Alexei Volkov
Shapeways' white versatile plastic is a 3D printing material that is durable and flexible. It is made from Nylon 12 plastic and can be used for a wide range of applications, from prototyping to end products. It is created using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), which fuses nylon powder together, allowing for interlocking parts. When thin, it is flexible enough for hinges and springs, and when thick, it provides structural strength. The standard finish has a shotpeened surface, while the smooth finish offers a higher-quality look and feel with a slight shine. Shapeways also offers natural, premium, and MJF PA12 plastic variations, each serving different purposes and aesthetics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Nylon 12 |
| Printing Process | Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) |
| Strength | High strength and stiffness |
| Flexibility | Flexible when thin, strong when thick |
| Surface Finish | Standard (shotpeened), Smooth, Natural, Premium |
| Colour Options | White, Black, Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple |
| Dyeing | Possible |
| Applications | Prototyping, End Products, Medical Models, Drones, Luxury Jewelry |
| Post-Processing | Vapor Smoothing, Sanding, Priming |
| Minimum Bounding Box | X + Y + Z ≥ 7.5 mm (Standard) |
| Maximum Bounding Box | 650 × 350 × 550 mm (Standard White) |
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What You'll Learn
Versatile Plastic's strength and flexibility
Shapeways' Versatile Plastic is a Nylon 12 plastic that can be used for a wide range of applications, from prototyping to end products. It is a durable and flexible material that can be printed using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), a process that uses a laser to fuse together nylon powder. This enables the creation of interlocking parts, making it suitable for hinges, springs, and structural components.
The strength and flexibility of Versatile Plastic depend on its thickness during printing. When printed thinly, it is flexible enough to be used for hinges and springs, and it can even fold like fabric when printed in a chainmail pattern. On the other hand, when printed with thicker features, it becomes strong enough for structural components.
The finishing options for Versatile Plastic include a standard finish, which has a shot-peened surface, and a smooth finish, which has a slight shine created using a physio-chemical vapour smoothing process. The smooth finish is watertight and suitable for functional 3D printed products without interlocking parts. It is important to note that the printing orientation for larger models may be restricted due to the maximum bounding box size limitations.
In addition to the standard and smooth finishes, Shapeways offers a premium versatile plastic with a smooth, suede-like surface and MJF PA12 plastic, which is known for its sturdiness and durability. The natural colour of Versatile Plastic is white, but it can also be dyed various colours, including black, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
Overall, Shapeways' Versatile Plastic is a strong and flexible material that can be used for a wide range of applications. Its strength and flexibility can be tailored to specific needs by adjusting the thickness of the print and choosing the appropriate finish.
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Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
SLS was developed in the mid-1980s by Dr. Carl Deckard and his academic adviser, Dr. Joe Beaman at the University of Texas at Austin. Their method has since been adapted to work with a range of materials, including plastics, metals, glass, ceramics, and various composite material powders.
The SLS process involves preheating the powder to a temperature just below its melting point. A re-coating blade then spreads a thin, even layer of powder over the build platform. A laser, typically a carbon dioxide laser, then scans and sinters the shape of the layer, bonding powder particles precisely where the part geometry requires. After each layer, the platform lowers slightly, and a new powder layer is applied. This process repeats until the part is fully formed.
SLS is commonly used for rapid prototyping and low-volume production of component parts. It is also increasingly being used in limited-run manufacturing to produce end-use parts for aerospace, military, medical, pharmaceutical, and electronics hardware. The technology is valued for its ability to easily create complex geometries with little to no added manufacturing effort.
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Finishing options
The plastic is available in a Standard finish, which has a shot-peened surface. This is suitable for prototyping and functional parts. The standard finish has a minimum bounding box of X + Y + Z ≥ 7.5 mm and a maximum bounding box of 650 x 350 x 550 mm.
The Smooth finish, created using a physio-chemical process to vapour smooth the surface, gives a higher-quality look and feel to the plastic. It has a slight shine and a suede-like surface. The minimum bounding box for this finish is X+Y+Z =>40mm & Smallest axis >1.0mm, and the maximum bounding box is 345 x 375 x 440 mm.
For a truly professional finish, you can spray light coats of primer paint, letting it dry and sanding between each coat with progressively finer grit sandpaper until the surface is completely smooth.
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Applications and use cases
Shapeways' white versatile plastic is a durable nylon 12 plastic created using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology. It is a versatile material with a wide range of applications, from prototyping to end products. Its flexibility and strength make it a suitable material for various industries, including healthcare, luxury jewellery, and product development.
Prototyping and Product Development
White versatile plastic is ideal for creating prototypes during product development. Its flexibility allows for the creation of thin features such as hinges and springs, while its strength supports structural components. This makes it perfect for testing and refining product designs.
Healthcare
Shapeways' versatile plastic has found applications in the healthcare industry, particularly in creating intricate 3D designs for medical models used for diagnosis, training, and treatment planning. The ability to produce complex and accurate models improves the quality of life for patients and even saves lives.
Jewellery
The versatility of this material extends to creating luxury jewellery. The smooth finish option provides a premium look and feel, making it suitable for high-end jewellery pieces. The ability to dye the plastic also allows for a range of colours to meet diverse design requirements.
Industrial Manufacturing
White versatile plastic can be used for industrial 3D manufacturing, aiding businesses in scaling up their operations. The material's durability and ability to create interlocking parts make it suitable for various industrial applications.
Custom Creations
Shapeways offers a wide range of materials and finishes, enabling customers to create custom products with accuracy and complex details. The lack of minimum order requirements makes it accessible for creating single parts or mass customizations.
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Choosing the right material
Purpose and Functionality
Think about the intended purpose of your model. Is it for prototyping, functional parts, or an end product? Versatile Plastic is suitable for both prototyping and end products. If you're creating functional parts, consider the flexibility and strength requirements. Versatile Plastic can be thin and flexible for hinges and springs or thick and sturdy for structural components.
Aesthetics and Finish
Shapeways offers a range of finishes for Versatile Plastic, including Standard, Smooth, and Natural. The Standard finish provides a basic look, while the Smooth finish enhances the appearance with a slight shine and a smoother surface. The Natural finish has a rough texture and a powder residue, making it more suitable for low-end applications. For a higher-end product, consider the Premium Versatile Plastic with its smooth, suede-like surface or the MJF PA12 Plastic for sturdiness and durability.
Colour Options
The natural colour of Nylon 12 is white, but Shapeways offers a variety of dyeing options, including black, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Consider whether colour is important for your model and if it aligns with your brand or intended use.
Size and Complexity
Consider the size and complexity of your model. Versatile Plastic has specific bounding box requirements, which restrict the printing orientation if your model is close to the maximum size. Additionally, ensure that your model meets the minimum requirements for walls, wires, and clearance to survive the printing and cleaning processes.
Interlocking Parts
If your model has interlocking parts, consider the finish carefully. The Nylon 12 Smooth finish is not suitable for interlocking parts. Instead, opt for the standard finish or explore other materials if interlocking functionality is crucial for your design.
Customer Preferences
Think about your target audience and their preferences. Would they prefer a versatile design that looks great in a range of materials and price points, or are you offering an exclusive piece in a specific material? Understanding your customers' needs and desires will help you choose the right material to position your product effectively.
Remember, Shapeways offers a wide range of materials and finishes, so you can always reach out to them to explore other options and find the perfect material for your specific requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
Versatile Plastic is a Nylon 12 plastic, which is a durable material that can be used for a wide range of applications, from prototyping to end products.
Nylon 12 is a popular 3D printing material, which is printed using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). This process fuses nylon powder together, enabling interlocking parts.
The material is naturally white and can be left in its natural state, which has a rough surface with powder residue. Alternatively, it can be smoothed using a physio-chemical vapour smoothing process, which gives the plastic a slight shine and a watertight finish.
As well as white, Versatile Plastic is available in black, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
When printed thinly, Versatile Plastic is flexible enough for hinges and springs. When printed with thicker features, it becomes strong enough for structural components.
