【3D Printing】8 Cool Things to 3D Print with TPU
Flexible filaments are more applicable now than ever before! Just like rigid filaments.
For TPU, its flexibility offers many creative and practical applications, so we've compiled a list to inspire your printing adventures.
Before we get to the list, let's understand a bit about TPU's properties!
Shore Hardness
One of the most important considerations when printing with flexible filaments is Shore hardness.
It is used to measure the softness of a material and is determined by its resistance to indentation when pressure is applied.
When 100% filled, flexible filaments typically have a Shore hardness of 75A to 85A, but you may also see some with a hardness of 92A to 98A.
The higher the number, the harder the material. You should always check the Shore hardness of your flexible filament to understand its performance.
Retraction
When printing any flexible material, one of the most common mistakes is forgetting to turn off the slicer's retraction function.
Due to the elastic nature of TPU filament, retraction creates tension as the filament is pulled back from the hot end.
Tension on the filament can cause the material to stretch and thin, which in turn affects the filament's diameter. This can easily lead to clogs.
Therefore, if you do need to retract, be sure to lower the settings.
Printing Recommendations
If your TPU filament manufacturer provides specific printing recommendations, it is best to follow them.
Otherwise, you can refer to the following values as a starting point for experimentation:
Hot end temperature: 210-240℃
Bed temperature: 0-60℃
Printing speed: 5-30 mm/s
Retraction: Usually off, but if retraction is enabled, up to 3 mm at 20 mm/s
Fan speed: Off for at least the first three layers, then 20-60%
Extrusion system: Direct drive extruders are considered more successful, especially for older printers
Now that we've covered the basics of 3D printing with TPU, let's take a look at some fun or practical TPU print models!
Zipper Pulls
Zipper pulls are an essential part of backpacks and jackets.
They are especially useful on cold days when you want to zip up your coat without taking off your gloves.
While many garments come with zipper pulls, sometimes they can get damaged or lost. This simple print is a perfect solution.
It is compatible with most backpack zippers and is designed to be printed with TPU at a layer height of 0.1 mm.
If you print with clear filament, use five top and bottom layers.
Sneakers
Inspired by 80s movie aesthetics, flexible TPU and this avant-garde design, these sneakers are truly one-of-a-kind!
The designer recommends printing with 25% infill at 90 mm/s with a hardness of around 82A.
You can adjust the infill to change the softness of the print, and depending on your chosen settings, this pair of shoes will take approximately 23 hours to print.
The design comes in multiple sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Of course, you can also adjust the size scaling according to your foot size.
Joystick Caps
If you enjoy console gaming or use controllers for other tasks (such as controlling RC cars), these 3D printable joystick caps are a great way to add visual flair to your controller.
You might even improve your aiming ability thanks to the improved grip on the joysticks.
This project includes several joystick caps, each with a different design, custom-made to fit 8BitDo controllers.
While the designer states these caps are printed with flexible materials, he also provides other files with "NonFlex" in their names, which can be used with traditional printing materials like PLA.
Air Duster
This air duster is completely printed in one piece using TPU.
It has a hollow interior that, when compressed, expels air from a tiny nozzle for surprisingly effective results. You can use it to help clean your computer and electronics, or to reach tight spaces around the house that don't get dusted often.
While the model is designed to be printed entirely from TPU, the designer recommends printing the base of the model in PETG for a sturdier base that is less likely to collapse after continuous compression.
You can find detailed information on how to get the best results from this model in the instructions. Additionally, it's recommended to slow down the print speed for optimal results.
Beverage Can Lids
If you enjoy having carbonated drinks at parties and family gatherings but drink them slowly, you might want to print some TPU can lids.
The lids fit snugly on standard-sized cans and help prevent carbonation from leaking out the top of an open can. They also help prevent spills if you accidentally knock over your can.
This is a great print for both adults and children, and also an excellent item to hand out during large gatherings.
The designer offers models in two different sizes if you want a tighter or looser fit for your cans.
If you print several lids in different colors, it can also help everyone keep track of their drinks!
Airless Tennis Ball
You've probably seen similar airless ball designs before. Now, we also have an airless tennis ball to play with.
The ball is designed to withstand impact and provide a similar experience to traditional tennis balls without needing any inflation to maintain its bounce.
For optimal bounce, a Shore hardness of 98A TPU is recommended, as lower hardness will weaken the ball's bouncing ability.
If you're interested in these airless ball designs, filete3d has many other designs available for different sports.
Print-in-Place Crescent Wrench
This crescent wrench is a popular print-in-place design that functions just like a traditional crescent wrench, with a rotatable screw and movable jaw.
Best of all, this design even works when printed with TPU.
Several versions of this design are available, including one with integrated supports that allows you to avoid using slicer-generated supports, which could otherwise render the moving parts inoperable.
Although most people print this wrench with non-flexible materials, there are quite a few examples that prove it can be printed with flexible materials, as shown in the video below.
In fact, the rubbery texture of TPU should result in a better grip!
As for the settings used to print this wrench, you may want to print slower than normal to ensure the mechanical elements of this design are intact.
This 3D-printed toy can get your cat running circles around the room. It features a very simple design with two circles connected by a curved string.
This design is intended to be printed with flexible material to ensure the long string can bend but still return to its original shape.
The maker of this model printed their cat toy on a Prusa i3 MK3S+ using TPU.
They used a print time of less than 2 hours and consumed approximately 14 grams of material.
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