Here's another sneak peek at our tests! After the last 3D printing exhibition, many people showed great interest in the elastic material TPU. The Flexa Black powder used by Sinterit is a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU), which is similar in nature to rubber, possessing elasticity and flexibility, impact resistance, and durable resilience.
This time, we are testing a swimming goggle frame model that would typically use rubber or plastic. The frames of regular swimming goggles are usually elastic to fit the skin and provide a watertight seal. So, how soft and flexible is the Flexa Black elastic powder?
First, you can see our estimated model before printing. The printing time is approximately one day and three hours, with a layer height set to 0.1mm.
After printing and waiting 30 minutes for the machine to cool down, it's time to "excavate"! Since the powder is quite fine, it is recommended to wear a mask when cleaning. After peeling off the large areas of powder, start cleaning the finer details. After brushing, the main body can be removed. The Sinterit Lisa 3D printer does not require support material; simply clearing the powder reveals the finished product, so there's no need to worry about marks from removing supports.
The high flexibility of the elastic material TPU makes it suitable for prototyping elastic parts like fabrics, springs, and rubber. We'll show you a live test; it can not only be compressed vertically but also twisted directly into a figure-eight shape! It's softer and more flexible than standard goggle frames!
To ensure the quality of the samples, after 3D printing with the Sinterit Lisa, we typically use a sandblaster for a final thorough cleaning. The finished product is very beautiful, and compared to FDM 3D printers, the Sinterit Lisa produces almost no visible layer lines.
We took close-up photos with a scale so everyone can see clearly. The original design textures of the goggle frames are also very distinct. This print was a great success!
If you are interested in new materials, we also offer high-quality printing services. If you'd like to learn more about the machine's details, please feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment to view the machine and samples. We will continue to share new technologies and services related to 3D printing. All the latest information will be published on our Facebook page, so you won't miss any updates or shares.