Introducing Our Two New Materials!

Whether you’re an entrepreneur in the midst of expanding your business or a first-time creator experimenting with a new product, your idea deserves the highest quality materials. While 3D printing is an ever-expanding industry, here at Shapeways we’re committed to staying on top of the latest cutting-edge technologies to ensure you have all you need to innovate your industry. A large part of that pledge is consistently diversifying our range of materials so that we always have the perfect match for your product’s specific needs. Today we’re excited to announce the addition of two new maker materials to the platform: PA12 Glass Beads and TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). These two new materials are maker materials meaning they will only be available for purchase on own models and not available on the marketplace.

PA12 Glass Beads

PA12 Glass Beads is a new addition to the material family formerly known as “Professional Plastic” that we’re renaming “Multi Jet Fusion Plastic.” PA12 Glass Beads is a glass-filled nylon printed with HP MJF technology. This material offers high stiffness and high structural integrity. Translation: large and flat products will print with ease, without the concern of warping or distortion. PA12 Glass Bead’s resilience and strength make it an ideal material for projects within the medical, robotics, and drones industries, particularly for applications like flat parts, fixtures, and tooling. It’s currently available in two finishes: Gray and Dark Gray.

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

Highly flexible and shockingly durable, thermoplastic polyurethane is a vast improvement from our previously offered elastoplastic. TPU’s elasticity and natural resistance to most every day wear make it an excellent candidate for automotive and medical use. It would work wonders as an insole, midsole, or helmet; and for robotics applications, TPU could be used for tubing, hoses, and seals.

We’re so excited to see how these new materials will expand the realm of what’s possible with Shapeways. PA12GB and TPU are now available on our site for your own models. Upload your design, select one of these two exciting materials, and get an instant quote now.