3D Printing Materials Formulation, modification and volume production — from desktop filament to engineering compounds
Kunshan 3D Seeker develops, produces and sells high-performance 3D printing materials. Our founding team brings over ten years of compounding experience across PLA, ABS, TPU, PET, PETG, PEEK, PA, PC and photopolymer resin, converting low-cost recycled plastics into higher-value materials.
Six families, fromdesktop to engineering
Material selection is a balance of performance and process: heat resistance, toughness, stiffness, surface quality and cost pull against each other. Define the operating envelope first, then the family, then the grade and price.
Commodity filament
PLA, PLA+, ABS+ and PETG for prototypes, display parts and general functional components — easy to print and cost-efficient.
From CNY 27/kgElastomers
TPU 95A for rebound and flex fatigue resistance: footwear, sporting goods, flexible structures and wearables. Flame-retardant and thermally conductive versions on request.
CNY 45/kgEngineering plastics
PA, PC, PET and PEEK systems for heat, wear and load-bearing applications; require high-temperature hardware and tuned profiles.
Quoted per projectPhotopolymer resin
Water-washable resin compatible with SLA / DLP / LCD, delivering fine detail, low odour and smooth surfaces.
Quoted per specificationModified compounds
Compounds for extrusion, injection moulding and pelletising, formulated for mechanical, thermal or flame-retardant targets.
Quoted by tonnageEffect & functional grades
Silk, dual-colour, glow, marble and matte effects, plus flame retardancy, thermal conductivity and anti-static options.
Custom developmentMaterialcomparison
A qualitative overview for shortlisting. Measured tensile strength and heat deflection data for specific grades are available during selection.
| Material | Stiffness | Toughness | Heat | Print difficulty | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | High | Moderate | Low | Low | Models, prototypes, education, décor |
| PLA+ | High | Good | Low | Low | Display and semi-functional parts |
| ABS+ | High | Good | Medium | Medium | Mechanical parts, housings, impact parts |
| PETG | Medium | Good | Medium | Low | Waterproof parts, clips, outdoor use |
| TPU 95A | Low | Excellent | Medium | Higher | Footwear, seals, flexible structures |
| PA / PC | High | Good | Higher | High | Industrial parts, gears, jigs |
| PEEK | High | Good | High | Very high | Aerospace, medical, high-temperature parts |
| Photopolymer resin | — | Moderate | Medium | Medium | Figurines, dental models, fine parts |
In-houseformulation and compounding
- Own formulations: core recipes and modification processes are developed internally, so composition can be adjusted to target properties rather than sourced off the shelf.
- Recyclate upgrading: sorting, washing and formulation compensation turn low-cost recycled plastics into stable printing materials, balancing cost and performance.
- Equipment and process: imported core-component production equipment with inline laser diameter measurement and batch sample retention.
- Facility: a 4,000 m² laboratory and production space with ten experimental and production lines already running.
- Programme backing: supported by the Tongji University sub-fund of the Shanghai Technology Entrepreneurship Fund and the Kunshan innovation talent programme.
Four-stepdevelopment path
Requirement definition
Application, target properties (strength, heat, flexibility, flame retardancy), printer and process window.
Formulation
Match base resin and additives from existing systems, with expected performance and cost range.
Sampling
Pilot batches with measured mechanical and print performance; iterate the formulation if needed.
Volume supply
Agree colour, packaging and acceptance criteria, then move to stable production with private-label options.
Routine modifications usually reach sample shipment in 2–4 weeks; new systems or dedicated testing are assessed case by case. We present measured data before pricing, so specifications and quotes stay aligned.
Typicalindustries
Medical support
Dental models, orthoses, rehabilitation aids and anatomical models requiring surface accuracy and consistency.
Education & research
Teaching models, lab fixtures and research coupons — low odour, safe handling and batch repeatability.
Design & gifting
Figurines, trophies and décor that depend on silk, dual-colour and marble effects.
Footwear & sports
Midsoles, insoles and guards using TPU grades for rebound and flex resistance.
Industrial fixtures
Jigs, gears, housings and functional test parts in PETG, ABS+, PA and PC.
Automotive & electronics
Interior prototypes, cable sleeves and structural validation, with flame-retardant and heat-resistant options.
Material andcustomisation questions
Which 3D printing materials can you supply?
Polymer FDM filament across PLA, PLA+, ABS+, PETG, TPU, PET, PA and PC; high-performance photopolymer resin; and modified compound pellets. Effect grades such as silk, dual-colour, glow, marble and matte are available on request.
What can be modified in a formulation?
Typical directions include toughening, stiffness reinforcement, higher heat resistance, improved flow for high-speed printing, lower odour and warping, flame retardancy or thermal conductivity, and surface effect adjustment. Our team has over ten years of experience compounding PLA, ABS, TPU, PET, PETG, PEEK, PA, PC and photopolymer resin.
How long does custom material development take?
The standard path is requirement definition, formulation, lab sample, mechanical and print validation, then pilot production. A routine modification usually reaches sample shipment in 2–4 weeks; new systems requiring dedicated testing are quoted case by case.
Can recycled content match virgin material performance?
Through sorting, washing, compatibilisers and formulation compensation we can approach virgin performance in most applications while cutting cost significantly. Where strength or heat resistance is critical, we test first and set the ratio from measured data rather than promising beyond capability.
What is the minimum order quantity?
Stock colours start from single spools. Custom colours and custom formulations are assessed per project; we usually recommend a small trial run to validate print yield before moving to scheduled volume supply.
Have a target specification to hit?
Share the application, target properties and printer — we will confirm feasibility before quoting. Phone +86 188 1759 8503 (Mr. Xie), email xiejinlong109@163.com.