3D printer manufacturer MakerBot is expanding its material portfolio for its METHOD 3D printer with the release of polyethylene terephthalate glycol or PETG. The PETG filament marks the first specialty material to be released by MakerBot for its METHOD printer.
MakerBot introduced its METHOD 3D printer in December 2018 in a bid to bridge the gap between the desktop and industrial 3D printer markets. The 3D printer integrates a number of features that make it suitable for professional use, including a circulated heated chamber, dual performance extruders and dry-sealed material bays—all at an affordable price point.
Now, with the release of its specialty PETG filament, MakerBot wants to give its METHOD users access to high-performance, engineering materials. The company also made public its intention to release more specialty materials for its desktop additive manufacturing system.
“PETG is the first in a new line of materials for METHOD,” said Nadav Goshen, CEO of MakerBot. “Our customers have been asking for different materials to use for a wide range of applications that require high strength and durability. PETG is one of the most widely used polymers today. Because of its advanced properties and versatility, we view PETG as an excellent material to be used on the manufacturing line and for short-run production runs.”
The new PETG filament enables engineers and designers to easily 3D print industrial parts, including functional prototypes, jigs and fixtures and even end-use parts. The material boasts a number of properties, including a heat deflection temperature of up to 70°C and strong layer adhesion, which minimizes shrinkage and warping throughout the print process. PETG is also notable for its good moisture and chemical resistance. For best results, the material should be used with an adhesive on the build plate.
METHOD users can also easily combine the new PETG material with water-soluble PVA supports thanks to the 3D printer’s dual extruders. In terms of print quality, the PETG filament reportedly prints smoothly and without any odour. Final parts have good ductility and a glossy surface finish.
PETG is becoming increasingly popular as a 3D printing material as it combines many of the attractive qualities of PLA and ABS, such as durability, strength and flexibility. The material is effectively a modified version of PET, a common household plastic used for water bottles and all manner of other items, that is less brittle and more impact resistant.
MakerBot’s new PETG filament is the latest filament designed for the company’s METHOD 3D printer. The company also has a line of Precision Materials for its professional 3D printer that includes MakerBot Tough, MakerBot PLA and MakerBot PVA. These materials cover a range of use cases for prototyping, jigs and fixtures and end-use parts.
The new PETG material is available to order in three colours: natural, red and black, and is priced at $69 per spool.
