Shapeways has announced a better version of their Frosted Ultra Detail material. No word yet on pricing. If you go to the link and scroll down, they posted a picture of an O scale vanity. Not a huge difference in quality, but it's a bit better. Once Carbon3D's CLIP technology becomes commonplace, this could all become obsolete anyway.
http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=msg&th=26598&start=0&
Steve S
I wonder if those with Shapeways stores will have to add FXD to their material choices or will Shapeways do it automaticaly. Some items I have on my watch list show only FD which is being eliminated.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
We'll all have to add FXD on models for which we want to make it available. No pricing info yet, and we haven't been told whether we will be able to start adding the new material ahead of the implementation.
I expect to be pretty busy doing clerical work on my products April 15th!
If you want FXD on a certain product and it's not listed on the 15th, be sure to send a private message or e-mail to the designer to request it. Not everybody will be able to add it quickly. It seems some designers are still unaware of the change, despite an e-mail from Shapeways.
Steve Hunter
Steven S Shapeways has announced a better version of their Frosted Ultra Detail material. No word yet on pricing. If you go to the link and scroll down, they posted a picture of an O scale vanity. Not a huge difference in quality, but it's a bit better. Once Carbon3D's CLIP technology becomes commonplace, this could all become obsolete anyway. http://www.shapeways.com/forum/index.php?t=msg&th=26598&start=0& Steve S
Not to hijack the thread, but will it still be necessary to use heptane on products made using the new plastic? I've been leery of getting anything from Shapeways because of the volatility of heptane (Bestine, etc).
when I looked at the Shapeways Post Production Forum a couple of months ago, they were talking about the waxy substance being part of the production process. The part is surrounded in the wax while it is printed, then cleaned away with a residue remaining. It needs a strong solvent to remove it; like acetone. I tried a few things on my boxcab project, and acetone did the trick.
There is a video at the bottom of the Frosted Detail Material Information page describing the printing and cleaning process.https://www.shapeways.com/materials/frosted-detail-plastic?li=nav
I would expect the process for Ultra to be similar.
Thanks. Maybe I'll give it a try then.
I just checked Shapeways, and this is some detail on FXD:
https://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/20516-announcing-frosted-extreme-detail-or-fxd-our-highest-resolution-3d-printed-plastic-ever.html?li=home-fxd-learn
From the comments at the botttom of the blog, it looks like some people are having problems getting their existing FD and FUD designs to be accepted for printing in FXD, even though Shapeways says the old designs are fully compatible with FXD.
The good news is FXD does not need the waxy support that was needed for Frosted Detail (FD), which is being retired on the 29th. Cleanup of the item when you get it should be easier.
FXD costs $5.99 per cubic centimeter vs. $3.49 for FUD, and the boundng box / allowable size of item is smaller
I ordered CSX MU/ditch light housings and a CSX cab so I can hopefully make an SD 40-3. That discount they have going on and the knowledge that acetone night work were the determining factors in my decision to order.
I've never had any problem cleaning FUD with 95% isopropyl alcohol, readily available at any decent drug store. FXD is exactly the same acrylic material as FUD, only printed in thinner layers.
There should be no need to use nasty chemicals to clean these materials although many do.
I've ordered my first FXD model, an HO CNR steel framed Hart Convertible gondola. I'm looking forward to seeing it in a couple of weeks!
Uncle_Bob Not to hijack the thread, but will it still be necessary to use heptane on products made using the new plastic? I've been leery of getting anything from Shapeways because of the volatility of heptane (Bestine, etc).