We use Shapeways to manufacture our parts. We are please and very excited to have them at our disposal and to be able to offer some very unique printing materials as well as a service of which is second to non.
The main material we offer is a sintered nylon power SLS called Strong & Flexible or PA2200
To 3D print in this material, we start with a bed of Nylon powder and sinter the powder with a laser layer by layer, solidifying the powder as we go. Because of this layer by layer process, some products may see a staircase effect. How much you see this effect depends on how your model is oriented in the print tray. Our production planners are working hard to orient models optimally to ensure efficient and good lookin' trays.
Material Info
Look and feel
This material is incredibly versatile, and can be used for a wide variety of applications, from iPhone cases to jewelry, remote controlled quadcopters to wearable bikinis. When thin, it's flexible enough for hinges and springs. When thick, it's strong enough for structural components.
Handling and care
This material
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is dishwasher safe
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not watertight
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not recyclable
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not foodsafe
Strong & Flexible plastics are heatproof to 80℃ / 176℉ degrees. Higher temperatures may significantly change material properties.
Print lines or "Stepping"
Depending on the shape of your model and orientation in the print tray, you might see print lines, or “stepping” phenomena on your model, which is a natural artifact of 3D printing using the SLS process. SLS printing works by printing layer by layer, and while our layers are around 0.12mm thin, there is a "step" between each layer, much like a staircase.
