Hello Shapeways-Team,
We've addressed questions to you about Black HDA.
Since we beleive it is crucial that products need to be geometrical accurate, we've raised the following questions:
Below you find our findings, based on the 3 prints in B-HDA. Which of these findings are confirmed?
1. Potentially B-HDA has a very smooth surface quality that matches the surface quality of injection moulded parts. However the other print shows almost as much sharp edges as FUD. Appearently the printing proces shows a lot of deviations. So, it should be a plus. But not always! The inconsistiancy in print quality is a big concern;
Question 1: What surface quality will SW guarantee?
1A. Entirely smooth without ripples
1B. Anything between the extremes we've seen can happen and are part of the proces
2. We mentioned that B-HDA does not require elaborate cleaning. The second print however was sticky. Not sure whether this model can be painted properly;
Question 2: I assume the sticky surface was a result of improper UV curing. Will SW guarantee sticky free surfaces?
2A. Yes, all B-HDA prints will be free from sticky surfaces
2B. Anything between the extremes we've seen
3. For painting purposes a brighter colour (white, bright gray) would be welcomed;
Question 3: Will other colours become available?
3A. Yes
3B. No
3C. Maybe in future
4. The dimensional quality of FUD is better. All B-HDA parts were warped, in different ways. Warpages seem to be a B-HDA feature.
Question 4: Will geometries that are in agree with the design guidelines be free of warpages? *
4A. Yes
4B. No, this is part of the printing proces. So basically designs that made out of multiple parts that should have a tigtht fit are not suitable designs.
5. B-HDA does require the removal of support material with knives. This removal is not only labour (cost) but adds inconsistency and damaging of the B-HDA parts.
Question 5: What does SW consider acceptable manual damages?
5A. If a customer complains, he will allways be refunded
5B. Cutting damages are part of the proces. These imperfections cannot be avoided.
All 'A' options would mean that B-HDA will make it to our shop too.
Please answer these questions.
Regards,
Maurice & Joris
RAILNSCALE
* Note: SW states in the material properties chart of Black High Definition Acrylics that the geometrical tolerances are: +/- 0.1 - 0.2 mm per 100 mm. This figure is the exact same as the official tolerances of FUD/FXD. Strange. Our previous prints in B-HDA showed that B-HDA was no way near FUD/FXD. Warping and bended edges were seen on various spots. So the accuracy of B-HDA in these prints is way worse than with FUD/FXD. Based on your claim all our current designs should be printable without any geometrical defects...