Capabilities
3D
Printing
It’s an exciting time for innovative product design: new additive manufacturing technologies let you produce previously impossible design at incredible speeds. Leverage our team’s expertise to take full advantage of digital printing technology for end-use-quality prototypes and bridge runs of 100–10,000 parts. We can optimize your design for Carbon printing, develop custom surface textures, and design lattice structures to take advantage of weight reduction.
First Carbon 3D Global Design Partner
From the very beginning, Sherpa has stayed on the leading edge of additive manufacturing technology. We have built up the expertise that led us to become Carbon’s first global design partner.
What gets us fired up about Carbon’s unique Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) process: the ability to produce even the most complex geometries and textures in end-use quality in-house, 25–100 times faster than standard 3D printers. This speeds up our already efficient product development cycle.
Here’s how it works:
Select Work Examples
Take a look at two of many projects we elevated with Carbon 3D printing technology:
Headset Replacement Parts
With expertise in NX CAD and Carbon 3D printing, we reverse-engineered a headset yoke for durability and set KC Headsets up for small-batch in-house production.
Learn more
Product Innovations and Complex Prototypes
First expanding a premium product line with an XL size, then bringing an innovative lens design to market: our team integrated with Smith Optics to accomplish both on tight schedules.
Learn moreCarbon 3D Printing Materials
EPU 40 – ELASTOMERIC POLYURETHANE
A high-performance polyurethane elastomer, EPU 40 is a good choice for applications that require high elasticity, resilience, and tear resistance.
- Durometer (Shore A Hardness):
68 - Elongation at Break:
300% - Bayshore Resilience:
17% - Glass Transition Temperature:
10 °C | 50 °F - Tear Strength:
20 kN/m | 114.2 lbf/in - Comparable Thermoplastics:
Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers (TPU)
EPX 82 – EPOXY
EPX 82 is a high-strength engineering material with excellent long-term durability and mechanical properties comparable to lightly glass-filled thermoplastics. Its functional toughness lends itself well to a variety of automotive and industrial applications.
- Ultimate Tensile Strength:
84 MPa | 12 ksi - Elongation at Break:
8% - Tensile Modulus:
2800 MPa | 406 ksi - Impact Strength (Notched):
45 J/m | 0.84 ft-lb/in - Heat Deflection Temperature:
130 °C | 266 °F - Comparable Thermoplastics:
High-Performance (PEEK, PEI, PSU, PSSU), PBT, Polyamides / Nylons, Polycarbonate, Polypropylene
FPU 50 – FLEXIBLE POLYURETHANE
FPU 50 is an impact-, abrasion-, and fatigue-resistant semi-rigid material. Its qualities makes it a solid choice for parts that must withstand repetitive stresses.
- Ultimate Tensile Strength:
25 MPa | 4 ksi - Elongation at Break:
200% - Tensile Modulus:
700 MPa | 102 ksi - Impact Strength (Notched):
40 J/m | 0.75 ft-lb/in - Heat Deflection Temperature:
70° C | 158° F - Comparable Thermoplastics:
Polypropylene
RPU 70 – RIGID POLYURETHANE
A tough, moderately heat-resistant material, RPU 70 is excellent for parts requiring a high level of strength.
- Ultimate Tensile Strength:
40 MPa | 6 ksi - Elongation at Break:
100.0% - Tensile Modulus:
1700 MPa | 247 ksi - Impact Strength (Notched):
25 J/m | 0.28 ft-lb/in - Heat Deflection Temperature:
60° C | 140°F - Comparable Materials:
ABS, PMMA / Acrylic, POM
SIL 30 – SILICONE URETHANE ELASTOMER
SIL 30 is a soft, biocompatible, and tear resistant silicone urethane elastomer, ideal for comfortable skin-contact applications.
- Durometer (Shore A Hardness):
35 - Elongation at Break:
350% - Bayshore Resilience:
20% - Glass Transition Temperature:
10° C | 50°F - Tear Strength:
10 kN/m | 57.1 lbf/in - Comparable Thermoplastics:
SEBS TPE
UMA 90 – URETHANE METHACRYLATE
UMA 90 is a single-cure resin with enhanced toughness, appropriate for use in prototypes as well as manufacturing jigs and fixtures.
- Ultimate Tensile Strength:
30 MPa | 4 ksi - Elongation at Break:
30% - Tensile Modulus:
1400 MPa | 203 ksi - Impact Strength (Notched):
33 J/m | 0.56 ft-lb/in - Heat Deflection Temperature:
45° C | 113°F - Comparable Materials:
ABS, POM
LOCTITE® IND405 (clear)
LOCTITE® 3D IND405 is a tough, semi-rigid material with an attractive frosted clear finish.
- Ultimate Tensile Strength:
42 MPa | 6 ksi - Elongation at Break:
120% - Tensile Modulus:
1500 MPa | 218 ksi - Impact Strength (Notched):
50 J/m | 0.94 ft-lb/in - Heat Deflection Temperature:
53° C | 127.4 °F - Comparable Materials:
PMMA, Polycarbonate, Polypropylene, POM
EPX 86FR
EPX 86FR displays flame retardance, functional toughness, high strength, and long-term stability.
- Ultimate Tensile Strength:
94 MPa | 14 ksi - Elongation at Break:
5% - Tensile Modulus:
3300 MPa | 479 ksi - Impact Strength (Notched):
30 J/m | 0.56 ft-lb/in - Heat Deflection Temperature:
135 °C | 275 °F - Comparable Materials:
High-Performance (PEEK, PEI, PSU, PSSU), PBT, Polyamides / Nylons
RPU 130
RPU 130 is a strong and tough engineering polyurethane offering a unique combination of durability, impact resistance, and performance at elevated temperatures.
- Ultimate Tensile Strength:
35 MPa | 5 ksi - Elongation at Break:
100% - Tensile Modulus:
900 MPa | 131 ksi - Impact Strength (Notched):
75 J/m | 1.41 ft-lb/in - Heat Deflection Temperature:
120 °C | 248 °F - Comparable Materials:
ABS, High-Performance (PEEK, PEI, PSU, PSSU), Polyamides / Nylons, Polycarbonate, Polypropylene, POM
LOCTITE® 3843 (Matte Black)
Loctite® 3843 is a high-strength engineering plastic with good impact resistance and excellent surface finish. It is ideal for a wide variety of tooling applications on the production floor.
- Ultimate Tensile Strength:
51 MPa | 7 ksi - Elongation at Break:
43% - Tensile Modulus:
1800 MPa | 261 ksi - Impact Strength (Notched):
50 J/m | 0.94 ft-lb/in - Heat Deflection Temperature:
63 °C | 145.4 °F - Comparable Materials:
ABS, PMMA
LOCTITE® IND147 (Black)
Loctite IND147 Black, certified for Carbon printers, is a photopolymer resin with high stiffness and high temperature resistance.
- Ultimate Tensile Strength:
67 MPa | 10 ksi - Elongation at Break:
2.4% - Tensile Modulus:
3190 MPa | 463 ksi - Impact Strength (Notched):
14.6 J/m | 0.27 ft-lb/in - Heat Deflection temperature:
291 °C | 555.8 °F - Comparable Materials:
High-Performance (PEEK, PEI, PSU, PSSU)
Experience What’s Possible with a Carbon Sample Kit
The best way to get a sense of what’s possible with Carbon printed parts is to hold them in your hand. We’ve curated sample kits of flexible elastomers and rigid polymers.