04-08-2013: taulman 3D released 645 Clear nylon filament
It was one of the first technical-grade materials for desktop 3D printers
On April 8, 2013, taulman 3D released taulman 645 “Clear” – an industrial-grade nylon filament. It was developed in response to the growing demand for 3D printing materials with high mechanical strength that could rival metals in engineering applications. taulman 645 was considered a breakthrough material, enabling the creation of durable, flexible, and functional components using standard desktop 3D printers.
645 was a co-polymer blend of Nylon 6, 6/9, and 6T. It stood out with its exceptional tensile strength, excellent flexibility, and high optical clarity – which is where the “Clear” nickname came from.
The filament printed within a temperature range of 235–260°C. One of its key characteristics was relatively high moisture absorption. From the other hand, it emitted no fumes or odors during printing – a significant differentiator from other nylon filaments available at the time.
The material was actively tested by the open-source community and leading 3D printer manufacturers of that era, such as LulzBot, SeeMeCNC, and AirWolf. taulman 3D provided free samples to interested companies, which quickly boosted the brand’s popularity and recognition within technical and maker communities.
taulman 3D was founded by Thomas Martzall in 2012 and quickly earned a reputation as a pioneer in the field of specialized filaments. Beyond 645, the company released a number of well-known materials, including Nylon 618, T-Glase (a transparent PETT), Bridge Nylon, and PCTPE – a flexible nylon-based co-polymer. The company stood out for its publication of reliable technical data, collaboration with end-users, and its approach rooted in open-source philosophy.
In 2021, the company was acquired by Brazilian petrochemical giant Braskem, which at the time was developing its own line of polyolefin filaments. Initially, the acquisition seemed like an opportunity for growth, but in 2024, Braskem unexpectedly announced a full withdrawal from the 3D printing filament market and the shutdown of the Xtellar brand, of which taulman 3D was part of.
Source: www.3ders.org
2013 in AM’ - brand new history book! GET IT NOW!
