Materials Library
What things are made of — and what that means for your idea. General guidance only: real performance depends on grade, thickness and supplier.
- Wood
Plywood
Boxes, enclosures, jigs, furniture panels, laser-cut parts.
- Wood
Softwood (pine)
Frames, stands, mock-ups, simple structures.
- Wood
Hardwood (oak, maple, beech)
Handles, durable parts, furniture, tool bodies.
- Metals
Aluminium sheet / extrusion
Brackets, frames, enclosures, heat sinks.
- Metals
Mild steel
Structural frames, brackets, hinges, weights.
- Plastics
PLA (3D-printing plastic)
Prototypes, housings, clips, test-fit parts.
- Plastics
PETG
Tougher 3D-printed parts, outdoor parts, containers.
- Plastics
Acrylic sheet (PMMA)
Windows, display cases, laser-cut panels, light guides.
- Plastics
Polycarbonate sheet
Guards, shields, tough transparent covers.
- Plastics
HDPE (milk-jug plastic)
Cutting boards, containers, sliding parts, living hinges.
- Silicone
Silicone rubber
Seals, grips, flexible moulded parts, molds.
- Rubber
Rubber sheet (EPDM / neoprene)
Gaskets, feet, bumpers, straps.
- Foam
EVA foam
Cosplay, padding, mock-ups, inserts.
- Foam
Polyurethane foam
Cushions, packaging, soft prototypes.
- Textiles
Cotton canvas
Bags, covers, straps, soft goods.
- Textiles
Nylon / ripstop fabric
Lightweight bags, kites, covers, outdoor gear.
- Leather
Leather
Straps, cases, handles, wallets.
- Paper
Paper & card stock
Sketch models, templates, pop-ups.
- Cardboard
Corrugated cardboard
Full-size mock-ups, test fits, packaging.
- Resin
Epoxy casting resin
Clear castings, coatings, embedding objects.
- Clay
Polymer clay
Small models, knobs, grips, miniatures.
- Clay
Air-dry clay
Form studies, sculptural mock-ups.
- Ceramics
Ceramic (stoneware)
Vessels, heat-resistant parts, tiles.
- Glass
Glass
Containers, lenses, windows.
- Adhesives
Two-part epoxy adhesive
Bonding mixed materials, gap filling.
- Adhesives
Hot glue
Quick mock-ups, tacking parts.
- Fasteners
Screws, bolts & nuts
Joining parts so they can be taken apart again.
- Fasteners
Rivets
Permanent joints in sheet metal, leather and fabric.
- Electronic components
Microcontroller board (e.g. Arduino-style)
Making a prototype sense, decide and act.
- Electronic components
LEDs, resistors & switches
Lights, indicators, simple circuits.