Names and descriptors associated with aircraft and technology like drones abound. From aerospace to aeronautics and from aviation electronics technology to autonomous urban aircraft, drones go by a variety of other monikers too: unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), human-controlled devices, 3D printed quadcopters, hexacopters, and more. Drones also offer vast new perspectives on the Earth’s terrain, opening up new ways to handle projects and missions globally, as well as within busy cityscapes and more provincial areas. 

Humankind may have exhibited an ongoing obsession with the idea of being able to fly, but now we also have the capacity to let machines do some of the work and the flying without us from above, improving life below. With industrial drones, the focus is less on soaring through the clouds to while away the time, and more on expanding productivity like never before.

3D Printed Drone Systems Take on the Difficult Assignments

When the sky really is the limit, people tend to get excited; after all, there is a sense of exhilaration in seeing technology of the future come to fruition, suddenly accessible and affordable. This goes for both 3D printing and drones.

While regulations may be having some impact, drones seem to be evolving at a rate far more sophisticated and accelerated than rulemakers can keep pace with. And in the meantime, large organizations, businesses, and enthusiasts seem to have little trouble embracing the use of drones; after all, the door is wide open to countless opportunities, especially with the capacity to use new methods for gaining valuable information, and the new ability to take action in places that humans may not normally be able to access.

Both semi-autonomous and completely autonomous drones are already in use for a variety of applications, although initial concepts like delivery of consumer goods may still be stalling in comparison to use in the following areas:

• Construction – Because drones can reach building projects from above rather than just on theground, they bring a whole new approach to creating new infrastructure and assisting in reaching architectural structures at elevated heights.

• Delivery – The transport concept is particularly exciting not only because consumers love the idea of retail products being dropped right on their front lawns, but also because critical items can be delivered to hospitals, labs, and businesses too.

• Disaster recovery – This is an incredibly useful service drones are able to offer humankind, as they have the ability to go into areas where humans cannot or should not. This is especially true after a disaster, and in fact, it may be impossible to transport water, medicine, or various other types of aid into certain areas without the help of drones. 

• Military – While much of the military’s use of drones is kept ‘under the radar,’ the technology is known to be used for defense, especially in terms of surveillance and gathering of intelligence. It’s also no secret that the military has been engaged in the use of 3D printing for longer than most people realize, drawn to the technology due to the level of customization possible, and the ability to make and maintain parts in the field.

• Surveying – It’s impossible to compete with the aerial perspective afforded by drones, making them highly suited to applications requiring mapping and surveying, as well as covering large areas of land like farms that may require scanning, monitoring, and inspecting. In terms of real estate, sales and marketing efforts can be substantially expanded with features like interactive 3D showcasing of properties and of course, aerial footage.

Customization and Optimization for Industrial Applications

With the ability to bypass street traffic and cover short distances quickly while equipped with cameras, video equipment, and varying payloads, it’s obvious that drones will soon become necessary to chipping away at the endless list of tasks humans need help in completing. Undeniably useful in playing a role for taking on skyward duties within both the public and private sectors, features and functions continue to grow for drone technology, along with the advanced materials and technology used to make them.

Technology like 3D printing offers even greater opportunity and freedom in design, along with fast prototyping and turnaround of end-use parts. At Shapeways, customers rely on a variety of resources for drone applications, depending on their exact needs. Most 3D printed drones share the same two requirements initially: they must be lightweight, and they must be fast. Whether rapid prototyping or manufacturing end-use parts, Shapeways offers materials for 3D printing drones, to include:

Aluminum – Offering the strength of metal for 3D printed drone frames and parts, this material is recommended for high-performance components. Aluminum is lightweight, yet offers the toughness and durability necessary to survive air travel, as well as holding up during any unfortunate collisions while traveling. 

Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] – Used in a wide range of industrial applications, Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] is known for the ability to offer flexibility for thinner structures, yet great rigidity for thicker parts. Large-scale 3D printed drone parts can be manufactured with this material via Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), whether for prototypes or end-use parts.

Multi Jet Fusion PA12 – Superior in terms of strong yet lightweight material, along with excellent mechanical properties, MJF PA12 continues to be popular for drones of all types, including those with intricate details. 

Nylon 11 [PA11(SLS)] – This material offers some of the same benefits as Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] in terms of flexibility and suitability for interlocking parts in 3D printed drone designs; however, Nylon 11 [PA11(SLS)] is also versatile for high-performance applications like drones and aerospace overall, featuring high ductility and resistance to impact.

Depending on the type of drone, technology like Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), or Binder Jetting may be used.  

Shapeways Customers Excel with 3D Printed Drone Systems

Companies like Munich-based Quantum-Systems have relied on Shapeways for 3D printed drone parts since the inception of their company which specializes in the development and production of automatic, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) fixed-wing drones. Featured as a prime example of the incredible impacts drones are making in applications like delivery and medical simultaneously, Quantum-Systems showed the exponential difference in time when their Trinity F90+ drone transported medical samples to labs. Compared to travel via courier in street traffic which could take an hour or much more, the Trinity F90+ delivered test samples in just seven minutes. These benefits could easily translate to delivery of medications and other items carried within the drone’s transport box.

Menlo Park, California-based Kespry sought out Shapeways for 3D printed drone parts due to scalability, speed, and reliability. The collaboration began before Kespry even had their first customer, and as volume has increased, the transition to 3D printing at higher volumes has been seamless. Demand quickly grew for the Kespry lightweight, autonomous drone systems, capable of surveying and mapping out hundreds of acres within just a couple of hours. 

To enjoy exploration of the skies in uninterrupted, unpiloted flight, high-quality manufacturing with the ability to customize and optimize drones depending on the business solution is key. Drone technology isn’t a novelty at this point anymore, and neither is its intersection with 3D printing; what is impressive, however, is the rate at which both technologies are accelerating in terms of industrial manufacturing–and complementing one another in the process.

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 3D Printed Drones for Industrial Applications: New Perspective for Higher Productivity appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

3D printing enthusiasts are usually eager to find out what Shapeways is offering in the materials lineup, and especially for 3D printing with metal. The demand for manufacturing with materials like aluminum continues at a rapid pace too, as other companies work harder to offer new services to their own customers. Working smarter–and manufacturing smarter–often intuitively means outsourcing metal additive manufacturing to the experts at Shapeways.

AlSi10Mg Provides Unique Features for 3D Printing

Shapeways offers AlSi10Mg for 3D printing with selective laser melting (SLM). A blend of aluminum, silicon, and magnesium, AlSi10Mg is used to make strong, highly functional parts and prototypes which help speed product development and enhance performance. 

While this metal may lack the superior strength of steel or titanium, aluminum is popular for parts requiring resistance to corrosion, as well as thinner walls within the geometry–something that can be a challenge to find in additive manufacturing. AlSi10Mg offers resistance to temperature as well as high pressure, and is suitable for products requiring high strength and accuracy.

There are also small amounts of iron included in this aluminum alloy, but it is the silicon levels which strengthen AlSi10Mg beyond use of the pure metal itself. Corrosion resistance occurs because of the oxide layer which forms on the surface of the material naturally. AlSi10Mg is also skin-friendly and heatproof to 570c/1058f.

Other material properties include:

• Good strength to mass ratio.
• Low density, which allows for the production of very strong, but lightweight parts.
• High thermal conductivity, useful for 3D printing parts like heat exchangers for many engineering applications.
• Very high electrical conductivity, useful for parts like electric wires used in power applications.

Shapeways offers this metal in a standard finish only.

How Selective Laser Melting Works

At Shapeways, SLM technology makes it possible to 3D print strong metal parts rapidly, and without tooling. Aluminum alloys like AlSi10Mg allow for the stiffness, accuracy, and high thermal conductivity required for functional parts and tools.

Selective laser melting (SLM) is known for its origins in the mid-90s, created along with other methods of powder-bed fusion at the Fraunhofer Institute ILT in Germany during a major research project. SLM is a subcategory of laser powder-bed fusion technology, which also encompasses 3D printing with thermoplastics; here, however, metal 3D printing with SLM uses a laser to completely melt each layer above the melting point rather than just taking it to the minimal point where particles are fused. And while heat may be distributed more evenly in comparable technologies like electron beam melting (EBM) where high temperatures are used in a vacuum atmosphere, surfaces are generally rougher and accuracy is decreased.

Laser bed fusion technology is somewhat akin to that of welding, as metal particles are melted and fused together–and in fact, this method is often referred to as ‘laser welding.’ 

“Metal – Laser Powder Bed Fusion is a mature technology, that has been used in many end-use applications within Aerospace to Medical industries” said Thomas Murphy, Senior Product Manager, Physical Products at Shapeways, in explaining why so many OEM’s still rely on that method for metal 3D printing today.

SLM offers a host of great benefits, to include:

• The ability to work with a variety of 3D printing metals, including aluminum, that offer high density.
• A highly efficient process that uses less energy and less material resources in comparison to traditional manufacturing.
• Quality production of highly complex products with intricate designs.
• Heavy customization to maximize performance in functional parts for critical applications.

It all begins with a digital file as CAD data is translated into a 3D design which is sliced and readied for 3D printing. In the case of aluminum, metal powder particles are dispersed over the build platform and then sintered as a laser provides heat, thus melting the layers together until the final structure is complete. 

Supports Are Required in SLM 3D Printing

Supports are key to protecting parts with intricate features and overhangs from deformation that can occur as a result of internal or residual stress during 3D printing. Depending on how complex the geometry is, there could be a lot of supports used to protect a part from cracking or warping during production. This is especially true for larger metal parts, which may require a much more sophisticated support system too.

“When you sinter that metal powder it actually becomes more dense,” said Murphy. “That material would fall down and you would not be able to sinter the next layer onto it without supports securing the part onto the build plate.”

After parts have been completely cooled, supports are removed in post-processing with compressed air. 

Aluminum is Used in Critical Applications

The ability to 3D print with newer resources like metal means greater opportunity for innovation and manufacturing, as well as more opportunity to expand in a wide range of applications. This also means that designers and engineers are able to go forward with products that would have been impossible to manufacture using conventional methods–looking toward aluminum and the opportunity to print a very solid structure that can also be very flexible and offer great features like thermal properties too.

SLM 3D printing with the fine metallic powder derived from AlSi10Mg is extremely valuable for applications like:

• Functional automotive and railway parts and prototypes
• Aerospace parts
• Drone technology
• Bicycle parts
• Tools and fixtures
•  Structural components

Innovative or redesigned components can be 3D printed in metal for applications like aerospace, improving turbines with new parts installed in larger assemblies for improved performance–harkening back to one of the greatest advantages in 3D printing overall: the power to make parts that would not have been possible previously.

3D printing with metal and other materials like aluminum is also paving the way for companies involved in automotive and railways to rebuild and make obsolete parts, and to keep spare-part inventories as needed; for example, an older vehicle or a train that is being restored, fixed, or just maintained may need a part replaced that is impossible to find because no one sells them anymore. With a quick 3D scan, that part can be replicated in 3D print. It is even possible to make additional improvements and customizations, along with numerous iterations to ensure the perfect fit.

Spare parts can also be kept for an on-demand basis, offering the potential to revolutionize how parts are kept and warehoused. Rather than collecting dust on shelves and eventually becoming obsolete themselves, parts can be stored on digital files and 3D printed as needed. 

Metal 3D Printing Continues to Accelerate

Understanding the technology is key, especially when it comes to 3D printing with metal. As accelerated market opportunities abound, many different types of materials, hardware, and technologies are becoming available. In metal 3D printing along with SLM, this also includes a variety of other technologies like electron beam melting (EBM), fused deposition modeling (FDM), material jetting, and binder jetting. Shapeways does also offer 3D printing with other metal materials via binder jetting, as well as metal casting for applications like fine jewelry too.

Placing metal 3D printing in the spotlight, Grand View Research shows that the 3D printing metal market size is expected to reach USD 2.36 billion by 2028, expanding at a CAGR of 25.7% over the forecast period.

“Market growth is attributable to the cost-effectiveness of 3D printed parts, reduced lead times, and the development of complex parts during production,” they state. 

And while speed and savings on the bottom line are factored in as some of the most motivating benefits, high costs associated with 3D printing setup still cannot be overlooked for businesses hoping to save precious capital:

“Until very recently, the complexity and high cost of metal 3D printers limited the usage of additive manufacturing to high-volume and low-value parts. SLM and DSLM printer prices start at USD 400,000 and can go beyond USD 1,000,000 and they also require carefully controlled environments and highly skilled workers,” states further data by Grand View Research.

While metal 3D printers–and other printers also–can be extremely expensive, that is part of the beauty in working with Shapeways. Other manufacturers can outsource their 3D printing needs without having to invest in hundreds of thousands of dollars or more in hardware. 

Explore Other Material Options

With over 90 materials and different finishes available, high-quality 3D printing materials are a tremendous source of pride at Shapeways. Great care is taken in choosing all resources, as well as reaching out to new manufacturing partners and suppliers. Each material offering is unique, bearing its own technical specifications too. 

To get the perfect look and feel for any 3D printed part, check out the material options that Shapeways offers. Each material listed notes the available finishing options to ensure that your aesthetic parts look good, and your functional parts perform how you need them to in the end. 

Upload your design and get an instant quote now!

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 solutions, and get instant quotes here. 

The post Metal 3D Printing: An In-Depth Guide to Aluminum appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

• Powerful Material Jetting technology at Shapeways offers extreme accuracy in parts 3D printed with materials like Fine Detail Plastic.
• Options in finishing allow for varying levels of detail in parts.
• Metals like aluminum are highly resistant to corrosion, making these materials appealing for parts exposed to outdoor environments.
• Precious metals can be used to create high-end products like jewelry.

In early 2021, Shapeways marked a great milestone, 3D printing over 21 million parts for over 1 million customers worldwide. This achievement was made possible by our base of incredibly inspiring customers enjoying access to the wide range of resources available at Shapeways, beginning with a long and growing inventory of notable materials.

Fine Detail Plastic

Fine Detail Plastic is one of the most accurate 3D printing materials available. Recommended for highly detailed parts, this material is 3D printed via Material Jetting, a uniquely powerful technology that uses small, multi-nozzle printheads to project resin droplets which are then cured. Parts 3D printed with Fine Detail Plastic are perfect for scale models, miniature figures, jewelry prototypes, master patterns for molds, and other small objects. No matter the finish, Fine Detail Plastic is easy to paint over for adding a splash of color.

MJF Plastic PA12

Shapeways uses HP technology to 3D print strong and functional objects with MJF Plastic PA12, a material highly suited for products like phone cases, camera mounts, and drone parts; however, it is also smooth enough to make jewelry, toys, and home decor. Thick, stiffer objects are less likely to warp with MJF Plastic PA12, available in gray and black. Note: for parts with finer details, black is recommended.

Aluminum

Aluminum is an ideal choice for mechanical and other load-bearing parts. Additionally, because of its high resistance to corrosion, aluminum is perfect for bike accessories and other products routinely exposed to the environment. Designers should take note that sharp edges could get rounded down. And although aluminum does support interlocking parts, this material is not considered accurate enough for complex, interacting parts like screws and nuts.

Full-Color Sandstone

Sandstone is the way to go for economical, multi-colored objects. Well-suited for items like figurines and lifelike 3D printed models, sandstone is produced via binder jetting, a 3D printing technology that uses agents to bind granular particles together layer after layer, using one or more nozzles to build green parts that emerge in a delicate state until cured.

With the matte finish, there is potential for even bolder colors. It is important to note that while finished sandstone products will look amazing sitting on a desk or positioned up on a shelf, they are not recommended for regular handling due to the brittle quality of the material.

Gold and Platinum

Precious metals are available for truly special products. Create gold objects with Shapeways in either 14K (Gold, Rose Gold, or White Gold) or an extra vibrant 18K option. For truly special objects, materials like Platinum are available too.

Casting with metal 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. This unique process is perfect for creating extra special pieces like rings, earrings, and other small jewelry items.

For a unique look with other metals, explore materials like Steel with a bronzed-steel finish, used as a rustic finish for industrial chic pieces—or Silver with an antique finish, creating a dramatic look for popular styles like steampunk.

Other Materials

Successful product development, printability, and manufacturing are heavily dependent on making the right choices in terms of materials, which is why Shapeways has continued to expand options for customers with different materials and finishes—from nylon plastics to premium metals. In choosing the proper materials for a specific 3D model, it is critical to consider whether a product will be an exclusive piece or a versatile design that can be manufactured in a variety of textures and colors in higher volumes.

 Explore the full Shapeways material portfolio here.  

About Shapeways

Enjoy the benefits of 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 solutions, and get instant quotes here.  

The post Outstanding 3D Printing Materials Enhance Product Design and Development appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

3D Printing Steel with Binder Jetting

As metal 3D printing matures, Binder Jetting is a popular technology for manufacturing high-performance parts—and is predominantly used by Shapeways manufacturing partner, ExOne. In line with the Shapeways ongoing dedication to sourcing other third-party materials too, it is important to note that ExOne, founded in 1995, also has extensive experience in 3D printing with materials like ceramic and even sand.

“Around the same time we started working with Shapeways, we also transitioned into using stainless steel,” said Brandon Cary, Technical Sales Manager at ExOne. “There’s a lot of focus on automotive, and we touch a lot on the industrial markets like aerospace, and defense too. We are transitioning heavily into medical as well today, and have always been very successful in architecture, as well as consumer-based lines, along with areas like jewelry too.”

“The direct metal business is aggressively growing as additive manufacturing grows in the world.”

ExOne Metal 3D Printers

For metal 3D printed parts from Shapeways, binder jetting is performed with the M-Flex and X1 25Pro, both of which are capable of printing with metal powder. An adhesive, or binding agent, re-coats and saturates the build plate of the printer, layer by layer, building the solid 3D printed structure.

Metal 3D printed parts are cured, and then de-powdered in post-processing. Afterward, parts are put through a thermal, sintering operation. Variables are present dependent on the material; for example, in using Steel, there is less shrinkage due to the combination with bronze. Support materials are not required during printing with either of the metal 3D printers, because surrounding powder acts as a stabilizing force. Supports may be needed during the sintering process though, with materials like aluminum grit.  

Sustainability and Efficiency in Production

A large percentage of the metal powder is recycled, adding considerable sustainability to the process. The 3D printed metal parts only make up seven to ten percent of each build, meaning that all the remaining powder can be sifted and reintroduced with virgin powder. Binders are recycled during 3D printing with metal in binder jetting too.

Both the M-Flex and X1 25Pro are used to 3D print metal powders, but the M-Flex is equipped with an ACT system for advanced compaction in printing fine powders down to 15 micron powders, while the X1 25Pro prints down to 5 microns and is also part of a beta program for Stainless Steel 316L—currently being 3D printed mainly on the M-Flex.

“Detail on a component is driven by the powder size itself and layer thickness,” said Cary. “The finer the layer, the finer the powder, the finer the end resolution can be. The powder is responsible for your end density, material properties, resolution, and everything.”

Benefits of binder jetting include:

• High-volume printing at high speeds
• Design freedom due to fewer limitation in production
• Substantially reduced material waste
• Flexibility in 3D printing with different types of materials

Steel offers high resolution, high wear resistance, increased longevity for products, and over seven finishes are available. With the single alloy, very dense, strong parts with complex geometries can be printed—along with extremely fine, strong features.

Popular applications for 3D printing with steel include:

• Medical devices
• Branding irons and burners
• Automobile parts for restoration of older vehicles
• Tooling
• Fixtures
• Jewelry

One of the critical issues in metal 3D printing that drives design considerations is wall thickness. Minimum wall thicknesses should be adhered to because thin walls have a good chance of causing distortion on the back end of the manufacturing process.

Font and detail are another consideration for designers too. Text, numbers, and details need to have a minimum wall thickness of 0.8 mm to make sure that all of the text appears on the part and isn’t washed out during 3D printing. Considerations must be made for depowdering too, in terms of interior holes and cavities. Inside corners and sharp intersections should have ‘filleted edges,’ along with sharp edges—rounding the insides of the corners.

“We love seeing new designs brought on by customers, and we encourage them to keep pushing and keep thinking outside the box every day,” said Cary.

Metal materials available from Shapeways

Stainless Steel 316L – A single alloy made of 100% stainless steel, this material is an industrial metal that can be used for 3D printing products like mechanical machinery or surgical tooling. Resistant to both extremes in low and high temperatures, Stainless Steel 316L is also highly corrosion resistant. Read more about the design guidelines here.

Steel – This material is combined with bronze to create a material that is 60% steel and 40% bronze. Color ranges from silver gray to reddish bronze. Read more about the design guidelines here.

Other types of metal with 3D printing from Shapeways include:

Aluminum – 3D printed with Selective Laser Melting, Aluminum is recommended for outdoor applications due to its corrosion resistance and high electrical and thermal conductivity. This material is designated for end-use parts that must be strong, highly accurate, and low in weight.

Gold, Silver, Platinum, Copper and other precious metals – 3D printed molds are created for metal casting with high quality materials for applications like jewelry, and the Groen and Boothman case study serves as a great example, highlighting their Elements sterling silver bracelet series. Materials like Copper are even more versatile in wax casting, used to make marine accessories, mechanical devices like heat exchanges, home decor, and prototypes.

Read further about all the materials and technology available from Shapeways here. 

Contact Shapeways Now

Speak with our Sales Department to find out more about which metal material best suits your needs, and then move forward to enjoy the benefits of 3D printing without having to spend precious business capital on machines and inventories of material. Ready to print? Upload a model now.

Shapeways has worked with over 1 million customers in 160 countries to make over 20 million parts! Read about case studies, find out more about Shapeways solutions, and get instant quotes here.

The post Metal 3D Printing is Rising in Popularity appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Industrial Designer Paul Sohi is obsessed with 3D printing. He’s made it his life’s work to make it accessible to more people – a mission we share. His earlier efforts include developing the world’s first fully additively manufactured prosthetic used at the Paralympic Games. More recently, he has been evangelizing for Fusion 360 at Autodesk.

A skateboard was ideal for Paul’s latest project. He wanted to design a fun, common item to debunk many 3D printing myths still common today by proving that 3D-printed products are end-use ready, durable and not just for prototyping. Just as important, Paul wanted to prove that you don’t have to buy a 3D printer. He explains, “The number one misperception I hear from designers is that they have to buy a 3D printer. I want to show that Shapeways’ services are part of the Fusion 360 workflow.”

Paul used Fusion 360 Generative Design to make the skateboard trucks (the metal T-shaped pieces that mount onto the underside of the skateboard) durable while also minimizing materials to cut costs. He sent the files to Shapeways, and we delivered the trucks in two materials: titanium and aluminum, both manufactured using additive manufacturing. Paul constructed the entire skateboard from board to wheels to trucks, and headed to California.

Braille Skateboarding was founded by Aaron Kyro and creates videos to help spread the joy of skateboarding. They joined the project to see if Paul’s skateboard trucks could enhance Braille’s tricks. We wanted to show the skate trucks’ functionality all while capturing some great runs on a board made possible with 3D printing and generative design. More than just a 3D printing stunt, our team wanted to focus on making  skateboarding an even better experience with increased durability and mobility. We succeeded – Paul estimates the trucks are 45% lighter and multiple times more durable versus comparable skateboard trucks.

We captured videos of Braille’s tricks and details on how the skate trucks were made. Special thank-you to Paul, Braille, and Autodesk for making this so much fun. Shapeways loved helping to bring this idea to life.

The post 3D Printing Mythbusting with Braille Skateboarding 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.