Good news, everyone!
Over the past month or so, Shapeways production team has been hard at work to improve and research dyeing options for the Strong & Flexible laser sintered nylon material. In particular, we’ve been focusing getting the black just right. Previously, we have gotten some feedback from the community that Black Strong & Flexible has a blue tint in it. Eek! Well, after some time in testing and iterating, I’m happy to announce the updated Black Strong & Flexible. Check out the difference:
Like all of our materials, we will continue to work and improve the quality. We are starting a new production process so if you have any feedback on the products you will start receiving in a few days, please let us know! The process will never be perfect, but its your feedback that will help us get closer and closer.
And for those of you out there who are already dreaming of other material options: yes, polishing this material is currently being tested as well. And yes, we are exploring a variety of different colors. Any request for specific color for the Strong & Flexible family? Any request for additional finishing options for the Strong & Flexible Family? Leave us a comment and let us know!
Happy creating!
Nancy
Is it still being dyed, or is it now using black nylon dust to start with?
Todd it is still using a dying process for now.
We will let everyone know if we start using an entirely different coloring process
Is it my monitor? Should I stop working so late? The image looks more like green versus grey over here… but I trust you know what you’re doing, keep it up. Blacker black sounds good.
ah, fixed, I had the post apocalyptic filter on.
Cheers
I would really like to see a few different flesh color options so we could make action figure or doll heads. I would think there would be a lot of people interested in that.
Maybe, have you suggested it on User Voice?
Can we have orange? We would like orange so much! We will let you guys know what we think of the new black, its hard to tell off the screen.
Orange huh?
Give it a vote on User Voice and see if others are interested.
The black is difficult to compare in a photograph, but if I put against a white background it looks REALLY black…
Thanks
You may have seen the squishy new material we have been playing with and the blacker black, but it is never the same as holding them in your hands, feeling the texture, smelling the love. If you are in NYC join us for our MeetUp on Thursday night to ta
I’ve had some issues with the black dye from my iPad wraps staining Apple’s Smart Cover (when it’s in the lighter colors).
So I would really push for the pigmented nylon powder for black at least.
But blacker black is better. Also what about that purple grey? I’d scrap the current color offerings and bring back summer blue, Halloween orange, and that bright green you had before. A nice magenta would be good too.
We are doing a lot of work into colors. The next batch will be permanent, we found a great red (it’s a bit red-orange) that might suit your needs. We’re also doing dives into industry trends for what has been selling well to make sure we get the best colors for you guys. We are thinking of these colors: Red-red (more on the orange side than the current red, which is on a more pink side), lighter blue, and a deep magenta-pink. These colors have been popping up a lot in tech gadgets and jewelry design and we think they might inspire more awesome 3D printed goodness.
What do you guys think?
sounds good Nancy. If you added anymore I’d like to have a bright lime green, but those 3 as permanent colors will be good.
How light would the lighter blue be? I’m working on some two-player games, and I like to have two colors that contrast but work together, like the current red and indigo (I was thinking of black and white, but I expect white would soil too easily for pieces that are handled a lot).