Flexible wires are more versatile than ever before, just like rigid wires.
TPU's flexibility offers many creative and practical applications, so we've compiled a list to inspire your printing adventure.
Before we get to the list, let’s learn about the characteristics of TPU!
Shore hardness
One of the most important considerations when printing with flexible filaments is Shore hardness.
It can be used to measure the softness of a material, and is measured by its resistance to indentation when compressed.
When 100% filled, the Shore hardness of elastic wire is typically 75A to 85A, but you may also see some with a hardness of 92A to 98A.
The higher the number, the stiffer the material. You should regularly check the Shore hardness of elastic wires to understand their performance.
Retraction
One of the most common mistakes when printing any flexible material is forgetting to turn off the slicer's retraction function.
Because TPU filaments are elastic, tension is generated during the retraction when the filaments are pulled back from the hot end.
Tension in the wire causes the material to stretch and extend, which in turn affects the wire's diameter. This can easily lead to blockages.
Therefore, if you really need to retract, be sure to lower the settings.
Printing suggestions
If your TPU cable manufacturer has specific printing recommendations, it's best to follow them.
Otherwise, you can refer to the following values as a starting point for your experiment:
Hot end temperature: 210-240℃
Bed temperature: 0-60℃
Print speed: 5-30 mm/s Retraction: Normally 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 systems: Direct extruders are considered more successful, especially for older printers.
Now that we know the basics of using TPU for 3D printing, let's take a look at some interesting or practical TPU printing models!
Zipper head
For backpacks and jackets, zipper pulls are an essential component.
It's 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, they can sometimes get damaged or lost. This simple printing method is a perfect solution.
It is compatible with most backpack zippers and is designed to be printed using TPU with a layer height of 0.1 mm.
If you are printing with transparent lines, use five top and bottom layers.
sneakers
Inspired by the aesthetics of 80s movies, the elastic TPU and this avant-garde design make these sneakers truly unique in the world!
The designer recommends using a hardness of around 82A and printing at a speed of 90 mm/s with 25% fill.
You can adjust the padding to change the softness of the print. Depending on the settings you choose, the print time for these shoes is approximately 23 hours.
The design is available in multiple sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Of course, you can also adjust the size to fit your foot dimensions.
Joystick Cap
If you enjoy console games or use controllers for other tasks (such as controlling remote-controlled cars), these 3D-printable joystick caps are a great way to add visual effects to your controllers.
Thanks to the improved grip on the joystick, you can even enhance your aiming ability.
The project includes several joystick caps, each with a different design and custom-made to fit the 8BitDo controller.
Although the designer stated that the lids were printed with a flexible material, he also provided other documents with "NonFlex" in their names that can be used with traditional printing materials such as PLA.
air dust collector
This air dust collector is made entirely of TPU in one piece.
It has a hollow interior that, when compressed, ejects air from tiny nozzles for surprisingly effective cleaning. It can be used to help clean your computer and electronic devices, or reach small spaces around the house that aren't frequently dusted.
Although the model is designed to be printed entirely from TPU, the designers recommend using PETG to print the model's base for a sturdy base that is less likely to collapse after continuous compression.
You can find detailed information in the instructions on how to obtain the best results from this model. Additionally, it is recommended to slow down the printing speed for optimal results.
beverage can lid
If you like to carry carbonated drinks with you during parties and family gatherings, but you finish them slowly, you might want to print some TPU can lids.
The lids fit snugly against standard-sized jars, helping to prevent carbonated drinks from leaking from the top of an open jar. They also help prevent spills if you accidentally knock the jar over.
This is a beautifully printed item suitable for both adults and children, and it's also a great item to distribute during large parties.
The designer offers two different sizes to suit your jar, either for a tighter or looser fit.
If you print multiple lids in different colors, it can also help everyone categorize the drinks!
Airless tennis ball
You may have seen similar balloon-free designs. Now, we also have an airless tennis ball to play with.
The ball is designed to withstand impacts and provide a similar experience to a traditional tennis ball without requiring any inflation to maintain its bounce.
For optimal bounce, it is recommended to use TPU with a Shore hardness of 98A, as lower hardness will reduce the ball's bounce.
If you are interested in these balloon-free designs, filete3d has many other designs available for different sports.
On-site printing of crescent wrenches
This crescent wrench features a popular in-place printing design and works on the same principle as a traditional crescent wrench, with a rotating screw and movable jaws.
Most importantly, this design works even when printing with TPU.
Several versions of this design are available, including one with integrated support, which allows you to avoid using the support created by the slicer, which could otherwise cause moving parts to malfunction.
Although most people print these wrenches using non-elastic materials, there are quite a few examples demonstrating that wrenches can be printed using elastic 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 at a slower speed than normal to ensure that the mechanical elements of this design remain intact.
Playing with your cat is a great way to spend an afternoon, and it's even better if you have some toys for your pet.
This 3D printed toy lets your cat run around the room. It features a very simple design with two circles connected by a curved rope.
This design aims to print with a flexible material to ensure that long lines can be bent but still return to their original shape.
The maker of this model printed their cat toy onto the Prusa i3 MK3S+ using TPU.
They used less than 2 hours of printing time and consumed approximately 14 grams of material.
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