8:

3D printed eyeglass frames, painted in blue and brown (Photo by The Super Maker Bros)

3D printed eyeglass frames, painted in green and red (Photo by The Super Maker Bros)

Now assemble the pieces and you’ve got a brand new pair of glasses! You can have a pair in every color.

Check out The Super Maker Bros on Instagram (where they’ll be posting more photos and videos) and YouTube for more fun 3D printed projects.

More from the Material of the Month Series: PA12

Part One: Material Overview
Part Two: Material Comparison: Nylon Plastics
Part Three: Business Example: PA12 used in the virtual reality industry

The post How to Paint 3D Printed Eyeglass Frames Your Favorite Color appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Experimenting with virtual reality is an exciting — and somewhat unnerving — process. It often requires much trial and error, which is precisely why the team at Spaces needed to find a final stage prototyping process to aid them. That’s where Shapeways stepped in. Spaces loves Shapeways’ dimensional accuracy and durability and has used 3D printing –primarily the Multi Jet Fusion Plastic PA12 material – ever since first discovering the company.

Why is it beneficial to print with Shapeways over traditional manufacturing methods such as injection molding?

Spaces: We are constantly inventing and iterating, most of the time under very tight time constraints. Using 3D printing allowed us to make parts that broke some rules and to make changes to parts quickly. Shapeways helped us create parts that could not be manufactured through conventional injection molding. Undercuts are a major concern with any tooling for injection molding and create a lot of work to get parts made.

Spaces utilizes 3D printing to build virtual reality experiences. (Photo courtesy of Spaces)

Which is your most used material?

Our most used material is the Multi Jet Fusion Plastic PA12 because it gives us acceptable resolution and is durable.

Why do you print with Shapeways versus desktop 3D printing?

The quality and quantity of the Shapeways parts we print are the main benefit. For the most part, desktop printing does not produce the same quality and resolution. Also, most desktop printers can be unreliable, which is something we cannot take a chance with when printing large quantities of parts for our installations. Most of our parts are conceived using desktop printing methods and then turned over to Shapeways for printing en masse.

What are the added benefits of using Shapeways?

We have been impressed with the customer service. Personal attention is very important when we are working against tight deadlines.

More from the Material of the Month Series: PA12

Part One: Material Overview
Part Two: Material Comparison: Nylon Plastics
Part Three: Business Example: PA12 used in the virtual reality industry
Part Four: Tutorial: Post processing PA12

The post 3D Printing Virtual Reality Products in MJF PA12 appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

The history of nylon plastics is long, especially for traditional manufacturing. Polyamides like nylon offer a high melting point and are extremely popular because of their high ductility–allowing manufacturers to engineer flexible parts for thinner structures, but more rigid pieces with thicker parts. 

Understanding Nylon 12 3D Printing Plastic

Nylon 12 serves as an exemplary model of a polyamide used for conventional methods like Injection Molding, but is also at the forefront of many applications for 3D printing plastic. In the same family as other popular Nylon materials (notably Nylon 6, Nylon 6,6, and Nylon 11), Nylon 12 is revered due to its unique suite of properties and reinforced formulations. 

Popular for its mechanical properties, tensile strength, durability, abrasion resistance, biocompatibility, and overall suitability for making functional parts, Nylon 12 has a relatively low concentration of amides and relatively low moisture absorption. These qualities may make the material trickier for 3D printing plastic, but they also imbue Nylon 12 with desirable qualities like chemical and abrasion resistance, strength, and durability. Further, Nylon 12 offers a low coefficient of friction. All of these qualities create a versatile material favored for 3D printed prototypes and end-use, functional parts featuring gears or hinges.

3D Printing Nylon 12 with Selective Laser Sintering and PA12 Material with Multi Jet Fusion

Shapeways 3D prints materials like Nylon 11 [PA11 (SLS)] and Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] via Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). Developed as one of the first 3D printing technologies, SLS is one of the most powerful rapid prototyping tools across all industries. Manufacturers rely on 3D printed nylon plastics for functional, end-use products in applications like aerospace and drones, and automotive. Using intensive lasers that melt nylon powder fast and evenly, SLS technology is advantageous for industrial manufacturers seeking accurate, high-performing parts that are strong and isotropic. Users are not saddled with sacrificing mechanical properties, as SLS parts are excellent in both tensile strength and modulus.

MJF is a 3D printing process developed from HP’s long-standing expertise in inkjet technologies. Droplets of fusing and detailing agents are applied along with thermal energy on top of the powdered material to define the part’s geometry. The precision of inkjet technology is such that builds can be controlled at the 3D voxel level. Shapeways uses MJF technology to 3D print the following PA 12 material: Nylon 12 Full Color (MJF), Multi Jet Fusion PA12 (MFJ PA12), and Nylon 12 Glass Beads [MJF Plastic PA12GB].

Both SLS 3D printing and MJF 3D printing offer clear advantages to any designer or engineer due to the expanded and outstanding freedom in design. This is accentuated by the ability to avoid the use of supports as surrounding and lingering powder bolsters 3D prints in p-ogress, streamlining the design process and eliminating myriad headaches. Both SLS and MJF 3D printing technologies allow for smart packing, resulting in hundreds or even thousands of parts ‘nested’ together in one build. Sustainability also plays an important role as the extra powder can be re-used in consequent builds. This is possible when reused materials are mixed at a minimum of 50/50 with virgin 3D printing powder.

Print time is relatively comparable for both processes as SLS and MJF technology can accommodate larger parts. The biggest differences lie in the precise mechanical properties of chosen 3D printing materials, finishing options, and desired timing. Find out more specifics of each 3D printing plastic below:

Nylon 11 [PA11 (SLS)] 

Nylon 11 [PA11 (SLS)] is the most flexible 3D printing nylon material due to its high elongation at break. It has slightly higher strength than the other materials. This combination of high strength and good elongation at break makes Nylon 11 [PA11 (SLS)] the most impact-resistant of 3D printing plastic material available from Shapeways in nylon. 

This material is biocompatible and known for its ductility, allowing for both durability and flexibility. Nylon 11 [PA11 (SLS)] has higher temperature resistance and is based on renewable resources, making it more environmentally friendly.

Typical 3D printing applications for Nylon 11 [PA11 (SLS)] include:

• Automotive
• Loaded functional prototypes
• Orthotics and prosthetics
• Mechanical parts including hinges
• Sports equipment

A natural white finish is available for this material. Find design guidelines for Nylon 11 [PA11 (SLS)] here.

Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic]

While Shapeways offers over 90 different materials and finishes, Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] tops the list as an industry favorite, living up to its name. Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] is known for high ductility, allowing for flexibility with thinner structures and a rigid nature for thicker parts. This material is known for durability and strength, making it popular for structural components. Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] is dishwasher safe, heatproof to 163C/325F, skin-friendly, and offers good chemical resistance.

Typical applications include:

• Architecture, to include interior statement pieces
• Automotive
• Drone technology
• Footwear, fashion, and accessories
• Mechanical components, including interlocking parts
• Medical models
• Luxury jewelry
• Robotics

Colors and finishes available for Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic]:

• Natural: This finish has a slightly rough surface and a matte finish.
• Processed: This finish removes some material to create a smoother surface.
• Premium: Relying on ceramic media tumbling, this finish removes material to create a smooth surface.
• Smooth: This finish has a smooth surface and slight shine, created using a physio-chemical process with vapor.
• Colors: Versatile Plastic is naturally white. Shapeways also offers Black, Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple. Colors other than White are dyed and will wear through over time with handling.

Find design guidelines for Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] here.

Nylon 12 Full Color (MJF)

Nylon 12 Full Color (MJF) possesses superior mechanical properties, dimensional stability, and good resistance to impact–as well as chemicals like oil, grease, and more. Defined by the capacity to deform under tensile stress, Nylon 12 Full Color (MJF) is flexible for structures with a thinner design but becomes rigid for use with thicker parts, offering the durability and density required for end-use parts. This material is easily recycled and is also safe for skin contact.

Nylon 12 Full Color (MJF) is also available in Natural and Smooth glossy finishes and a vast array of colors. This material is suitable for applications like:

• Industrial jigs and fixtures 
• Braces and casts
• Moving and interlocking components
• Structural parts and mounts
• Medical models 
• Presentation models
• Functional prototypes to test for form and fit

Explore design guidelines for Nylon 12 Full Color (MJF) here.

MJF Plastic PA12 (MFJ PA12) 

MJF PA12 possesses similar properties to its SLS counterpart; however, HP’s nylon plastic is known for superior mechanical properties. This material presents high elongation at break, and great elasticity, making it more resistant to breakage. MJF PA12 provides excellent resolution of small details, and a surface that is slightly more sealed than parts 3D printed via SLS. As a result, watertight properties can be achieved for some parts. Strength, durability and stiffness make MJF PA12 a great choice for functional parts. This material is skin friendly, has a heat deflection of 95C/203F, and offers good chemical resistance.

Typical applications include:

• Drone technology
• Eyewear frames
• Home decor
• Mechanical and structural parts
• Orthotics and prosthetics
• Tech accessories

MJF PA12 colors and finishes:

• Gray: Medium gray with a matte and slightly grainy surface finish
• Black: Dyed black with a matte and slightly grainy surface finish
• Black Smooth: Dyed black with a smooth and slightly glossy surface finish

Explore design guidelines for MJF PA12 here.

MJF Plastic PA12 Glass Beads (MJF PA12GB)

MJF Plastic PA12 Glass Beads are a nylon material infused with glass beads, improving product stiffness and structural integrity. This material is 40% glass-filled, reducing warpage during the 3D printing process and over the product’s life. MJF PA12GB is an excellent choice for functional parts that require high strength and dimensional accuracy. This material has a heat deflection of 114C/247F, is skin-friendly, and offers good chemical resistance. 

Typical applications include:

• Drone technology
• Cases
• Fixtures
• Housing
• Robotics
• Tooling

Colors and finishes:

• Gray: Natural gray finish, blasted with oxide beads and air
• Dark Gray: Blasted with oxide beads and air, finished with a dark gray color

Explore design guidelines for MJF Plastic PA12 Glass Beads here.

Shapeways has been privileged over the years to collaborate with innovative customers involved in very impressive work. Highlighting nylon materials for 3D printing plastic, industrial designers like Flamingo Works 3D printed engaging learning platforms and simulators for robot-assisted surgeries. Architectural design firm Tapperworks collaborated with Shapeways to 3D print The Village, using a variety of materials to complete a complex architectural model of an apartment complex in the Netherlands. Companies like BeeHero have also been able to streamline technology for beekeepers and farmers, 3D printing sensor housings for smart hives created to improve pollination. 

About Shapeways

Enjoy the benefits of this advanced technology and a wide range of materials from Shapeways for 3D printing your creations with accuracy, complex detail, and no minimum or limits in terms of mass customization or single part orders. Shapeways has worked with over 1 million customers in 160 countries to 3D print over 21 million parts! Read about case studies, find out more about Shapeways additive manufacturing solutions, and get instant quotes here.

The post The Expert Guide to Nylon Plastics appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

HP’s Multi Jet Fusion Plastic PA12 (formerly named “Professional Plastic”) has excellent mechanical properties and can be dyed black for a sleek finish, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications.

Since we now offer two Multi Jet Fusion Plastic materials (see new material announcement), PA12 has reclaimed its industrial name to clearly differentiate it from PA12 Glass Beads, which contains 40% glass beads for added stiffness and durability. Both materials use the Multi Jet Fusion technology, a professional-grade 3D printing process that creates high-quality, end-use products.

Ideal Applications Include:

• Drones
• Fixtures
• Home decor
• Eyewear
• Games
• Prosthetics

HP Multi Jet Fusion Technology

PA12 is printed using HP’s Multi Jet Fusion Technology and supports very complex geometries and thin features.

Material

Polyamide

Colors

Features

• Heatproof to 175C/350F
• Good Chemical Resistance
• Skin-Friendly
• Water Tight

.

Technical Documents

Check out the Material Data Sheet and the Material Safety Data Sheet for PA12.

Upload Your File

Ready to get started? Upload your file now for an instant quote.

Grow Your Business

Learn how you can utilize PA12 to expand the manufacturing capabilities of your business.

Upcoming blog posts on Material of the Month: PA12

Part Two: Material Comparison: PA12 vs PA12 Glass Beads
Part Three: Business Example: PA12 used in the virtual reality industry
Part Four: Tutorial: Post processing PA12

The post Material of the Month: PA12 appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur in the midst of expanding your business or a first-time creator experimenting with a new product, your idea deserves the highest quality materials. While 3D printing is an ever-expanding industry, here at Shapeways we’re committed to staying on top of the latest cutting-edge technologies to ensure you have all you need to innovate your industry. A large part of that pledge is consistently diversifying our range of materials so that we always have the perfect match for your product’s specific needs. Today we’re excited to announce the addition of two new maker materials to the platform: PA12 Glass Beads and TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). These two new materials are maker materials meaning they will only be available for purchase on own models and not available on the marketplace.

PA12 Glass Beads

PA12 Glass Beads Multi Jet Fusion Plastic

PA12 Glass Beads is a new addition to the material family formerly known as “Professional Plastic” that we’re renaming “Multi Jet Fusion Plastic.” PA12 Glass Beads is a glass-filled nylon printed with HP MJF technology. This material offers high stiffness and high structural integrity. Translation: large and flat products will print with ease, without the concern of warping or distortion. PA12 Glass Bead’s resilience and strength make it an ideal material for projects within the medical, robotics, and drones industries, particularly for applications like flat parts, fixtures, and tooling. It’s currently available in two finishes: Gray and Dark Gray.

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane)

Highly flexible and shockingly durable, thermoplastic polyurethane is a vast improvement from our previously offered elastoplastic. TPU’s elasticity and natural resistance to most every day wear make it an excellent candidate for automotive and medical use. It would work wonders as an insole, midsole, or helmet; and for robotics applications, TPU could be used for tubing, hoses, and seals.

We’re so excited to see how these new materials will expand the realm of what’s possible with Shapeways. PA12GB and TPU are now available on our site for your own models. Upload your design, select one of these two exciting materials, and get an instant quote now.

The post Introducing Our Two New Materials! appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

A group of designers experiences HP nylon plastic for the first time

Shapeways has so many materials available that it’s easy to lose track of what you can print with. We wouldn’t want that to mean that you miss out on one of our most advanced and interesting materials — one that you have the opportunity to put to innovative new uses: HP nylon plastic.

It’s the newest material we offer, and it’s also one of the most exciting. HP spent years developing a new way to turn nylon powder into super-strong products. The result is a material that’s denser and stronger than most, and one that we’re helping to pioneer as a consumer material. HP nylon plastic is exclusively maker-only, which means that only our creators can access it (and sell products printed in it outside the Shapeways marketplace).

Glasses Frame with Customizable Inscription by Pookas

Designed for industrial uses, it’s well known that HP nylon plastic works incredibly well for HP’s big manufacturing clients looking to move over to 3D printed production parts. And it performs outstandingly for functional uses. But our uniquely varied community of creators has shown that its applications go far beyond the purely industrial, redefining its possibilities along the way.

People like you are discovering that everything from sleek eyeglasses to intricate designs for items like jewelry, phone cases, and miniatures printed in HP look wonderful and hold up to impacts, daily manual use, and other wear and tear. So bring on your living hinges, coils, connectors, and brackets. And don’t forget that decorative elements shine in this material.

print in hp

A Selection of Bracelets from creators MulderenDeVries

It’s a Prototype AND a Finished Product

If you want to really put your designs to the test, HP nylon plastic is an extraordinary prototyping material. And the best part about using it to prototype is that it can then seamlessly become a production material — one that allows you to keep iterating even as you ship end-use products to your customers. With the experience and investment of a company like HP, combined with the unmatched 3D printing knowledge of Shapeways, this material is uniquely able to meet tricky consumer demands.

Oh, the Possibilities…

Mega Flora Ring by Nervous System

Makers in the Shapeways community are already doing great things with HP Nylon Plastic. We’ve been working with HP since 2014 on this material, and it’s only since last year that we’ve been able to offer it to our community. However, the result has been nothing short of spectacular. Shapeways creators have already stepped up and helped define and redefine what’s possible with this material, and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store.

try it now

The post Why You Need to Try This Innovative Material appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Here’s a quick guide to some of the most amazing materials you can design and 3D print with right now.

Frosted Detail Plastic

If you’re looking for the most accurate 3D printing material, one of the best options is frosted detail plastic. We use a multi-jet process, printing and curing each layer one at a time to create high-definition designs that are perfect for model trains, miniature figures, and other small objects.

Frosted detail plastic comes in Ultra and Extreme Detail options—the latter is best for incredibly detailed features like engravings. Both versions of the material can also be painted over easily for a splash of color.

HP Nylon Plastic

We use a top of the line HP Jet Fusion 3D 4200 to print strong and functional objects out of nylon plastic. It’s perfect for phone cases, camera mounts, and drone parts, but it’s also smooth enough to make jewelry, toys, and home decor.

Nylon plastic is also cheap to print, and comes in black or gray. If you’re designing with it, keep in mind that stiff, thicker objects are less likely to warp. Smaller details will also show up more clearly in black.

Aluminum

This is the only metal material other than steel that we can directly print (rather than 3D printing wax and creating a mold). Aluminum’s strength makes it an ideal choice for mechanical and other load bearing parts.  Additionally, Aluminum is perfect for bike accessories and other products that will be exposed to the environment due its high corrosion resistance. It’s not cheap to print, but it’s still not as expensive as other metal materials like gold.

If you’re designing in aluminum, remember that sharp edges on your object could get rounded down. The material also isn’t accurate enough for complex interacting parts like screws and nuts, though it does support interlocking parts.

Full Color Sandstone

If you want a multi-colored object, Sandstone is the way to go. It’s a fantastic full-color 3D printing material and it’s pretty cheap too, making it the perfect choice for figurines and lifelike models.

Shapeways special printing process for Sandstone involves creating one layer of color at a time.The finished product will look amazing on your desk or up on a shelf, though it’s too brittle to be handled on a regular basis.

Gold and Platinum

Finally, we come to precious metals. Yes, you can create gold objects with Shapeways in either 14 karat (gold, rose gold, or white gold) or an extra vibrant 18k gold option. For truly special objects, you can also choose to 3D print in platinum.

The process involves 3D printing a wax model which is used to create a plaster mold.  The plaster mold is used to pour and cast the material, and it works for platinum too. It’s perfect for creating small rings, earrings and other jewelry. Of course, gold and platinum don’t come cheap, but if you’re looking to create an extra special piece of jewelry, this is a great way to do it.

Try it Now

The post 6 Incredible Materials You Can 3D Print in Now appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
With every new material and technology we offer, we work closely with our community and technology partners to improve and develop it. Our testing and evaluation of this new technology started back in 2016 when Shapeways partnered with HP and received the very first prototype printer in the field. Our 3D printing engineers spent months user-testing this machine and providing expert feedback to the HP team to help drive development of this revolutionary technology.

The HP Jet Fusion Printer in action

Once we received the first production machines, we invited community members to our Eindhoven factory to get feedback on the material in their designs and to get an in-depth look at our process.

A designer from our community tests out HP Nylon Plastic

In April, we opened Early Access to HP’s Multi-Jet Fusion technology. Since then, together, we have been rigorously testing the capabilities with thousands of different applications and geometries, thanks to our diverse community’s endlessly varied, one-of-a-kind products. This has enabled us to have an extraordinary and unique understanding of the material and process.

DETAILS
You have helped us prove that prints developed with HP have excellent mechanical properties, a smooth surface, and a more finished look. Both the quality and strength of HP have not yet been matched by other materials, showing the ingenuity of this new technology. Over the course of developing the material, your insights have also helped us drop our lead time to 6 days.

Because of the increased strength, durability, and smoothness, this new material will be introduced at a higher price than our Strong & Flexible family of plastics.

Along with our community, we hope that in the future the HP printers will help us to lower costs for our users. It is HP’s mission to create the fastest and least expensive nylon printer on the market, and we are grateful to continue working with them to help make this happen.

As roll out HP to all of our makers, we are renaming the material from HP Strong & Flexible to HP Nylon Plastic to distinguish it from our Strong & Flexible family. We have also made updates to the design guidelines, pricing, and lead time.

Testing bracelets printed in HP Nylon Plastic

USES
Due to its superior mechanical properties, we recommend HP Nylon Plastic for functional products that require high strength, stiffness, elongation, and isotropic properties, such as RC cars, mechanical, and casing parts. If you’re not sure if HP Nylon Plastic is the right material for your project, see the comparison chart of functional plastics below.

WHAT’S NEXT
In the near future, we plan to make HP Nylon Plastic available for Shop Owners to offer as well. But first, we’ll need your feedback on the material. What has worked for your own models? What are things to watch out for, or unexpected uses for the material? With your help, we’ll soon be able to offer HP Nylon Plastic to all marketplace shoppers.

We’re grateful for your feedback and ingenuity as we continue to develop new technologies together. We can’t wait to see what you make with HP Nylon Plastic! Upload your design here.

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