Shapeways

In this second edition of our Materials Spotlight Series, we turn to Nylon PA11 (Polyamide 11). A  high-performance, bio-based material designed for functional parts that demand impact resistance, ductility, and long-term reliability. From healthcare wearables to automotive components, PA11 helps bridge the gap between sustainability and mechanical strength. The article looks at: • What makes Nylon 11 different from other engineering plastics • How PA11 compares to PA12 in flexibility and moisture stability • How SLS and MJF technologies enable scalable, production-ready parts • Real-world applications across medical, industrial, automotive, and robotics sectors If you’re evaluating materials for resilient, end-use 3D printed parts, this is a practical guide worth reading. 👉 Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/enhUNEU2 #AdditiveManufacturing #3DMaterials #Nylon11

❓️ Who will be meeting Sheldon Kunenborg at Intertraffic Amsterdam to talk about manufacturing your drone?

In drone development, every gram matters. As drones become critical to infrastructure inspection, energy monitoring, and emergency response, hardware must evolve just as quickly as AI and autonomy. This article looks at: • The hardware bottlenecks slowing drone advancement • How digital manufacturing removes tooling constraints • Why customization at scale is becoming standard • The link between smarter production and long-term resilience 👉 Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/e_gq2jnu These themes are also discussed at Intertraffic Amsterdam this March. 🤝 Book a meeting with us here: https://lnkd.in/eJPS_-bK #AdditiveManufacturing #IntertrafficAmsterdam

Supply chain disruption is no longer the exception. It’s the operating environment. For manufacturers, resilience isn’t about building bigger buffers or stockpiling inventory. It’s about designing systems that can adapt quickly and intelligently when conditions change. This article explores how: • Multi-path production beats single-supplier redundancy • Capability matters more than raw capacity • Materials strategy can unlock entirely new supply chains • Control and flexibility must scale together True resilience isn’t reactive. It’s designed from the start. 👉 Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/eZQ4hAq7 #Manufacturing #SupplyChain #Resilience #AdditiveManufacturing #NextGenHardware

Great visit today to HP in Barcelona and the HP Drone Innovation Center with part of our commercial team. Seeing how drone platforms are developed and iterated reinforces how critical manufacturing agility has become. Hardware teams need to prototype fast, test fast, and increasingly produce low-volume end-use parts without the constraints of traditional tooling. Additive manufacturing is no longer just for prototyping, it is a key enabler of innovation in aerospace, robotics, and autonomous systems. Thank you to the HP team for the warm welcome and inspiring discussions. Gerton Maurix João SãoJosé Sheldon Kunenborg

Meet Shapeways at the Intertraffic Amsterdam 2026! Air mobility is evolving rapidly, transforming how we navigate cities, connect across borders, and shape the future of movement. From delivery logistics to public safety and urban planning, drones are becoming a core part of tomorrow’s mobility ecosystem. We’re excited to attend Intertraffic Amsterdam to connect with innovators, exchange insights on manufacturing challenges, and see how the industry is shaping the future of unmanned flight and smart mobility. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eJPS_-bK — book a meeting with us and let’s elevate mobility together. #AmsterdamDroneWeek #DroneTech #MobilityInnovation

Hardware manufacturing is changing at a fast pace. From digital-first design workflows to on-demand production and distributed supply chains, the next generation of hardware companies is building differently. In this blog, we share what we’ve learned about how modern hardware teams are rethinking prototyping, production, and scale. 👉 If you have not read it yet, have a look here: https://lnkd.in/ecuVFjew 💡 What shifts are you seeing in hardware manufacturing in 2026? 

When performance, durability, and flexibility all matter, material choice becomes a strategic decision — not just a technical one. In our Material Spotlight Series, we spotlight Nylon PA12 (Polyamide 12), one of the most trusted materials in 3D printing for engineers and product designers. From rapid prototyping to end-use parts, PA12 continues to bridge the gap between speed, reliability, and scalability. The article looks at: • What Nylon PA12 is — and why its low moisture absorption delivers superior shape stability • The key advantages that make it ideal for snap-fits, hinges, and durable mechanical parts • How Nylon PA12 performs in SLS vs. MJF 3D printing technologies • Real-world applications across automotive, aerospace, robotics, healthcare, and consumer products Whether you’re designing functional prototypes or scaling short-run production, this material remains a foundation you can trust. 👉 Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/eRTW6_3C 

In a recent Green New Perspectives podcast episode, Marleen Vogelaar, co-founder and CEO of Shapeways, shares an honest founder story about scaling, failure, and rebuilding manufacturing with sustainability at the core. If you haven’t listened to or read it yet, here’s what the conversation covers: • The early promise of democratized 3D printing — and the realities of scaling physical production • How venture pressure can clash with sustainable manufacturing models • What rebuilding Shapeways from bankruptcy taught Marleen about leadership and focus • Why measured growth, B2B clarity, and sustainability now define the company’s success It’s a read (and must-listen) for anyone building in hardware, manufacturing, or climate-conscious production. 👉 Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/ejGnz-uh 🎧 Listen to it here: https://lnkd.in/dJ27T4F2 

Materials are often treated as a constraint. But what if they’re actually a competitive advantage? In today’s manufacturing landscape, success isn’t just about speed or scale — it’s about having the right materials strategy to adapt, iterate, and respond when conditions change. The article looks at: • Why material choice is becoming a strategic decision, not a technical afterthought • How digital manufacturing expands access to production-ready materials • What this means for innovation, risk reduction, and long-term competitiveness If you’re rethinking how materials fit into your manufacturing strategy, this is a worthwhile read. 👉 Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/e_q_sp4Q Marleen Vogelaar