Here's a bit of interesting DIY manufacturing news: Rapid prototyping technology company Objet is making available, to owners of its Connex 3D printers, a "digital material pack" containing 18 new materials that emulate a wide range of hardnesses and properties.

With these materials, Connex users can print parts, such as wires and cables, grips and handles, plugs and connections, shock absorbers, function buttons, gaskets and seals, among other rubber applications.

The new rigid materials simulate the strength and toughness of products made of such standard plastics as PP, LDPE, HDPE, PVC and PS. Up to 11 different rigid and flexible materials can be combined in a single part in one build.

By combining Objet's materials a designer could, for instance, "print" a bottle opener with a flexible handle and a rigid claw, a sneaker with a hard sole and soft upper, a hard plastic device with soft, rubbery buttons, et cetera.

"...This new offering [allows] engineers and designers to develop products and parts with physical and mechanical properties that were previously unattainable with 3D printing," said David Reis, CEO of Objet Geometries, and added: "The increased capabilities extend tremendous benefits, opening up the use of printed models for many more applications."