Case Study: Tilt Hydrometers achieves rapid, cost-effective prototype development with Shapeways 3D printing

Tilt Hydrometers - Customer Case Study

Tilt Hydrometers, led by CEO Noah Neibaron, needed a better way to develop a patented floating hydrometer for measuring sugar during beer fermentation. The challenge was dialing in the device’s center of gravity and testing many design variations quickly and affordably, without relying on slow, expensive traditional milling methods. ShapeWays provided 3D printing support for rapid prototyping.

Using ShapeWays’ industrial 3D printing with Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic], Tilt Hydrometers was able to create and test 110 prototypes, rapidly refine the float’s angle and balance, and evaluate fit, finish, flexibility, and component placement. The result was a durable, high-performance product that could be calibrated and assembled in-house, while reducing costs dramatically—milling was reported to be 10 times more expensive than 3D printing.

Tilt Hydrometers

Noah Neibaron

Chief Executive Officer