http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php Shapeways: Bring your creativity to life in 3D http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55162&th=11133#msg_55162
It's great to have polished colored WSF.

So, I am reading in this new e-mail that:

"Most excitingly, all Colored Strong & Flexible products will now be polished first. By polishing and then dying, 3D prints look and feel like final products so the quality rivals what you can find in a store. "

OK - but will you keep an option to still have colored objects that are NOT polished first?
I would need that option for some of my bracelets. I actually like how non polished feels for that particular purpose.

Can you keep that option? Just as it was - non polished but colored?

TNX,
Igor


]]> alienology 2012-10-10T21:19:19-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55163&th=11133#msg_55163
Unfortunately not. We are moving towards more consumer level materials and based on feedback from makers and shoppers alike, most people prefer the polished objects.

We are doing this to increase the desirability of your products and hopefully make them more appealing for sale!

You can still do black and white in unpolished for now.

Best,
Natalia]]> natalia 2012-10-10T22:28:19-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55166&th=11133#msg_55166 certainly not like polished railway carriage underframes. You seem to be making assumptions based on only part of the market.]]> BillBedford 2012-10-10T23:48:42-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55176&th=11133#msg_55176 it too much hassle to get the vivid and even dyeing of finely detailed models right.

The tumble grinder probably has the additional advantage of removing the last few bits of
loose material that survived the normal cleaning. Based on Murphy's principle, I would expect
those to normally come off after dyeing, leaving white specks.

With black dye, one can probably just chuck such a part back into the soup - it can't get
blacker than black anyway. (Same goes for models where recessed parts got less than
their share of the dye.) With red and blue, repeated dyeing would probably make them too
dark, or at least come out uneven. I wonder how such problematic cases are handled now -
hope the customer accepts it as is, hand-paint over the spots, or even reprint behind the scenes ?
]]> mkroeker 2012-10-11T08:49:52-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55182&th=11133#msg_55182

Quote:

You can still do black and white in unpolished for now.

(my italics)

Suggests that SW wants to limit the use of unpolished SF. If this is true than there will be a knock-on effect on the maximum size they will allow in SF.]]> BillBedford 2012-10-11T11:08:56-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55183&th=11133#msg_55183 not by the size of the printer. I do not see a viable business model in printing only
small, simple shapes, so I would hope that the current decision hinges on the dyeing
process alone.
If they switch to some less rustic polishing process in the future, one that is also safe
for fragile details, most customers will probably be content with polished objects.
(Such a decision would adversely affect only those cases where rough surfaces are
actually desired for mechanic or artistic purposes (?)
]]> mkroeker 2012-10-11T11:49:45-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55190&th=11133#msg_55190
Just to clarify some concerns you have raised:

Bill, not to worry! You will still be able to order black and white in unpolished.

As mkroeker noticed, we have had consistency issues with the colors in the past so are improving the color palette to be consistent and vibrant.

Black and White will NOT be affected. You will still be able to order black and white in unpolished. We are investigating ways to add black polished as well in the future.

We do want to enable you to make bigger polished color models and working hard to make this happen as quickly as possible.

We really appreciate all your feedback, please keep sharing any questions or concerns you have

Best,
Natalia

]]> natalia 2012-10-11T14:41:57-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55194&th=11133#msg_55194
Just wanted to add that the new dying process is MUCH more sophisticated and gives a much more even coating.

We are expecting to see greater consistency both in coverage on each model, and across batches.

The dye itself has two components, one that soaks into the 3D printed nylon structure, and one that coats the surface, giving a much better, even finish.

The 3D printer we will be using for the new colors has a higher resolution then the current colors.

This means that tolerances will be tighter, finer layers and better resolution.

Overall it is a massive improvement to the current colors that I am personally REALLY happy to see.

Please do keep the feedback coming, especially when you have some new color prints to see and feel..

We have more on the way...]]> duann 2012-10-11T15:01:32-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55195&th=11133#msg_55195 also, when we order red or purple now, will we get the polished? ]]> tomrust 2012-10-11T16:16:15-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55196&th=11133#msg_55196 So what you order now will have to be tickled pink, what you order in a week will be pickled in ink.

]]> mkroeker 2012-10-11T16:29:10-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55200&th=11133#msg_55200 ]]> natalia 2012-10-11T16:45:06-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55208&th=11133#msg_55208 gibell 2012-10-11T17:14:50-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55211&th=11133#msg_55211
Because we are moving the process in house, we are able to make it cheaper for you.

(Overall, cheaper. To be precise, very small models under 2cc will be a tiny bit more expensive due to startup cost)]]> natalia 2012-10-11T17:36:46-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55212&th=11133#msg_55212 duann wrote on Thu, 11 October 2012 15:01

The 3D printer we will be using for the new colors has a higher resolution then the current colors.

This means that tolerances will be tighter, finer layers and better resolution.



Interesting.
Does that mean we could get items at WSF prices with better resolution? Will that printer be available for unpolished items?

Greetings
Dragoman]]> Dragoman 2012-10-11T18:21:39-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55213&th=11133#msg_55213
It is only the colored nylons that are currently in the lower resolution machine.
]]> duann 2012-10-11T18:37:14-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55227&th=11133#msg_55227 duann wrote on Thu, 11 October 2012 15:01
Just wanted to add that the new dying process is MUCH more sophisticated and gives a much more even coating.
We are expecting to see greater consistency both in coverage on each model, and across batches.
The dye itself has two components, one that soaks into the 3D printed nylon structure, and one that coats the surface, giving a much better, even finish.


That is great, I am interested to hear more details on the new dyeing process! Have you experimented with dying the pieces in a pressure cooker? I would think increasing the pressure would help infuse the parts with dye.

I do most of the dyeing myself, but if the new process is good I may have to switch. The one remaining thing I would find useful is to dye parts of a single model different colors ...
]]> gibell 2012-10-11T20:12:51-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55228&th=11133#msg_55228
It is not with a pressure cooker, that sound interesting though, similar to the way in which our elasto was impregnated.

multiple colors would be tricky for us at our volume..]]> duann 2012-10-11T20:19:59-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55231&th=11133#msg_55231
Just to let you know, the next Shapeways Live is scheduled for: Monday October 15th 8pm UTC (4pm EST for those in the US)

I think we'll go back to UStream for this one, so more people can participate and we're not limited to 10.

We can chat about the new colors we're introducing and answer any questions.

Looking forward to seeing you all again!

Natalia]]> natalia 2012-10-11T21:06:19-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55493&th=11133#msg_55493 ]]> gibell 2012-10-17T14:07:01-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55503&th=11133#msg_55503 ]]> mkroeker 2012-10-17T16:16:55-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55526&th=11133#msg_55526
Stay tuned, it's not far away!

Best,
Natalia]]> natalia 2012-10-17T18:47:58-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55539&th=11133#msg_55539 ]]> Youknowwho4eva 2012-10-17T22:34:36-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55541&th=11133#msg_55541 ]]> gibell 2012-10-17T23:27:21-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55551&th=11133#msg_55551 says
colored WSF will be 10% cheaper until Oct 31, so thelist you got is probably correct.]]> mkroeker 2012-10-18T06:56:12-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55560&th=11133#msg_55560 Youknowwho4eva 2012-10-18T11:39:36-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55562&th=11133#msg_55562 Youknowwho4eva wrote on Thu, 18 October 2012 11:39
Non polished colors are no longer available, so all the colors you see are polished.


except the black according to what I have read here, which is pretty confusing. I think there should be a note saying what is polished and what is not.

I also would really like to see black polished - what is the reason this isn't currently available as an option along with the others?]]> Zeeflyboy 2012-10-18T12:50:17-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55563&th=11133#msg_55563 Youknowwho4eva 2012-10-18T13:01:01-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55564&th=11133#msg_55564
Could you be so kind as to post here if you hear when it might be available? I have some parts waiting that I would love to try in a new black and polished material....

Cheers]]> Zeeflyboy 2012-10-18T13:04:12-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55566&th=11133#msg_55566 . I can tell you these colors and black are just the beginning. ]]> Youknowwho4eva 2012-10-18T13:09:07-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55574&th=11133#msg_55574
The one thing that I find confusing is that the new colors are not listed as "polished". People may assume they are not if they haven't read the latest announcements ...]]> gibell 2012-10-18T14:59:23-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55599&th=11133#msg_55599
Correct all Nylon SLS colors are polished by default EXCEPT for black.

Black is a different dyeing process that reacts poorly to polished models.

We will soon be moving to polished black nylon so all of your designs will be consistently awesome.

]]> duann 2012-10-18T18:02:34-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55614&th=11133#msg_55614 duann wrote on Thu, 11 October 2012 15:01
Hey All,

...
The 3D printer we will be using for the new colors has a higher resolution then the current colors.

This means that tolerances will be tighter, finer layers and better resolution.

...


If you are using a higher resolution printing for the new polished colors it would be good to do some resolution tests with the new printing. This would be similar to the Shapeways Design rules & detail resolution for SLS 3D printing on this page:
http://www.shapeways.com/tutorials/design_rules_for_3d_print ing
If there are higher resolutions options that Shop owners know how to design with, then they can utilize these to make new designs that may not have been possible before. It will also give designers the information they need on what to expect when they print with the new colors.

Also, will you be using the new higher resolution with White Strong and Flexible polished also?

The new colors look really great. But for the models I make I would just like some information on what various resolution models will look like before I start using these.

Best Regards]]> Steve Winter 2012-10-18T19:49:14-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=55646&th=11133#msg_55646 to mean the same model they are/were already using for WSF. So there are probably no adjustments to be made on
our (customer) side, it is just that print quality should look a tiny bit nicer than previous dyed models as a side effect
of retiring the older hardware. ]]> mkroeker 2012-10-19T12:06:13-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=56275&th=11133#msg_56275
WSF is not polished, lower resolution machine
WPSF is polished, lower resolution machine
BSF is not polished, lower resolution machine
all other colored WSF is polished and printed in higher resolution?]]> thomashuang.net 2012-11-04T13:51:05-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=56276&th=11133#msg_56276

Quote:

Dragoman, we are already using this 3D Printer for white nylon, both polished and not. (WSF PWSF) It is only the colored nylons that are currently in the lower resolution machine

this should probably be :

WSF is not polished
WSFP is polished
BSF is not polished
all other colored WSF is polished

and all use the same ("high") resolution printer, while the old "colored WSF" before the process upgrade
was done on a lower resolution machine that has since been decomissioned. ]]> mkroeker 2012-11-04T14:19:52-00:00 http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=rview&goto=56277&th=11133#msg_56277
All SF now made with the higher resolution?]]> thomashuang.net 2012-11-04T14:28:29-00:00