I don’t know about yoPu, but one of my favorite things to do at some of the 3D printing trades shows is collect as many samples of filament as I can get my hands on. I’m a big proponent of material advancements within the 3D printing space, and I feel as though there are a tremendous amount of filament options out there that most of us have never had a chance to try out. While I’m not sure that everyone else feels the same way as I do, I do know for a fact that two men do.
Tim Kay and Hassan Al-Fattal both believe that there is a need for what they call a sample filament depot. They came up with quite a unique idea, one which allows for the sampling of different filaments from different manufacturers at very low prices. In running with this idea, they decided to launch a website called GlobalFSD – 3D Filament Sample Depot, offering 5 meter samples of a vast array of different filaments and colors.
As of today, there are over 45 different filament samples offered, ranging in price from £1.25 – £2.95, with many different color options available to choose from.
“Our ambitions are to stock 3D printing filaments that are unique, special or innovative but applicable to all market releases existing and brand new,” explained Hassan Al-Fattal to 3DPrint.com. “GlobalFSD will make a real impact across the market by offering a central and effective platform for manufacturers to publicize all their new/specialty 3D printing filaments. Simultaneously enabling all 3D printing enthusiasts to purchase multiple filament samples all from one place for very low prices & very competitive postal costs.”
I can not tell you how many times in the past I had wished I could test out a filament without having to spend $40+ on an entire spool. Other times I have had small print jobs that required only a very minimal amount of filament, and realized I probably wouldn’t ever use that color again in the near future. Because of this, I elected to go with a more traditional filament that I already had at my disposal.
This new filament sample depot, which is operated in association with 3DFilaprint, solves all of these issues, and best yet, it is ridiculously affordable.
“GlobalFSD is effectively a ‘sample service’, alleviating the ‘headache’ from filament manufacturers & their resellers, to deal with sample related requests,” Al-Fattal tells us. “We aspire to be the first port of call for all filament samples worldwide. The feedback so far from visitors at the TCT show, manufacturers & enthusiasts alike have been fantastic. Manufacturers such as Taulman 3D, Recreus, Polymakr, FormFortura, MadeSolid, 3DOM, & 3DX Tech have all wanted to co-operate with us and the list is growing.”
Without a doubt, a service like this could be accomodating to many 3D printing enthusiasts. Are you one of those people who will be utilizing GlobalFSD’s service? Discuss in the GlobalFSD forum thread on 3DPB.com. Also, feel free to leave feedback to the company, by emailing them at: media@globalfsd.com
