TCT Asia brought together professionals from across the additive manufacturing industry, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, explore new materials, and discuss practical challenges in 3D printing.
At the show, iSANMATE showcased a range of FDM 3D printing materials, from everyday filaments to engineering-grade options. Conversations with visitors focused on a common question: how can the right material improve print quality, reliability, and performance in real applications?
Thank you to everyone who visited our booth, shared their projects, and discussed their material requirements with our team.
A Versatile Filament Range for Different Applications
Different projects call for different material properties. At TCT Asia, we presented a selection of filaments designed for applications ranging from visual prototypes and creative models to functional components.
Our showcase included:
- PLA: For colorful models, decorative pieces, and visual prototypes where appearance and detail matter.
- PETG: For functional prototypes and parts that require a balance of toughness and printability.
- TPU: For flexible components where elasticity and wear resistance are important.
- ASA: For outdoor applications where weather resistance is a key consideration.
- High-Speed ABS (ABS-HF): Developed for faster printing and engineering applications that require functional prototypes or tooling samples.
By displaying finished prints alongside the materials, we gave visitors a practical way to compare different results and consider which filament might suit their projects.
Explore our 3D Printing Filament Collection to find materials for your next project.
Spotlight on High-Speed ABS: Faster Printing, Practical Performance
One of the key materials featured at our booth was high-speed ABS, also known as ABS-HF.
Conventional ABS printing can be challenging, particularly when warping, cracking, and enclosure requirements become obstacles. These factors can affect both print reliability and workflow efficiency.
ABS-HF was developed to address these challenges while retaining the engineering characteristics associated with ABS. With suitable printer settings, it is designed to support high-speed printing, including speeds of up to 500 mm/s and beyond under appropriate conditions. It also offers lower odor and the potential to reduce warping and cracking, including on compatible open-frame printers.
These features make high-speed ABS worth exploring for applications such as:
- Functional prototypes and engineering samples
- Assembly and fit-check models
- Jigs and fixtures for product development
- Projects where shorter print times can improve iteration speed
Actual results depend on the printer, model geometry, cooling, and print settings. For engineering applications, testing under the intended conditions remains essential.
Printed Samples, Real Questions, Practical Discussions
The finished models on display helped visitors evaluate more than just material names and specifications.
Our PLA decorative pieces and lampshades highlighted appearance and surface detail. PETG and ASA samples illustrated options for functional prototypes and outdoor-oriented applications. TPU prints offered a closer look at flexibility and wear-related properties, while ABS-HF samples demonstrated engineering-oriented parts with visible layer lines, dimensional features, and assembly details.
The discussions went beyond choosing a filament. Visitors raised practical challenges, including stringing and color consistency, insufficient flexibility or rebound, outdoor aging, warping, reduced interlayer strength at higher speeds, and filament consistency during production.
These conversations reinforced an important point: successful 3D printing depends on matching the material, printer, and process to the application. A filament that works well for a decorative model may not be the right choice for a demanding functional part.
Understanding the intended use, operating environment, and required performance is the starting point for making a better material selection.
Beyond the Exhibition: Testing and Material Development
TCT Asia has come to an end, but the work of evaluating materials continues.
At iSANMATE, we believe material selection should be supported by practical testing, not specifications alone. Comparing print results under relevant conditions can help users better understand material behavior and identify suitable settings for their own workflows.
Whether you are developing a visual prototype, exploring flexible components, evaluating outdoor-use materials, or investigating high-speed ABS for engineering applications, our team welcomes technical discussions about your requirements.
You can also explore our 3D printing Resources And Guides for practical information on filament selection and printing techniques.
Let’s Explore Your Next 3D Printing Project
Thank you again to everyone who connected with iSANMATE at TCT Asia. Your questions and feedback help inform how we develop and evaluate materials for real-world applications.
If you are looking for a suitable filament for an upcoming project or want to learn more about high-speed ABS, Contact The iSANMATE Team to discuss your application and available material information.
We look forward to continuing the conversation and helping you find the right material for your next print.
