Flexible 3D printing filaments provide a wide range of options for designers and engineers. Complex elastic shapes are simple to build in-house. They may use these filaments to test prototype flexible features or make unique tools, among other things. TPU and other flexible materials aren’t as simple to use as some others, which might be intimidating for new 3D printer users. Read on to find out what flexible filaments are and what they’re good for.
What Are Flexible Filaments?
Materials with flexible filaments combine the characteristics of rubber and stiff plastic. A thermoplastic elastomer is the name of this mixture (TPE). Similar to rubber in behavior, thermoplastic elastomers may stretch and twist to great lengths without breaking. Different flexible filaments are available, some of which are more elastic than others. Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is the most common one used.
Common Industries Using Flexible Filaments
Flexible filaments are rising in popularity across various sectors as the sorts of 3D printing materials expand. Vehicle panels and wheels frequently have to survive impacts during assembly in the automotive sector, yet any damage might result in high scrap costs. When employing 3D printed bespoke tooling, which is possible to produce more rapidly and at a cheaper cost, the danger of scratching car parts diminishes with the use of flexible materials.
How To Print With Flexible Filaments
In light of the wide variety of flexible materials available, it’s crucial to review the manufacturer’s suggested settings. You should be able to tailor your print to the particular fiber you’re using if you look at your slicer’s options. To guarantee that you can utilize your printer settings to precisely print whatever model you are seeking to generate, you should reference your slicer before you buy your filament. As a side benefit, using these profiles will help you prevent over-extrusion, get better supports, and even make smoother prints!
We hope you’ve enjoyed our short article on what flexible filaments are and what they are good for. Be sure to use these filaments in your next print to gain unparalleled flexibility in your models.
