Description
Models in polyamide are constructed from a white, very fine, granular powder. The result is a strong, somewhat flexible material that can take small impacts and resist some pressure while being bent. The surface has a sandy, granular look, and is slightly porous.
Material samples
Color
- Natural White
- Dyed Black
- Dyed Blue
- Dyed Red
- Dyed Grey
- Spray Painted White
- Spray Painted Black
- Velvet Pink
- Velvet Yellow
- Velvet Blue
- Velvet Green
- Velvet Black
Dyed models can be max 150x150x150 mm big.
Velvet models has to be between 50x50x50 mm and 150x150x150 mm
Typical use
Polyamide can be used for complex models, concept models, small series of models (several copies of a model), lamps, and functional models. This technique allows the greatest freedom of design of all 3D printing techniques.
Technology
Selective laser sintering is used to build your design with this material. The models are printed layer by layer by a laser that draws thin lines in the powder, which melts and bonds it together in order to form a thin layer of the model. After a layer is printed, a new layer of fresh powder is spread over the surface by a roller. The printer has a print chamber that is heated to just below the melting point of the powder; the laser beam adds the extra energy to melt the powder, forming a solid model. After a print job is finished, the result is a big block of heated powder with the printed models contained inside.
Additional information
- Polyamide is a material that is perfect for beginning-designers who want a well-priced model, a maximum freedom of creation, and who don’t want to be bothered with the limitations of the printing process.
- The walls of your model need to be 0.8/1 mm thick and on-surface details or imprints (show example) can be 0.3 mm.
- Polyamide can resist temperatures of up to 86° Celsius/186° Fahrenheit.
- Polyamide models are not suited for outdoor use as they absorb moisture. However, in some cases the material can be treated to make it watertight.
- Be careful for models with large, flat surfaces or plates (< 25 cm). When such a model cools down, it can deform. The deformation process is known as warping.
- The surface can be smoothed by putting it in a tub with stones that rub against the model when the tub vibrates at a high frequency. Models that don’t have tiny, protruding features, or that don’t need sharp edges, can be smoothed. Mechanical smoothing is available upon request.