Excellence in additive manufacturing is completely dependent on quality, high-performance 3D printing materials. As the range of applications relevant to different types of 3D printing technology continues to accelerate, many designers and engineers find it challenging to recognize which materials and technologies are most compatible for their industrial 3D printing designs. Outsourcing 3D printing services to OTTO makes this easy from the beginning though, with 3D printing software driving production.

Manufacturers are drawn to different types of 3D printing technology due to a wide range of benefits, from speed in turnaround to the ability to 3D print on demand and store entire inventories on digital file; however, it is clear that the key draw for this technology is the ability to make complex designs and manufacture them in strong yet lightweight materials, even in the capacity as a metal 3D printing service. Designers are allowed much greater flexibility and control, along with the ability to engage in rapid prototyping as needed, create an unlimited number of iterations for testing during product development, and make changes quickly. And while that allows for a lot of excitement and exploration in the design process–as well as unprecedented innovation–complex designs mean more complexities overall in terms of choosing the proper resources and ensuring printability too. 

OTTO completely streamlines the entire process, providing outsourced 3D printing services beginning with ordering and ending with expedited delivery. For everything in between, OTTO requires no capital expenditure for you to start offering endless possibilities for your own manufacturing customers right away. It all begins with access to a continually expanding list of advanced materials, technology, and finishes–without any capital expenditure required up front.

Metal 3D Printing Service

Processed Stainless Steel 17-4PH - Used for many industrial applications such as brackets, clasps, and replacement parts, this metal 3D printing material is commonly preferred because of corrosion resistance and high levels of strength and hardness. This material is a single alloy, 100% Stainless Steel material. Silver in color, Processed Stainless Steel 17-4 PH has a granular finish that can be polished. 

Technology: Binder Jetting is used for 3D printing metal powder like Processed Stainless Steel 17-4 PH. Relying on inkjet head to apply a binding agent to the print bed and glue the dispersed metal powder particles together, Binder Jetting technology fuses layers until the desired structure is complete. Post-processing includes de-powdering and curing through sintering in an industrial furnace. 

Find out more about the technology, material, and design guidelines for Processed Stainless Steel 17-4 PH here.

Resin-Based 3D Printing Technology

Ultracur3D RG 35 - Used for functional prototypes, jigs and fixtures, and very detailed parts, this highly reactive photopolymer is recommended for projects requiring rigid material. Ultracur3D® RG 35 stands apart because it is environmentally stable, strong, and accurate. This resin 3D printing material maintains its strong mechanical properties when exposed to UV light or humidity. It is also moisture resistant. Industrial applications include large parts, fluid flow models, connectors, and electrical casings. OTTO offers Ultracur3D® RG 35 in a lightly sanded transparent finish.

Technology: Digital Light Processing (DLP) is a resin-based technology centered around the vat of liquid photopolymer material, cured by the digital light source layer by layer, building the final industrial 3D printed part.

Find out more about the technology, material, and design guidelines for Ultracur3D® RG 35 here.

Powder 3D Printing 

Arnite T AM1210 (P) - one of the first PBT powders made for powder bed use and SLS 3D printing technology, this material is popular because it is so easy to process for powder 3D printing, and is resistant to both high and low temperatures. Arnite T AM1210 (P) offers excellent mechanical properties, leading to 3D printed parts that are structurally sound, and typically used in electrical engineering and automotive applications.

Technology: Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a powder-based technology, activated as powder is dispersed over the print bed. A powerful CO2 laser traces the 3D design into each layer, scanning and fusing each one together until the desired structure is complete.

OTTO offers this material in a standard matte finish.

Find out more about the technology, material, and design guidelines for Arnite T AM1210 (P) here.

Nylon 11 [SLS] - This material is a robust white polyamide offering great tensile strength, durability, impact resistance, and flexibility. Due to its biocompatibility, Nylon 11 [PA11(SLS)] is uniquely suited for manufacturing items like exterior medical devices, automotive parts, mechanical devices, and hinges.

Technology: Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)  

OTTO offers this material in a standard matte finish. 

Find out more about the materials, technology, and design guidelines here.

Nylon 12 (SLS) - This material is a strong polyamide relied on worldwide for industrial products. Nylon 12 truly lives up to its name, setting it apart from other materials due to its ability to act flexible for thinner structures and moving mechanical parts, but also rugged and stiff for substantial, end-use parts in applications like fixtures and medical devices like prosthetics and diagnostic machine parts.

Technology: Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

OTTO offers this material in the following 3D printing finishes:

• White Processed Versatile Plastic 
• Black Natural Versatile Plastic 
• White Natural Versatile Plastic

Find out more about the materials, technology, and design guidelines for Nylon 12 here.

MFJ PA12 - Commonly used in industrial applications because of its excellent elasticity and strength, this material is recommended for prototypes as well as high-performance end parts. Featuring chemical- and water-resistance, this material is used for parts like prosthetics and orthotics, mechanical and structural products, and more.

Technology: Multi Jet Fusion is a powder-based technology capable of enormously powerful 3D printing production. MJF 3D printing is unique in its use of inkjet arrays moving back and forth to release fusing and detailing agents onto the powder dispersed onto the build platform–in comparison to the use of laser heat or glue.

Find out more about the materials, technology, and design guidelines for MJF PA12 here.

Polypropylene - Extremely versatile, this material is recommended for many different industrial applications, offering superior chemical resistance, low moisture absorption, and long-term durability. 

Technology: Multi Jet Fusion

OTTO offers this material in natural, featuring a slightly rough surface with a matte finish.

Find out more about the materials, technology, and design guidelines for Polypropylene here.

 Offering Additive Manufacturing to Your Customers is Easy  

Many traditional manufacturers are adding 3D printing to their lineup of services, enjoying the streamlined, outsourcing 3D printing service of OTTO. While it may be seem like an enormous undertaking to delve into purchasing 3D printers, stores of material inventory, and other expensive, associated resources, all of that stress is eliminated as OTTO performs the heavy lifting with features such as:

• Secure uploads for customers, user-driven product configuration, instant quotes, and delivery of high-quality 3D printed parts.
• 3D model analysis after uploading, with file fixing and customized feedback available too.
• The ability to make a profit on every order. Margins can also be set as desired, easily changed from the default settings.
• A complete white-label solution highlighting your company front and center, ensuring that you keep your customer throughout the entire lifecycle, from the concept phase to full-scale production.

Parts can be made for any application, whether 3D printing drone frames, automotive parts, electronics and robotics, medical models, or a wide variety of mechanical components.

About Us

OTTO enables manufacturers to offer 3D printing to their customers without any capital expenditure. Our manufacturing enterprise software is easily integrated, simplifying production of 3D printed parts in any volume with a wide variety of suitable materials and technologies—meeting the most advanced standards for any manufacturing enterprise.  

Request a demo to learn more.