Shapeways recently changed the names of some of its materials based on customer feedback.
"White Strong and Flexible" is now
"White Processed Versatile Plastic". This material is nylon.
"Frosted Ultra Detail (FUD)" is now
"Smooth Fine Detail Plastic". This material is acrylic, chemically related to Plexiglas.
"Frosted Extreme Detail (FXD)" is now
"Smoothest Fine Detail Plastic". This material is also acrylic.
Same materials, new names.
To echo and emphasize earlier comments, these 3D-printed materials do not behave like injection-molded polystyrene or other resins. Our years of modeling experience can actually work against us when it comes to using 3D-printed materials.
"Versatile Plastic" and "Fine Detail" 3D-printed materials are very different. Their cost is very different, too, and there are several reasons for that. Each of these materials has its own strengths and weaknesses. Here's a brief summary of them:
"Versatile Plastic" (nylon) is generally not suitable for static display models where surface smoothness and detail are important. "Versatile Plastic" nylon is better suited for large-scale Radio Control models where material strength and durability are more important than surface smoothness and detail.
- relatively inexpensive
- strong and water-tight, takes a beating
- surface texture is pebbly
- print layers are relatively thick meaning print lines are very noticeable
- does not sand easily, surfaces are difficult to smooth
- accepts fewer primers and paints, generally only those made specifically for nylon. Few other paints will adhere to it.
- fewer adhesives work with it
In my Shapeways shop (Model Monkey), this material is only offered for very large-scale products intended for Radio Control models (<2% of my 1900+ designs). A warning about this material is included in the product description. Most of my customers are only building static display models so the other 98% of my products are only offered in "Smooth Fine Detail" and/or "Smoothest Fine Detail" acrylic. Nameplates are available in real metals like brass, bronze and silver, too.
"Smooth Fine Detail Plastic" and "Smoothest Fine Detail Plastic" materials are both the same acrylic made from the same printer (the difference between them is how the print resolution is set, giving different layer thicknesses - "Smoothest" has the thinnest layers, just 16 microns).
"Fine Detail" acrylic material is best for static display models.- relatively expensive
- relatively brittle, and therefore unsuitable for radio control
- easily sandable
- cuts easily
- surfaces can be further smoothed, if desired, using an "Air Eraser" without harming detail:
https://www.harborfreight.com/air-erase ... 69277.html
- uses a waxy material to support overhanging features during printing. Most, if not all, of the waxy support material is melted away in a low-temperature oven at the factory before it is shipped to the customer
- stubborn waxy bits can be cleaned easily in dish-detergent (Dawn, Fairy, Simple Green, baby shampoo, etc.) and hot water (< 175 degrees F or 79 degrees C)
- accepts many more kinds of paint including popular hobby acrylic paints and enamel paints
- must be exposed to direct sunlight or other UV light source for a few hours by the customer to fully cure the plastic, a must if using enamel paint. This is called "post-curing".
- should be painted soon after post-curing and cleaning to seal the plastic
To prepare or clean acrylic, a good "rule of thumb" to consider: if the cleaning product is known to harm Plexiglas, it is almost certain to harm "Fine Detail Plastic".
Here's a link to detailed descriptions of the various material choices offered by Shapeways:
https://www.shapeways.com/materialsHere's a link to some other advice and FAQs as part of my shop's catalog:
https://www.model-monkey.com/blank-pageThat advice is available in 12 languages (click the flag for language choice). Suggestions for improvements and corrections to translation errors are appreciated.