• Who: Wesley Günter Krijntjes
• Industry: Custom Jewelry / 3D Design
• Location: Netherlands
• Challenge: Shapeways’ temporary closure disrupted a long-standing digital manufacturing workflow
• Solution: Rejoined via Thangs to restore production and plan brand relaunch
• Results: More than 25 countries served, media recognition and renewed energy to scale globally 

The designer behind the brand

“I love things that catch the eye, look unique and have never been seen before. To create this I use structures and patterns we see all around us, both natural and manmade. I love to combine patterns I see into new wearable shapes.”

‘Trigon’ necklace and earrings: Inspired by Wesley’s love for the ancient pyramids, made in Polished Silver released in 2024.

Wesley Günter Krijntjes is a Netherlands-based 3D designer and jewelry maker with a background in metal working. In 2012 Wesley wanted to make a keychain for the company he was working for. His knowledge of manufacturing with metals led him on a search for someone that could mill a mould so he could cast his own resins. On that search, he came across Shapeways… and things quickly snowballed.

Wesley explains: “When I came across Shapeways I soon started designing jewelry for my then girlfriend. Back then Shapeways was really working together with designers to set up a nice shop and build their brand. This really got me into building something bigger.”

Proven solutions worth waiting for

For more than 10 years Wesley relied on Shapeways to turn his intricate designs into wearable jewelry. From prototyping to fulfillment anywhere in the world, Shapeways worked behind the scenes to allow Wesley freedom to design and build his brand. When Shapeways was briefly unavailable, Wesley didn’t switch platforms. Instead he doubled down on launching his independent business and hoping that he’d have access to Shapeways again soon.

“I was trusting that Shapeways would eventually come back. In the roughly fourteen years I have been busy with design for 3D printing I have only once ordered from another provider,” explains Wesley. The allure of a reliable and proven partner, based locally was enough to keep Wesley committed to a return. “I just kept on designing new things and only made 3D renders preparing for the inevitable relaunch!”

‘Seed of life squared’ pendant: The seed and flower of life are sacred symbols used by humans all throughout history, the designer left out some leaves to make the design open and unique. Made in natural bronze, also from the 24 collection. 

Reinvigoration and new ambition

When Shapeways acquired the Thangs platform, Wesley was among the first to rejoin the community. The tools and platform features he relied on — as well as the proven manufacturing expertise of Shapeways — was immediately available, making for a seamless transition back to business. “For me it is a return to the more distant past that I missed, where the marketplace was the main focus. Under the previous ownership the Shapeways marketplace faded more into the background, so I really like it returning to the forefront through the acquisition of Thangs,” says Wesley. 

The combination of Thangs as a marketplace and discovery system for his designs, combined with the hard-won trust in Shapeways’ manufacturing capabilities has reinvigorated Wesley’s journey. “I loved reconnecting with Shapeways through a new channel, it gave me new energy and will set everything up this year to relaunch my jewelry brand back into its original glory!”

‘Convolute’ pendant and earrings: The Convolute pendant inspiration came from the DNA helix. Wesley shaped the helix in the shape of a teardrop visualizing the DNA we share with every drop shed. This is one of the first designs he made and is the all time best seller. First published in 2012 under the name DNA Teardrop pendant, made in Polished Silver.

Set for the future

While this reinvigoration is just starting, Wesley has already seen the value in the combination of Thangs and Shapeways. “Previously I sold successfully to more than 25 countries, with Shapeways handling the production, finishing and shipping seamlessly. The integration with Thangs is really exciting, and provides the discovery platform, collaboration space and genuine community I am looking for while maintaining a proven delivery partner handling the 3D printing, finishing, QA, shipping, and more. I am excited to focus on creating and seeing what comes next!”

The post How Wesley Krijntjes Leverages Shapeways’ On-Demand Production to Power His Jewelry Brand appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Addigy P3001 is available on the Shapeways website and at the Shapeways Marketplace, as the result of a long-standing partnership with Covestro. Both companies have come together to combine a unique 3D printing material with scalable technology. 

Addigy P3001 Exemplifies Versatility in 3D Printing

As part of a broader group of industrial materials known as Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs), Addigy P3001 TPE is referred to as a multiblock thermoplastic copolymer, made up of both hard (Polyester) and soft (Polyether) segments. Production of a sample part for sports equipment like a hockey puck illustrates the strength of Addigy P3001, exemplifying the versatility in this 3D printing material with both flexibility and hardness.

Addigy P3001 meets ISO 10993 standards for biocompatibility, including cytotoxicity. This 3D printing material, regardless of finish, should not cause skin irritation or sensitivity. Because there are no plasticizers like PCBs in Addigy P3001, the material is also suitable for manufacturing toys. Dyed parts that meet biocompatibility certifications will be offered in the near future. 

Manufacturing with Addigy P3001 is also safe:

“One of the biggest reasons we were able to add this material so easily and quickly is because of its printability factor, with little to no smoke or odor during production,” says Thomas Murphy, Senior Product Manager at Shapeways.

Shapeways is pleased to offer this flexible material at the Marketplace; in fact, Daniëlle Glasbergen-Benning, Application Development Specialist for Covestro, points out that rigorous strain on the material in testing has shown more stretch and elasticity than many designers and engineers have ever seen. This helps greatly with performance over a long period of time.

3D Printing Applications for Addigy P3001 

Because of its excellent mechanical properties and adaptability, Addigy P3001 plays a robust role in numerous applications, to include: 

• Footwear like midsoles and insoles, due to good rebound from material and required biocompatibility for insoles 
• Protective gear due to shock absorption and impact resistance, making the material suitable for applications like sports guards and impact pads
• Sports equipment like bicycle seats, grips and handles, with Addigy P3001 also reducing vibration 
• Consumer goods like glass frames
• Industrial applications like seals, gaskets, and conveyor belt parts, due to high-temperature resistance
• Insulation
• Automotive interiors

SLS 3D Printing Technology

Advanced 3D printing materials like Addigy 93001 offer many great features, but they are also dependent on advanced additive manufacturing technology, whether for rapid prototyping or end-use manufacturing. Shapeways relies on Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology, a subcategory of Laser Powder Bed Fusion, for 3D printing Addigy P3001.

“We start with a thin layer of powder, 120 microns in this case, and we use a laser that sinters each trace of the model at that layer,” explains Murphy. “There could be multiple parts nested in that layer, with every one of them sintered at once. After that we put a fresh layer of powder across and the unsintered powder acts as a support for that part. Unsintered powder can later be recycled and reused at a rate of fifty-fifty.”

Shapeways engineers then move on to post-processing, beginning with de-powdering, then vapor smoothing to add a glossy, improved finish and aesthetic.

On-demand 3D Printing with Addigy P3001 SLS

One of the greatest benefits in additive manufacturing is the ability to make products on-demand. Storing 3D models digitally enables manufacturers to eliminate large stores of inventory and allows Shapeways to 3D print accurate, repeatable parts quickly.

“One of our current Addigy P3001 customers designs sports guards, and they have been working with us during their ramp-up period in developing and customizing parts. Each product is personalized for their end-customer,” says Murphy. “The 3D files are sent directly to our Eindhoven manufacturing team and they 3D print the parts.”

“The digital inventory enables re-orders to go right into production and parts on-demand to be purchased.”

Find out more about finishing options and design guidelines for Addigy P3001 here.

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 Addigy® P3001 is a Robust Performer in 3D Printing Applications appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Also referred to as Investment Casting, Precision Casting, or even cire perdue (french), this unique technology has historically been recognized as a strong suit for foundries. Created around 5,000 years ago to make metal products and ammunition, Lost Wax Casting is performed in most instances by pouring red-hot, liquid metal into molds to create structures. 

Materials for 3D Printing Molds

Fast forward to the present, and many are surprised to find out that the 3D printed molds for Lost Wax Casting are made out of a variety of different 3D printing materials, to include the following:

• Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] – This thermoplastic is popular for 3D printing parts with Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), as well as making a wide range of 3D printed molds for Wax Casting industrial parts, jewelry, and technical accessories.
• MJF Plastic PA12 – Another well-rounded and popular 3D printing material, MJF PA12 is also used via Multi Jet Fusion to create molds for 3D printing master patterns.
• Steel and Stainless Steel – Shapeways offers metal powders for creating a variety of useful 3D printed Wax Casting molds.

• Sandstone – Although this 3D printing material is known to be more brittle and requires special handling, it is used for creating fast, economical molds.
• Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) – 3D printed with SLS technology, TPU is often used as a substitute for silicone in making Wax Casting molds, because the material is so flexible.  

The Benefits of 3D Printed Lost Wax Casting 

Wax inserts are most often used, structuring the interior of each mold. Once liquid metal is introduced to the mold for making the desired structure, all the wax melts and is drained out. With 3D printing, the cooling process is more stable, and once complete, the solidified metal part can be removed. From there, each casting is an exact replication of the previous one. If the mold needs to be altered, a 3D design can be modified, 3D printed again, and allows for further perfection of any wax-casted part. 

While traditionally molds have been made with conventional methods for technology like Wax Casting or Injection Molding, 3D printing molds are useful for low-volume, economical production, and can be made in a fraction of the time required for traditional mold making. All the classic benefits of 3D printing are present in this process too. Tremendous freedom in design and production is allowed in making molds and consequent parts. Complex geometries can be designed and 3D printed, featuring cavities and other intricate details desired for prototypes or end parts being cast in metal. Speed in production is a huge bonus for any manufacturer too, due to advanced 3D printing technology, 3D printing materials, and little to no requirements for lead time.

Industrial Applications for Lost Wax Casting

3D printing provides the opportunity to perfect parts with rapid prototyping, and 3D printed molds for Lost Wax Casting are no exception to the rule. Because 3D models can be designed and 3D printed quickly, Shapeways customers enjoy a broad iteration process. While product development may be streamlined so that only a handful of iterations are necessary, other customers may be experimenting with so many different details that over a hundred prototypes are necessary. In comparing additive manufacturing vs. traditional manufacturing during this process, however, 3D printing is beneficial all around in terms of speed and cost.

3D printing has evolved into a technology that manufacturers rely on for functional, end-use parts. 3D printing molds have promoted this growth, especially as they have become more common in foundries. Parts manufactured via Lost Wax Casting are used in industrial applications like medicine, for creating orthopedic devices. In robotics, casting is used to manufacture robotic arms and integrated electronics.

Aerospace manufacturers employ 3D printed molds to create functional prototypes for testing to ensure exact form and fit, and then may also go on to make end-use parts. 3D printed drone frames are a great example for designers and engineers testing and making highly customized, smaller components in moderate volumes. 3D printed molds are also used in foundries to create critical mechanical parts and components for construction equipment.

Precious Metals for Lost Wax Casting:

Wax casting is known for professional-looking, detailed parts with superb finishing. Shapeways offers the following metal materials for Wax Casting:

• Brass – An alloy made up of 15% zinc, 5% tin, and 80% copper, Brass is available with a natural matte finish or a shiny polish, and is also offered with Gold Plating or Rhodium Plating.
• Bronze – A copper-tin alloy made up of 10% tin and 90% copper, Bronze is often used for jewelry with a vintage appearance, featuring a deep red color, marbling, and silver highlights. Bronze materials are available in natural matte or polished finishes.
• Copper – Featuring a red-orange color that oxidizes over time, turning to a deeper color, Copper is often desired for its corrosion-resistant properties. This material is available in a natural or polished finish.

• Gold – Both 14-carat and 18-carat gold are available in yellow, white, and rose. Intricate designs can be made for valuable parts or fine jewelry with this precious metal.  
• Platinum – One of the highest quality metal materials available, Platinum is a white metal used for luxury products. This material is available in a professional finish.
• Silver – A high-quality alloy, Silver tends to be more malleable, and is popular in the jewelry industry. Silver is offered with the following finishes: natural, polished, fine-detail polished, and antique.

Lost Wax Casting for Jewelry

Many cast-metal products from Shapeways are jewelry, whether as one-of-a-kind pieces, in smaller volumes for boutique designers, or larger companies making a wide range of pieces. Materials like Silver, Gold, and Platinum are most popular with jewelry designers who focus on the conceptualizing and designing of 3D models while leaving the manufacturing to Shapeways. 

Numerous jewelry designers have worked with Shapeways for years and in time have evolved right along with our company, honing design skills and knowledge of production, as well as experimenting with a wide variety of different materials and post-processing details like tumbling, polishing, or plating with materials like Gold and Rhodium.

On-demand 3D printing for Jewelers and All Manufacturers

Designers have vast opportunities for customization, coupled with the opportunity to take advantage of on-demand production–one of the greatest benefits built into 3D printing technology. Entire inventories can be managed on a single digital file, in comparison to traditional warehouses holding large stores of parts. On-demand 3D printing allows for streamlined production with reduced assemblies for larger industrial parts, efficiency in time to market, and continued security in uploading, maintaining, and storing files.

Shapeways works with businesses of all types and sizes for on-demand 3D printing, allowing them to eliminate product backlogs and prevent supply chain issues.

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 Wax Casting appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Industry projections regarding the impact of additive manufacturing on a global scale are hard to ignore. The 3D printing market was valued at USD 13.84 billion in 2021, and projected to show a compound annual growth rate of 20.8%. As market development continues to accelerate, many traditional companies are becoming more curious about what 3D printing can do for them, to those who are already running hybrid factories or even transforming completely over to additive manufacturing.

Transforming – The Benefits of 3D Printing 

Traditional manufacturers may initially be enticed by the potential for savings with 3D printing; however, it doesn’t take long to see the industrial advantages are multi-layered, with the potential for unprecedented manufacturing agility. The most remarkable feature setting additive manufacturing apart is the ability to customize intensively. Complex parts previously impossible to make via traditional methods can now be perfectly designed according to the customer’s specifications and product requirements. 

Other classic benefits include:

• Design Freedom – Not only does 3D printing present greater affordability and accessibility in making traditional manufacturing vs. additive manufacturing comparisons, industrial engineers enjoy a whole new level of design freedom with technology like Selective Laser Sintering 3D printing, Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing, or Binder Jetting. While this is true of AM processes as a whole, powder-based technology like SLS or MJF present even greater design freedom because they do not require support structures. Unsintered powder bunches up around parts during production, protecting them throughout the 3D printing process. The potential for damage is eliminated in post-processing, saving unexpected costs and potential headaches. 

• Smart packing of parts – Thousands of parts can be 3D printed simultaneously in powder-based technology with smart packing of 3D models, also known as nesting. Ultimately, designers and industrial engineers can focus on making complex, customized 3D models rather than spending  time compensating for support structures. Larger assemblies can also be consolidated into singular components or fewer parts.

• Streamlined product development – Continuing to cash in on the advantages of the original intent behind 3D printing, rapid prototyping is the catalyst behind maximized product development. Prototyping is exponentially faster and more affordable. The ability to get feedback quickly and make edits as needed leads to speed in production, higher-quality products, and a swifter journey in getting products to market. 

• On-demand 3D printing – Manufacturers can overcome supply chain challenges, offering production at more localized sites and allowing customers to order parts as needed. Another great benefit is that with on-demand 3D printing, no one has to maintain an extensive inventory–and in some cases–none at all.

Transitioning – from Traditional to Additive Manufacturing

Conventional methods have stood the test of time due to precision in manufacturing and mass production. Today, the key is to understand when additive manufacturing vs. traditional manufacturing makes sense in terms of overall quality. In transitioning to additive manufacturing over traditional manufacturing, the goal is still to make high-performance prototypes and parts that last. Injection Molding or CNC Machining might be the best fit for a particular customer as consumer demand rises for mass production, or parts may be more well-suited to AM processes. 

Shapeways remains dedicated to recommending what is best for the customer, and often this means taking an agnostic approach in terms of technology. The focus remains on working around customers’ needs to match the correct materials and processes to a specific application. Customers like 67 Designs remain dedicated to using 3D printing technology with advanced materials like Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] even as their production demands rise for tablet mounts in off-roading vehicles. 

Many customers use a combination of 3D printing and traditional manufacturing for both prototypes and end-use parts for 3D printed drone frames, depending on project requirements. Others like Tilt Hydrometer or Voytek Medical enjoy the convenience of 3D printing with one material or experimenting with several, and then going on to manufacture them with the same materials–for years on end in numerous cases.

Hybrid production settings allow manufacturers and customers to have the best of all worlds, on demand, with complementary technologies–and often, dynamic industry collaborations.

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 Printing Expands Business Opportunities for Traditional Manufacturers appeared first on Shapeways Blog.

Accelerate Time to Market with Additive Manufacturing

Rapid prototyping leads to faster production and accelerated time to market, but the process also gives designers expanded opportunities to customize and test intensively before they get there. In working with Shapeways, further constraints are removed too with no requirements for lead time. Designers can upload up to 20 3D models at any time, receive instant quotes and feedback regarding printability analysis, and enjoy the rewards of fast 3D printing.

Created in 1983 as a completely novel tool for engineers to speed up product development, 3D printing has far exceeded its original intended use, now highlighted in the mainstream for a range of innovative projects and end-use parts. A revolutionary process in its original form, resin-based Stereolithography (SLA), 3D printing was initially inspired by the common practice of using multiple layers of coatings to strengthen products. Decades later, 3D printing continues to propel engineers forward in applications like automotive, drones, medical, and far more–allowing them to create functional products never before possible with traditional manufacturing. Without the advent of or the accessibility to fast 3D printing, many manufacturers might still remain held back in product development.

In rapid prototyping, models can be 3D printed on demand for streamlined, ongoing feedback, allowing team members and customers to understand product features and details, as well as quickly noting any flaws or other issues that need to be resolved. Evaluations and modifications are made swiftly, and while numerous members of a team may be involved in the product development process, when it comes to making design changes and 3D printing new iterations, very little labor is required to make precise edits. No tooling is required, material usage is decreased, and many errors can be fixed instantaneously or avoided altogether with the 3D printing prototype.

Photorealistic, high-quality visuals make all the difference for product development, progressing from imagining and sharing a concept to holding a physical object. In a case like automotive applications, a car or motorcycle 3D printing prototype may be tested for form and fit repeatedly until it is flawless. 

3D Print On Demand to Overcome Inventory and Supply Chain Restrictions

The freedom afforded to designers and manufacturers continues to play a large role in additive manufacturing. While advanced technology like Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) offers a wide range of new luxuries to designers and engineers, it also means that designers don’t have to worry about complexities and consequent possible headaches arising from support structures or rigorous post-processing exercises. 

Looking at the larger picture, however, additive manufacturing is most disruptive and revolutionary. On-demand 3D printing allows for rapid prototyping of highly customized products in local areas. The supply chain is improved and further streamlined with this type of production and the ability to rapid prototype 3D printing, offering manufacturers greater command over product development, customization, personalization–and ultimately–distribution of finished products.

For smaller companies like Voytek Medical, known for their 3D printed medical clasps which organize equipment cords, the ability to prototype and 3D print end-use parts made a pivotal difference. Owner Steven Jaworski came to Shapeways after realizing his industrial prototyping and manufacturing needs had outgrown the capabilities of his desktop 3D printer. Developing a continued and long-term partnership with Shapeways, Jaworski has been able to iterate over the years without restriction. 

“The business built the business,” said Jaworski. “I was able to scale as needed, and constantly reinvested back into the company. Any kind of profit went into expanding the product itself and getting better tools.”

Shapeways 3D prints Voytek parts with Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic], relying on Selective Laser Sintering technology to create a ‘menu’ of 3D printed equipment cable organizers for hospitals to order.

Access Advanced 3D Printing Materials for Rapid Prototyping and End-Use Products

Growing numbers of Shapeways customers now prototype with one material that they go on to rely on for years in terms of 3D printing end-use products too. This is especially true with 3D printing materials like Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic]. Known for incredible durability as well as adaptability, Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] is excellent for product development and long-term use. Because of this material’s high ductility, prototypes and parts can be made flexible for thinner parts, and more rigid for thicker 3D printed structures. 

Materials like Multi Jet Fusion Plastic PA12 are also used in 3D printed rapid prototyping due to high strength and accuracy, and the same amount of design freedom offered through MJF with no need for support structures. Multi Jet Fusion technology is extremely well-adapted for prototyping due to precision in parts, as well as the excellence offered in surface quality and texture.

For prototypes that require finer details, designers often turn to SLA technology with materials like Accura 60, Accura Xtreme, and Accura Xtreme White 200. SLA 3D printing offers accuracy, good mechanical qualities, and also nice smooth surface finishes which make it a popular choice for designers making 3D printed rapid prototypes or end parts that require a more realistic look.

Find out more about rapid prototyping services with Shapeways here.

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 Prototypes: Fast Tracking Product Development and the Supply Chain appeared first on Shapeways Blog.