Nov.26, 2014
ProtoPlant, makers of Proto-pasta, has announced today two new materials for their line of exotic 3D printer filament: Stainless Steel PLA and Magnetic Iron PLA.
"Engineered for printability, these materials print as easily as PLA, but feel and look like metal." explains Sara Shepherd, who runs ProtoPlant's community outreach efforts.
Proto-pasta Stainless Steel PLA can be polished or brushed for a brilliant metallic finish, or left unfinished for a cast metal look.
A ring in Proto-pasta Stainless Steel PLA
The Magnetic Iron PLA is very unique. Ever needed to 3D print something in a magnetic material? Proto-pasta Magnetic Iron PLA attacks magnets, making prints far more "attractive" than before. This opens up a new range of practical uses and fun possibilities for 3D printed objects. On top of that, prints can also be oxidized for a unique, rusty patina finish.
A print in Proto-pasta Magnetic Iron that has been submerged in a salt water solution in two days, resulting in a rust finish.
Both materials will be available for pre-order on the Proto-pasta website on Black Friday, November 28th, and will be released in early 2015.
"We are a maker-based, small business empowering makers and creators around the world," says ProtoPlant founder, Dustin Cram.
"I'm excited about the further melding of craft and technology, where one can create something precises from a machine and add the human, artistic element," says Alex Dick, ProtoPlant 3D Printing Innovator.
"Finally, we are no longer limited to cheap feeling plastic trinkets! This stuff is amazing; it feels and looks like metal, none of my friends believe I printed it," adds Shepherd.
Proto-pasta filament is made on location at the ProtoPlant warehouse in Vancouver, WA, USA. This week, ProtoPlant celebrated their one year anniversary of the successful crowdsourcing campaign which funded Proto-pasta. November last year, ProtoPlant's carbon fiber PLA 3D printer filament was successfully funded, raising more than $36,000 from 500 backers. Now Proto-pasta continues to develop high quality, high performing filament for home 3D printers. They plan to reveal their next filament in January 2015 at the Consumer Electronics Show.
The company is currently hosting an art contest which invites everyone to design the spool label for Proto-pasta Stainless Steel PLA. The contest winner will be the first to receive this new material, and will have their artwork shared across the world.
Check out the video and more photos below:
Finishing techniques for Proto-pasta Stainless Steel PLA, from Left to Right: Unfinished print, wire brush finish, polishing wheel, and rock tumbled finish. The head is a scan of Alexander the Great
Close up of an unfinished and polished print in Proto-pasta Stainless Steel PLA.
3D Hubb's Marvin in Proto-pasta Stainless Steel PLA. From left to right: Unfinished, wire brushed, and polished.
An Oregon pendent in Proto-pasta Stainless Steel PLA, polished on a metal buffing wheel.
Posted in 3D Printing Materials
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So it looks like steel but how strong is it?
Steffen wrote at 12/6/2014 7:24:25 PM:
How about temperature resiliance - at which temperature do the new materials begin to melt?
Spinnetti wrote at 11/27/2014 12:09:32 AM:
What about Aluminum?
Billy the Barbarian wrote at 11/26/2014 10:26:39 PM:
Nice looking results from the stainless, but we are going to need tin coated nozels as this stuff will wreck brass nozzles in no time.
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