i.materialise
i.materialise rubber-like
i.materliaise is inviting makers out there with a penchant for experimentation to give its pioneering rubber-like material a try.
This malleable black substance is not entirely new on the scene, however, as it has been strutting its stuff down the fashion catwalks in the form of Iris van Herpen and Julia Koerner's creations - and now it's i.materialise's turn to put the substance to the test.
i.materialise is putting the material on trial until Sunday September 1st and over this period, rubber-like will cost €3 (£2.57) per cubic centimetre, plus €5 handling costs per model. For every extra copy of a model, the handling cost decreases from €5 to €3 per design.
As well as fashion applications, such as haut couture and accessories, rubber-like can be used for designs requiring shock absorption, gadgets and functional designs, as well as models that are then squeezable.
Rubber-like is only available in one colour at the moment and after some experimentation, i.materialise has settled on black, which offers the best look and surface quality.
As the black dye is a post treatment, however, it means the material is not as elastic as actual rubber and although it is flexible it does have its limits.
So i.materialise is keen to see how the maker community responds to rubber-like and is inviting 3D printing enthusiasts to buy a sample.
US makers will have to wait a little longer, however, as the company is not yet allowed to sell rubber-like in the US, nor can customers import objects made from this material into the US. i.materialise is working to resolve both of these issues.
