In Increasing Your Production Power: Additive Manufacturing with EOS & Shapeways, the long-standing manufacturing partners and industry leaders outline the features of EOS materials, along with identifying the main benefits in developing products for additive manufacturing.

1. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is More Powerful than Ever

Relying on SLS 3D printing, EOS harnesses the power of powder-based technology targeted by lasers to solidify nylon particles, layer by layer, into the desired structure. Most SLS printers are large, and capable of printing an average of 500 to 1000 parts in a single build.

Most builds are made up of thousands of layers, resulting in detailed parts with intricate features. Shapeways uses popular nylon thermoplastics like Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] in partnership with EOS, along with other materials that according to Cary Baur, Senior Manager-Polymer Technology at EOS, are fairly common engineering plastics which translate well to other applications—including those that are also being used in traditional manufacturing methods like molding or machining.

One layer at a time is recoated at roughly 100 to 120 micron layers. Each layer of powder is deposited and then heated to just below the melting point.

“We use a directed laser in select areas to melt the materials and create the geometries that we want,” said Baur. “Essentially, we print in a two-dimensional method, but we do that in consecutive layers in the sense that we are building up a three-dimensional object. What this really does in terms of creating value is that it allows you to take a digital file and implement it in a way that gives you a huge design toolbox.”

2. Design Freedom is Huge

Freedom in design is boundless with SLS 3D printing. Supports are not required for this powder-based technology due to the bolstering effect of all the unsintered powder bunching up around parts during printing, stabilizing them throughout the process. This means that engineers don’t have to worry about factoring in support structures to the design process, and even better, production specialists don’t have to worry about fitting them in intricately to the print build—or risk the possibility of damaging parts during post-processing as supports are removed.

“We can 3D print lightweight parts that previously were very bulky because we couldn’t make custom lattices like we can now,” said Baur. “Now we can take those, reduce the mass dramatically, and also reduce material inputs.”

“There’s parts we used to have to machine and mold separately and assemble via different processes that all require more time and cost. Given our design freedom, now we can look at the process differently and design components to fit in with each other during printing.”

Complex parts can be made with better tolerances, greater efficiency, and may include dynamic, moving parts too.

3. The 3D Printing Journey Extends from the Concept to Reality

At the customer level, design begins with developing products for a specific application. After that, Shapeways is responsible for understanding the customer’s needs, revving up production, and providing solutions to scale for other manufacturers.

With the ability to eliminate tooling, 3D printing offers better cost optimization. Along with that comes great efficiency in the use of resources—namely, materials—as less are used in additive manufacturing as compared to subtractive, and much powder can be recycled in each build. Assemblies can be reduced in many cases, allowing for embedded functionality, and the ability to produce large parts all in one piece—meaning that quality and speed are improved, and there is also much less chance for error during production.

This is especially true during product development when many changes are continuing to take place. Projects are turned around swiftly, especially with the potential for quick feedback on virtual or tangible models, as well as haptic feedback.

“In comparison to the speed in 3D printing which takes hours or a few days, it can take months to create molds for traditional methods like injection molding,” mentioned Steve Weart, Director of Customer Success at Shapeways. “The time involved in production really adds up too if one or more changes need to be made.”

“Additive manufacturing makes more and more sense, especially in terms of being environmentally friendly. If we can make something locally, it really changes the game too.”

Shapeways customers are able to cater to the growing trend in demands from consumers for customized fit and customized treatment, whether in fashion or critical applications like medicine.

4. Low- to Medium-Volume Production Yields Great Efficiency

On demand 3D printing is a revolutionary concept, and one that is quickly gaining appeal and traction. With the ability to send Shapeways digital files and then set up customized 3D printing as needed whether for one part, low-batch production, or even mass production of parts, customers are able to avoid spending precious capital in buying their own 3D printing equipment and related materials, eliminate the need to keep inventory on hand or pay for warehouse space, and can even enjoy complete product fulfilment, as orders are shipped out directly in customized packaging.

“With a digital twin for parts on file, you can then just have a number of machines on standby ready to print parts on demand to keep company equipment up and running,” said Baur. “There is a very strong business case for converting as many aging parts as possible to digital files, so they are available when needed—and without having these massive warehouses full of aging parts and inventories just sitting there.”

SLS materials and technology are used in a wide range of applications, to include:

• Aerospace
• Consumer goods
• Electronics
• Eyewear
• Footwear
• Medical devices and medical equipment

The automotive industry is a good example of customized products that are in demand for low-volume production—especially for luxury cars where there may be a target audience for complex interior parts that can be made much faster and more economically than with a traditional method like injection molding. For many different parts, weight can be reduced enormously, saving economically and in efficiency.   

Medical devices like orthotics can also be made much more accurately for fit and functionality. Shape and density are improved with 3D printed products, with specific pressure-point areas and insoles that are designed for the weight and mass profile of the wearer. Performance is better, and customers are much less self-conscious due to more aesthetically pleasing choices. Being able to make a lightweight product is extremely important for orthotics too.

5. Customer Demand Drives Ongoing Product Improvement

Currently, Shapeways offers Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic], Thermoplastic Urethane (TPU), and PA11. These materials are designed to offer flexibility in options for 3D printing, excellence in material properties, and ease in quality control and production.  

“Nylon 12 is our highest-volume material on the market right now,” said Baur. “Nylon 11 also is very popular for applications that require more dynamic mechanical strain and more compliance.”

“A large part of our business is helping to identify the needs of our customers specific to an application,” said Baur. “If we don’t have a current material that meets customer needs, we often can make it, and often we will help enable our customers by working with Shapeways to then look at a material and a production process, with Shapeways filling the production need with the EOS material.”

About Shapeways

Contact Shapeways now to enjoy the benefits of advanced technology and materials for 3D printing with accuracy, complex detail, and no limits in terms of mass customization or single part orders. Shapeways has worked with over 1 million customers in 160 countries to make over 21 million parts! Read about case studies, find out more about Shapeways solutions, and get instant quotes here.

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From milling to mashing, and from boiling to fermenting, home brewing means putting weeks of time and care into unique, quality beverages. High-performance tools make all the difference, and this is how Tilt Hydrometers came to be—co-founded by long-time brewer and CEO, Noah Neibaron.

It is easy to see that beer branding has become much more sophisticated, even for those who aren’t imbibing. The choices today are bold and boundless, featuring robust taste, flashy names, and eye-catching labels. Selections are continually expanded at high-end grocery stores, bar menus are loaded with choices for savvy beer drinkers, and a thriving market has opened up on the home-brewing scene too.

The process of making craft beer means going back to the basics of brewing, with less mechanization and mass production. There is much more to the process of brewing at home than novices may realize. Success lies in owning the proper tools, and knowing how to monitor and measure—especially during fermentation. Noah Neibaron learned by trial-and-error years ago as a beginner in home brewing, quickly realizing that a better device was needed to measure sugar levels.

Noah’s goal was to found a company centered around making quality products to help others brew really good beer.

“I ended up learning a lot about technology,” said Noah. “I was passionate about brewing and I really wanted the business to take off.”

“Shapeways was a large part of that. They were really great with fast service, quality, and the range of colors which actually ended up affecting our whole product line because we now make eight different colored 3D printed tilts—and those are the colors Shapeways sells.”

Noah began the process of creating his now patented free-floating hydrometer by using a rudimentary 3D design software program. Originally, he was relying on plastic milling for manufacturing test models, but quickly realized the process was far too slow and expensive in comparison to additive manufacturing. Noah continued to expand his design skills, and began working extensively with Shapeways for 3D printed products.

Tilt Hydrometer was originally just planning to sell working prototypes, but as development continued, the design team decided they were ready to produce complete, functional 3D printed devices using Selective Laser Sintering in Nylon 12.

Durability in materials was a huge consideration, especially considering the Tilt may be sitting in beer for many weeks or be subjected to high temperatures during brewing.

“Even it is under stress from flex which keeps it locked into the tube, it doesn’t get stuck in one shape but springs back easily,” said Noah in regard to the hydrometer.

With a general patent on the innovative device, Noah mentions that users in other applications are testing the hydrometer in applications like making salt solutions and keeping salt levels in fish tanks accurate. The hydrometer is a very sensitive measuring tool; for example, it can measure less than half a teaspoon of sugar in a quart of water.

The Tilt Hydrometer customer base is very healthy, and Noah attributes this to the adoption of technologies well-suited to the product—along with serious dedication in making the best hydrometer possible for home brew.

Check out the full case study here.

Industrial 3D printing services from Shapeways allow you to reap the rewards of high-performance, quality materials without having to invest all your business capital in the powerful hardware, software, and materials required for your build. Read about case studies, find out more about our solutions, and get instant quotes here.

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Working with Shapeways to 3D print dozens (and dozens and dozens) of designs to reach the ideal sound system, the SNOOZ team cut substantial time and costs in their production process by rapidly prototyping. The savings over traditional machining was major enough that this Las Vegas-based startup has now been working with Shapeways for more than five years — and still has more product work with us in the pipeline for the next devices.

We interviewed SNOOZ CTO and Co-Founder Eli Lazar to dig into how SNOOZ utilized Shapeways’ 3D printing technology and services to make a new product possible.

Having parts machined was always an option too, but from our experience, that is 10-25x higher cost [than 3D printing], and perhaps 10x slower, which was just not an option for us.

Eli begins by laying out the big picture:

“The Shapeways printing service has really been instrumental to the success of our product and company. Our product is a specialized fan for sleeping, and in the quiet of a bedroom you can literally hear every frequency, so any unwanted tones people will pick up right away. We used Shapeways to print probably 100+ variations of our product to perfect the acoustics and create our signature sound.

As a result, by the end of this year we will have sold nearly 100k units, and we have a 4.7 star rating on Amazon (without manipulation) with nearly 1,500 reviews. SNOOZ is also used in nearly 2,000 hotel rooms across the country as well. 

To be very direct, without having access to the Shapeways printing service our product would not have been nearly as good as it is today, or perhaps, not a success at all. Shapeways gave just two average guys with very limited finances access to world class rapid prototyping at an affordable price. That has really made the difference in our product and the reviews we have received. In fact, we found the precision from Shapeways prints to be so good that when we machined our actual plastic molds for production, we didn’t have to do any changes and were able to go to production much faster and at a lower cost. We also have two new products coming out this year, both of which have been prototyped on Shapeways, and we have started on developing a new product which will be using Shapeways again for.”

At the beginning, how did you come to the decision to use 3D printing instead of other manufacturing methods?

“Without 3D printing, I am not sure we could have ever developed a viable product, or at least one that people actually liked. Our fan blade is entirely custom, and small details make a huge difference. A 1-degree extra twist in the blades or 1mm extra length or width of the blades, and it generates a whole different set of tones. You can use software to simulate the acoustics for a fan blade design, and we did do quite a bit of this. However, these simulations can take up to a few weeks to run, and they are really not accurate enough to predict the subtleties that we were interested in. The best way I can explain this is that a stringed piano is always acoustically superior to a digital keyboard, because the timbre (perceived sound quality) of real sound is just better than any digital replica. With that said, we had to make actual parts. Having parts machined was always an option too, but from our experience, that is 10-25x higher cost, and perhaps 10x slower, which was just not an option for us.”

Did you already have technical knowledge in 3D printing? If not, was there a learning curve to getting into this technology?

“We didn’t have any prior experience with 3D printing before SNOOZ. It was actually for this reason that I was drawn to the Shapeways website. A lot of other 3D printing services seemed to put the burden of getting the print right more on the user. When we first started using Shapeways in 2015, I think you were the only online platform where you could instantly get your 3D CAD analyzed for printing with a quoted price. Even still, I think Shapeways has the most user friendly website for 3D printing. The only learning curve was figuring out what tolerances to use so parts could snap together well. However, since I found Shapeways prints to be repeatable and accurate to the CAD, every time, it became pretty easy. I actually use the same tolerances we figured out worked in 2015 to this day, and that is nearly a five year span.”

What material(s) do you print in and why?

“We have printed in SLA, Versatile Plastic (Nylon), and PLA (which you guys offered shortly). However, Versatile Plastic is our preferred choice for prototyping. The main reason is the strength of the parts. We actually produce some parts out of Nylon and the strength and flexibility of a 3D printed part is definitely on par with a Nylon molded part that comes out of an industrial factory.”

Are you able to share any quantifiable metrics on the time and/or cost you’ve saved by prototyping with Shapeways?

“I found an early quote to machine a single part for $381 that we eventually ended up just 3D printing with Shapeways for about $30. Since then, we have printed over 100 parts, so the savings has literally made the difference in us being able to afford to start SNOOZ. Also, in terms of timing, it is absolutely incredible to be able to design a part on Monday and have it in your hand within a week or so. If the legendary inventors of the past had access to this technology, the world would be a vastly different place today.”

By rapid prototyping with 3D printing, the SNOOZ team was able to test out more than 100 designs to find their perfect acoustic fit — and then translate the final prototype directly into scale production. The ease with which SNOOZ put the pieces together, at a literal fraction of the cost of traditional machining, highlights the effectiveness of 3D printing throughout the product development cycle. And today? We’re SNOOZ’s biggest fans!

Find out how Shapeways can help with your rapid prototyping needs today.

The post The World’s Best Sleep Fan Is A Fan Of 3D Printing: Rapid Prototyping With SNOOZ appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

What started out as an exploration into the flexible properties of different materials soon became a revolutionary product for Boston-based industrial designer Evan Gant. His design, the Twist Light, is a pendant light that transforms to adjust the brightness with a simple twist. At the start of his design process, Gant was making prototypes simply out of paper towel rolls. Then, seeing the product’s potential, he moved into using 3D printing to prototype the Twist Light.

“I started out trying to find a way to get some of my ideas out of my sketchbook and into a physical form,” Gant told Shapeways. “My first project was a printed ring for my wife as an anniversary present. Then I made a few items to use around the house before I decided to start selling some of my projects.”

From Paper Towel Rolls to 3D Printing

While using paper towel rolls was of help in the very beginning stages of the design process, Gant has now seen the many benefits to prototyping with 3D printing. In fact, he notes that using companies like Shapeways over traditional manufacturing methods — like injection molding — has proved to have many more benefits than expected.

Array by OliveBird

“It gives me an opportunity to try ideas out and get them in people’s hands rather than committing to a larger scale production. I also love that I can test out people’s interest in an idea and see what feedback I get from selling/sharing the ideas. It is very easy to make changes, or even scrap the idea and move on without feeling like I am too invested. My favorite part of the design process is iterating and seeing the reaction to ideas. In a traditional process (like injection molding), a large portion of your time is spent optimizing from a mold, finding a vender that will make you parts, doing quality control, etc. You often need to make a lot of compromises to your design in the end.”

Choosing 3D Printing Over Desktop Printing

On the flip side, Gant notes the benefits of using Shapeways over other 3D printing methods like desktop printing, saying, “I love having access to the variety of printing methods. I can switch between materials, colors build volumes, etc. If I had a home machine, I would have to stock the materials, maintain the machine and probably deal with a small build volume, or have a very expensive machine. Also, most of the affordable home machines are FDM, which is a great process but has limitations in terms of surface finish and level of detail.”

Twist by OliveBird

The Twist Light is now in its 4th iteration and only getting better. Gant explains the constant need for it to be dimensionally accurate, as well as for it to have good aesthetics.

“Given that I would like to sell the ideas with no secondary finishes, I need the parts to look good when they come out of the printer, which is why I really like the durable and flexible plastics. It is cleaner than an FDM while being flexible and durable (obviously), and the cost per square inch is reasonable.”

As he moves forward with his product, Gant is excited to see it come to fruition. He applauds Shapeways for our customer service and low costs, among other benefits.

“I think that Shapeways is a very customer friendly service, easy to understand the costs and build limitations. The best part for me is the ease of which I can turn ideas around into something I can sell, which I can use to fund my next project. I have appreciated Shapeways sharing my projects in the past and driving more sales.”

Interested in 3D Printing for Your Business?

Interested in manufacturing with 3D printing? Contact us to learn about all the ways Shapeways can aid your business.

The post Twist Light Reinvents the Lighting Industry appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Jewelry producers have been putting incredible results on our fingers, on our necks, and around our wrists. And within this powerhouse industry, 3D printing has already established a strong foothold.

So what can you expect when you implement 3D printing in jewelry making?

Why 3D Printing Might Be Good for Your Business

Traditional jewelry operations alone are no longer enough to meet the changing needs of evolving consumer tastes. Those who work with 3D printed jewelry are helping to respond to a shift in consumption, where creativity and personalization are valued above mass produced accessories.

1. Enhanced Creativity

One of the benefits of 3D printed jewelry is increased flexibility and creativity to try out new designs, patterns, and textures. Not only can you make larger designs, but you can also create multiple versions of an individual piece. This technology opens up a world of options when the constraints of traditional mold creation is removed.

2. Provide Personalization

3D printing allows for a higher level of connection with your clients, allowing you to better understand their needs and, in a matter of hours, enabling you to show renders of 3D models for instant feedback. This tactile experience brings the piece to the customer in real time, making the experience much more hands-on than merely seeing an image on a screen.

You can also easily add personal touches to 3D printed jewelry like engraving, or modify existing designs to the customer’s preference for a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

3. Streamline Processes

3D technology allows you to create custom jewelry quickly, often in a matter of days, which is a huge advantage over traditional jewelry making that can take weeks.

3D printing also allows the client a more hands-on approach to creating jewelry, as you can make multiple changes to get the piece just right, at minimal cost. 3D iterations let you check for accuracy and allow you to finalize every aspect before casting, giving the client exactly what they want.

4. Forget About Production

3D printing services like Shapeways take care of producing the jewelry once you create the 3D file, which greatly minimizes your worries over production.

5. Attention to Detail

Lastly, this technology allows you to attain a high level of detail in jewelry making when the same may not be achievable when pieces are crafted by hand.

This technology has carved a place for itself in the jewelry industry, and those who learn how to utilize it can take advantage in creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art.

See Examples

Check out our interviews with jewelry business owners that use 3D printing to push creative limits. Meet Jorge Rojas, who creates “containers of emotion” in his jewelry collection marrying organic forms, shapes and elements; and Ola Shekhtman, whose love of architecture and travel inspired her to create her Cityscape Ring Collection.

Upload Your File

Ready to get started with your own jewelry line? Upload a file now and let us help print your first product.

Grow Your Business

Learn how you can utilize 3D printing to expand the manufacturing capabilities of your business.

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Ola Shekhtman, 3D designer and owner of Wearable Cityscapes

Meet Ola Shekhtman

Ola Shekhtman is a 3D designer, jewelry maker, and avid traveler who uses 3D printing to realize her most worldly ambitions. After learning jewelry making in Saint Petersburg and 3D modeling in New York, Shekhtman now utilizes the freedom afforded to her by 3D printing to manufacture and sell her designs from anywhere on Earth with a Wi-Fi hookup. Since conceiving of her Cityscape collection, Shekhtman has called the U.S., Israel, and then Canada her home, and is currently based in Berlin, for now.

“Traveling is my powerful engine and my high quality fuel is feedback from my customers,” says Shekhtman. “Every day I receive messages with stories what Cityscape Rings mean for people, and I am very thankful to each of my customer who shares touching story with me. It gives my work great meaning.”

Shekhtman’s rings retail on Etsy, Shopify, and Uncommon Goods, as well as on the Shapeways Marketplace. Soon, Shekhtman hopes to have them retail in museums and galleries, and in brick and mortar shops.

Inspiration and Process

The Cityscape ring collection was born from Ola Shekhtman’s love of architecture and travel. At home after a trip to France, Shekhtman was searching for something special to keep the memories of her travels close at hand. She imagined wrapping the iconic landmarks of Paris around her finger and wearing them as jewelry. Finding nothing like her vision on the market, Shekhtman decided to try her hand at creating the keepsake herself.

Paris Ring, Made by Wearable Cityscapes

It took Shekhtman about six months to create her first Cityscape design, the Paris ring. She placed an order with Shapeways, and in two weeks, a prototype arrived at her desk. Delighted by the beauty and wearability of her design, and realizing that the concept she had created had potential to spark joy for people other than herself, Shekhtman posted photos of the Paris ring to social media. Within a couple of months she received her first custom order, from a client wanting a ring for his wife on their ten-year wedding anniversary, honoring Edinburgh, the city where they had wed. Says Shekhtman, “The process of 3D modeling the Edinburgh ring absorbed me for 3 weeks. But it was worth it. The client was delighted by the ring and I gained confidence that I can provide people with something to keep their warm memories about special events that happened in particular places.”

Edinburgh Ring, Made by Wearable Cityscapes

Now, it takes Shekhtman only 12 to 15 hours to 3D model a new ring. For each new city she renders in ring form, Shekhtman first studies the architecture and chooses the best buildings to model, based on their relevance to the city’s culture, and how well they will translate onto a ring. Then, she 3D models each building in careful proportion. For rings of different sizes, Shekhtman will add or remove buildings rather than stretch or squeeze the design so as to maintain maximum recognizability. Once she has her design fully rendered in 3D modeling software, she submits an order to Shapeways, and two weeks later she is able to try on her new design.

Shekhtman x Shapeways

Shekhtman is a trained goldsmith, and though she sometimes misses handcrafting her jewelry designs, she says of 3D printing, “3D gives me three kinds of freedom: 1. Geographic freedom. I can live where I want and travel all year long, and the only tool I need to have with me is my laptop. 2. Freedom of creativity. Details rule! Customers adore buildings with columns and tiny statues, which I create in 3D software. It is tricky to pierce windows [by hand] and 3D lets me make it easily. And, 3. Freedom of time – To make 1000 rings by hand I would spend nearly 100 years. Shapeways can produce this amount in 2-3 weeks. Using 3D modeling I can make a city once and it is available to order in any quantity, forever, which frees me up for new designs.”

Indeed, since the collection’s inception in 2015, Shekhtman has sold over 6,000 Cityscape Rings—an impossible achievement were she making each ring by hand. Of her shop on the Shapeways Marketplace, Shekhtman says, “It is my first passive income. All I need to do is upload models, photos of real products from different views, and detailed descriptions to help potential customers make a purchase.”

The post The World at Your Fingertips: Ola Shekhtman’s Cityscape Ring Collection appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

In your shoes, in your car

It’s everywhere! Mass-manufactured 3D printed products are finally getting into customer hands… or onto their feet and into their garages. That’s because adidas’ long-anticipated Futurecraft 4D shoes with 3D printed midsoles finally dropped this week. And MINI announced that in 2018, customers can personalize their rides through the new MINI Yours Customized program. Hopefully, this will show everyone what we already know: that 3D printing CAN MAKE (almost) ANYTHING.

Carbon tech, adidas hype

The Greatest Show on Earth (but not the only show in town)

CES is paradise for geeks, futurists, audiophiles, 3D designers — basically, anyone who is really into any technologies available to consumers. That’s why it’s a good place to spot the kind of 3D technology that could one day (soonish) be in your house. There were a couple of standouts at this year’s CES, which ended last Friday: Ethereal Machines’ “5D printing,” a 5-axis 3D printer with a rotating build plate, and the HP Z 3D Camera, which turns an easily-mountable camera into a scanner and facial-recognition tool. Some very cool news also came from outside the consumersphere: Another rotating 3D printer part, this time the printhead, was demonstrated by Harvard researchers to increase the strength, stiffness, and resistance of 3D printed parts. And in another leap forward for really, really big 3D printers, a new printer from CEAD is already contracted to print ships. We’ll see that one in action at CES 2030.

The HP Z 3D Camera (source)

Breathe easy and break a leg

It might not solve all our problems, but I mean, 3D printing can now print structures that could regrow lung and brain tissue, plus titanium bone replacement meshes that are often better than bone grafts. It’s not a license to live dangerously, but it might just be there for us when we inevitably do.

3D Print Your Medical Needs

Learn how you can utilize 3D printing for medical use. Contact us today to let us know how we can help.

The post The Week in 3D Printing: Kicks and Cars, New Tech Alert, and Medical Miracles appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

While the overall 3D printing industry largely focuses on enterprises and industrial uses, Shapeways exists to take the power of that innovation and put it in the hands of people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to it. Unlike the early consumer 3D printing industry that focused on desktop printers, we created a service business model that enables creators to access the best and most innovative technologies without constantly buying new machines themselves.

EOS has been a key partner, providing the most innovative technology for selective laser sintering (SLS), or powder bed infusion. The company is the leading machine manufacturer and materials supplier for SLS industrial 3D printing, which is known for having the best repeatable quality result — key to serving our million-strong community of creators. EOS also gives Shapeways a competitive advantage beyond quality and consistency: access to material parameters unavailable from other technologies — in any color, size, or repeatable dimensional accuracy. The powder bed acts as a natural support structure for parts, enabling geometries that are difficult to print with stereolithography and fused filament fabrication. And quite simply, it is one of the most forgiving materials processes as the world of 3D creators rapidly expands – with versatility for tech accessories, jewelry, eyewear, scaled models, fixture, mechanical parts, and more.

Our factories house 19 industrial-sized EOS 3D systems that print thousands of products at once, running 24/7. With roughly 200,000 unique designs uploaded each month, we’re pioneering high-mix, high volume production.

As Adam Penna, EOS Sales and Marketing Lead put it, “We have supported Shapeways since its early days and we’re listening closely to them as a customer and to their community for improvement of processes involved in the digital value chain related to industrialized production as well as innovation on what’s next.” At 5 million products printed, we and EOS are celebrating the milestone — and then getting back to work building the accessible 3D printing service of the future.

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