Manifester’s role as a designer and a producer allows us to source the right materials for your project. 3D Printing has many options. We also have expertise with laser cutting, casting and finishing methods. No matter what you’re hoping to construct, our designers will find a way to make it real.
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) Materials:
We recommend printing in PLA for most jobs as it gives the highest quality prints.
The following materials and colours are kept in stock:
PLA: Black, White, Blue
This is a biodegradable plastic typically created out of corn starch. It’s low melting point allows for large scale FDM prints.
ABS: Black, White, Blue, Semi-transparent (+40c per cubic centimeter. No large objects.)
ABS demonstrates similar results to PLA, with slightly more flexibility and heat resistance. However, warping issues are common with large prints.
HIPS: White (+$1.50 per cc)
This plastic is used as our dissolvable support structure. Technically a dense form of polystyrene, the plastic dissolves in a solution of Limonene, a citric acid concentrate.
PETT (T-glase): Clear (Frosted). Black Opaque. Blue Opaque. (+$2.50 per cc, may have longer lead times)
This is a variant of PET developed for 3d printing. PET is the plastic used to create clear water bottles. It offers the best flexibility and strength within the FDM options.
When 3D printing objects in clear, the final appears opaque, as with frosted glass.
If you need a specific material or colour, it may be possible we can order it in. Give us a call.
SLS (Selective laser Sintering) Materials:
Nylon (PA2200) is a strong and flexible plastic. PA2200 is white in colour. It is useful for the majority of applications. It can be made watertight through our sealing process, using a clear primer.
Nylon through the SLS service is particularly useful for creative snap-lock parts.
There is also a similar Nylon powder available in black.
It can be spray painted by using a plastic primer.
Other Materials:
Colour 3D Printing is generally performed with a sandstone like powder. This powder is dipped into a resin for strength. However, it remains quite brittle and inflexible.
Metallic 3D Printing: Whilst metal 3d printing is available, it is typically much more expensive than casting options. Often 3D printing is used to create the original object, which is then cast. This allows digital design teams like Manifester to create incrediably precise objects in fine metals. Gold, silver, platinum, bronze, steel are just some of the most widely available options.
There are some metallic objects which are designed to benefit from a pure 3D Printing process. These objects, although metal, can be largely hollow. Digital designers (such as Manifester) take advantage of these possibilities to from parts lighter than traditionally cast parts. Boeing and Airbus are particularly interested in this technology for aerospace innovation.