3D Printing at Seymour.Ink
3D printing lets us turn digital ideas into physical objects using layer‑by‑layer manufacturing. It’s a practical way to create small parts, prototypes, replacement pieces, and custom items.
How it works
3D printing builds objects by stacking thin layers of material until the shape is complete. A digital model guides the process, and the printer follows that model with precision. This method is ideal for low‑volume production, custom shapes, and items that would be difficult or expensive to make using traditional manufacturing.
Material
For the type of items we produce, we prefer PLA (Polylactic Acid) because it comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes. Our higher‑end machines can print up to sixteen different colors on a single layer, so having materials with broad color and texture options is important to us. We also avoid frequent material changes because switching filaments can clog nozzles, so most of our printers stay set up for PLA. We’ve also had good results printing with TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane). TPU is a flexible material available in different durometers, ranging from fairly stiff to almost rubber‑like. It has become popular in footwear manufacturing, which has led to a big increase in available colors. That renewed variety has caught our attention again, so we may start running TPU more regularly.