That design is offered by a Spanish vendor named Luis from his shop "Panzer vs. Tanks". The product is available in two material options, relatively inexpensive
"White Processed Versatile Plastic" which is in fact nylon, and a much more expensive material called
"Smooth Fine Detail Plastic", which is acrylic (chemically related to Plexiglas).* For static display models, "Smooth Fine Detail" is the better 3D-printed material.
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" 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)
- 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
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://modelmonkey.wixsite.com/modelmonkeyHope this helps!
Shapeways recently changed the names of some of their materials based on customer feedback. *Versatile Plastic" was formerly known as "Strong and Flexible" plastic. "Smooth Fine Detail Plastic" was formerly known as "Frosted Ultra Detail" (FUD). Same materials, just new names.