Shapeways new Fine Detail Plastics

[Chris333]

Is stuff worth my time?   

Seriously I don't even want to visit their website to see what this stuff even is.

[garethashenden]

Looks like they bought some resin printers. The same style we've all been using at home for years...

[Sokramiketes]

Except they say the support material now completely encases the print for more repeatable surface finish results.  Sounds like the old tech.  And wasn't the issue with the areas where the support material was located anyway?

[peteski]

Except they say the support material now completely encases the print for more repeatable surface finish results.  Sounds like the old tech.  And wasn't the issue with the areas where the support material was located anyway?

Yes, with the old FUD prints, surfaces in contact with wax supports would be all fuzzy.

[Chris333]

Yeah the way I read it was you guys hate support material so we fully encased the model in it. 

[Chris333]

Not even a photo showing how it looks:
https://www.shapeways.com/materials/fine-detail-plastic-3

[Chris333]

I *think* they are using this: https://www.3dsystems.com/materials/visijet-m2r-gry-mjp

[bbussey]

Why bother?  We can create better results at home for 1/10th the cost.

[samusi01]

…and a fraction of the time, for those of us who suffer from terminal impatience.

[Lemosteam]

I'll be ordering some parts soon in the gray and will report out.  Most of myt detail parts are very small so they may fall into the $5 category which is a $2.50 save form many of my designs.

Here is what the initial email stated:

"Shapeways continues soaring to new heights. As such, we’re excited to announce that we’ve expanded our Fine Detail Plastic (i.e. FUX, FXD) offerings for your model and miniature 3D printing.

Our new Gray Fine Detail Plastic is an opaque material that shows exceptional contrast and detail. Our new Clear Ultra Fine Detail Plastic has an improved clarity and look. To help with the small parts advantage, we have reduced the minimums to $5 for Gray and $7.50 for Clear.

These new parts will be completely encapsulated in support material, providing a more consistent finish compared to the older materials (Smooth and Smoothest Fine Detail Plastic). As this increases the support material used, it will slightly impact the cost as well, which we have targeted to be close to the existing (Geometry Dependent)"

Maybe this will turn the entire part fuzzy? Not sure.

They are still offering the two original materials alongside the two new ones, Gray and Clear. I will try both.

https://www.shapeways.com/materials/fine-detail-plastic-3

[JeffB]

I'll be ordering some parts soon in the gray and will report out.  Most of myt detail parts are very small so they may fall into the $5 category which is a $2.50 save form many of my designs.

Will be interested to see how you make out with these parts...

I interpreted this new material/process as being much better than the old FUD and FXD. 

Even if it is better than those, with no "fuzzy" side, I won't have a lot of need for it, except possibly on parts where I need all sides of the part to be blemish free and consistent.  That would be a definite advantage over home printers...  Multi-sided parts where all sides are "good".

Crossed fingers...

Jeff
 

[Lemosteam]

Will be interested to see how you make out with these parts...

I interpreted this new material/process as being much better than the old FUD and FXD. 

Even if it is better than those, with no "fuzzy" side, I won't have a lot of need for it, except possibly on parts where I need all sides of the part to be blemish free and consistent.  That would be a definite advantage over home printers...  Multi-sided parts where all sides are "good".

Crossed fingers...

Jeff

Bingo.  If I can get some detail parts to be clean (meaning without resin-type supports), that's a win.

The majority of my sales on SW are to folks that will never deep-dive into resin printing (and all of its "nuances", and yes, I could earn more profit (or charge less), but inventory, packaging and mailing and that hassle eat up that savings real quick.

Each printing process has its pitfalls and strengths, so I am fine using both the satisfy my needs.

[Chris333]

I was mostly thinking about putting my Thingieverse stuff up on SW for people without a printer.

[Lemosteam]

Do it, and earn a modest profit on your design work. You deserve that.

[JeffB]

I was mostly thinking about putting my Thingieverse stuff up on SW for people without a printer.

You should...  I have a few items on my SW store and once in a great while I'm surprised with a deposit into PayPal from SW.  You've got a lot more usable and worthwhile items, I bet you'd see monthly deposits from sales of your stuff.

Bingo.  If I can get some detail parts to be clean (meaning without resin-type supports), that's a win.

The majority of my sales on SW are to folks that will never deep-dive into resin printing (and all of its "nuances", and yes, I could earn more profit (or charge less), but inventory, packaging and mailing and that hassle eat up that savings real quick.

Each printing process has its pitfalls and strengths, so I am fine using both the satisfy my needs.

Same...  I still have SW print gearboxes and chassis blocks for locomotives in the old FUD.  Works out better than my home printers and I know what to expect. 

This new material would be valuable to me if all surfaces are uniform and relatively clean.  I have a few parts I'll need a lot of that could benefit greatly from that.  I print them on my home machines, but the "ugly side" requires a lot of futzing with to make these parts usable.  I've made adjustments for the home printers, but that took away some of the functionality of said parts.

Looking forward to seeing how this new material and process pans out.

Jeff