MakerBot, a global leader in 3-D printing and a subsidiary of Stratasys, recently announced the addition of nylon to its growing portfolio of engineering-grade materials, bringing the total to eight for its Method platform (designed to bridge the gap between industrial and desktop 3-D printing).

Optimised for high abrasion-resistance, nylon is widely used for functional prototyping and end-use applications in the automotive, industrial products and consumer products industries.

Due to its high flexural, tensile and impact strength, nylon can be used for applications that require repetitive motions or applied force. Furthermore, it is heat-resistant up to 180°C.

Nadav Goshen, CEO of MakerBot, said: “The availability of eight materials for Method in less than a year underscores our commitment to customers.

“As we continue to rapidly expand our materials offerings, customers can choose from a variety of materials that offer different mechanical and thermal properties suited to their applications.

"Nylon’s unique combination of mechanical properties, accompanied with high heat-resistance, opens up a new set of applications for the Method platform, such as gears, ‘living hinges’ and repetitive-motion manufacturing fixtures.

“Engineers can also increase efficiencies in the workplace by using nylon for a range of end-use applications.”

Nylon is sensitive to moisture and can easily absorb water from the air.

This tendency can cause filament stored in even moderate humidity to produce parts with warping and deformation.

Method’s sealed material bays can keep Nylon free of damaging humidity, while a new spool-drying feature allows customers to use the Method X heated chamber to dry out nylon spools that have been affected by moisture.

Nylon is expected to ‘begin shipping’ in early 2020 and will be available in black.

More information can be found at the Web site (www.makerbot.com/3d-printers/materials/method-materials).