Shapways

[Al Pomeroy]

unfortunately looks like they are gone:
https://www.tctmagazine.com/additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/latest-additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/shapeways-ceases-operations-and-files-for-bankruptcy/

AL P.

[drgwcs]

Not good- looks like they may be taking the shifty way out- the website and the marketplace are still up and taking money.... It does not look like they notified those that had a shop either.

[Keith Hayes]

Shapeways appears to have filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Sad news indeed.

It is unclear if everyone walked away and they shut off the power, if they are finishing existing orders, or if they are continuing on. As Jim notes the website is up, and I have not received any notice from Shapeways directly. This is only what I can glean from the internet.

I know I have one order in production right now. Another vendor has reached out to me expressing interest in my models.

[drgwcs]

Keith Hayes wrote

Shapeways appears to have filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Sad news indeed.

It is unclear if everyone walked away and they shut off the power, if they are finishing existing orders, or if they are continuing on. As Jim notes the website is up, and I have not received any notice from Shapeways directly. This is only what I can glean from the internet.

I know I have one order in production right now. Another vendor has reached out to me expressing interest in my models.

I would certainly be leery to order anything. Back in the days of mail order I remember getting ripped off by one (Crazy Charlie's) that cashed the check while they were bankrupt and didn't have any stock. Never got a penny back and that hurt as a college student. Using credit card protection is much better today but still a hassle. Sure hope you get your order.

[Keith Hayes]

Jim, no real skin off my nose, I would just have to figure out an alternative for the part.

Chapter 7 appears to be liquidation. The website is still up, but I can only see part of my store, so I gather over the course of the next few days the whole operation will ramp down.

Too bad. It was a neat service that greatly aided my modeling. I never would have some of the models, or nearly as accurate a model as I have in multiple cases. I may finally have to cave and invest in a resin printer.

[Jim Courtney]

Drat, I wish I hadn't kept putting off my next order with Shapeways--I might have kept them solvent!

BTW, the Shapeways website is slowly coming to a standstill.

[Jeff Young]

Quite shocking, really.  It seemed like they were part of the landscape....

[Jeff Young]

BTW, Bill Lugg on the HOn3 list mentioned "CraftCloud" as an alternative.  He said he's been using them for a while anyway because their prices were better....

[Norm Acker]

I've had good results with CraftCloud as well.

Jeff, can you please send me a message either through here or normacker (at) yahoo (dot) com when you get a chance? I have Silica kiln questions. Thanks! :)

[SteveG]

I'd be curious to hear about any experiences with other possible vendors. I've never had a model pass Shapeway's somewhat curious restrictions on material thickness, even though they printed reliably on my $300 Elegoo Mars resin printer.
I'd especially like to find someone who can do lost wax work for things like underframes and switch frogs/hardware.

Steve Guty
Lakeway, TX