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Hey All!

I’m working on a children’s product that has gone through many rounds of prototypes. I was printing through shapeways for the first few rounds but now I need extreme accuracy for interlocking pieces. I’m searching for the correct material… I need something most similar to the Fitbit or the apple sport watch. A material that is flexible yet strong. One that you can just barely stretch when pulled but definitely has a little give. Anyone out there have a recommendation for a material available on the 3D hubs platform that will have these results? Thank you all in advance!

Mark

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Semiflex by Ninjaflex should serve you well, there are a lot of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) materials out there, but Ninjaflex definitely is top notch of those. Do you have special requirements in terms of color, level of detail of surface (sticky, smooth, textured, rough, slippery and so on)? If you’d be able to upload your models it would be easier to recommend the best fitting material, some geometries allow for stiffer materials to be used as the model is thin enough to bend even with those materials. Cheers, Marius Breuer

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I would test out both Semiflex and nylon. Taulman has a couple interesting alloys, check out this chart for tensile strength vs elongation: How to Choose!

I think Semiflex might be too flexible for your needs (look at a video of it in action) but nylon might be a tad too rigid. I’d suggest Nylond Bridge or Nylon 645 but Nylon Bridge is much easier to print. I have some Nylon Bridge if you want to send me an order. Just give me a day to test it and make sure it’s still dry enough (nylon absorbs water from the air).

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Wow. Thank you, guys. This is extremely helpful and informative. I really appreciate the suggestions.

Curious if you could also help me with another material question. I’m also looking to print with something closer to a metallic/plastic. The best reference would be the clasping device of a FitBit… it seems to be plastic with metallic characteristics. It feels heavy, solid and when dropped on a hard surface has a “ding” sound. Reference here: https://www.google.com/search?q=fitbit+clasp&espv=2&biw=1160&bih=964&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ\_AUoAmoVChMIjvGx8YuGyAIVgzk-Ch0O2gP8#imgdii=j8Bk572OuSvugM%3A%3Bj8Bk572OuSvugM%3A%3BJPMDoZdhNOaF1M%3A&imgrc=j8Bk572OuSvugM%3A

Any recommendation on a printable material similar that would have the best detail? Thank you all in advance.

Mark

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Bronzefill from Colorfabb?

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Bronzefill just looks like metal, it doesn’t have any metal properties. As just very fine bronze powder is used that is held together by PLA the chances are very low, that it has the requested properties. I would look for stiffer engineering plastics like XT CF-20 or polycarbonate. PMMA is also worth a consideration.

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Judging by the description he provided, it seems the “metallic properties” hes looking for are cosmetic not structural. He wants the look and metallic clink, he didn’t say anything about strength.

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I am looking for strength. Apologies, I should have been more descriptive. Given that I’m looking for smooth, detailed, strong material with an added bonus of having metallic-like characteristics/weight, which of the suggestions given would be my best route? Fine detail is key. Thank you guys, this has been so very helpful!

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Unless you use an SLS service like Shapeways and print in a metal powder you won’t find what you’re looking for. FDM does not have a material that can provide both the strength and appearance of metal. If you want strength then go with XT-CF20 ( XT-CF20 ). It’s one of the strongest 3D printable polymers reinforced with carbon fiber.