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Silicone has long been one of the materials that are suitable for 3D printing, of course also for us
While plastics such as ABS, PA or epoxy have been classic 3D printing materials since the beginning of the 1980s, it was not possible to process silicone using 3D printing for a long time. This only changed in mid-2015, when a corresponding process was brought to market, which 3D printing experts believe could open up a huge market.
This is a 3D printing process that produces homogeneous bodies with an almost smooth surface. A robot deposits individual droplets next to each other layer by layer from a nozzle according to the structure specified in the CAD data. The silicone model constructed in this way is then vulcanized in ultraviolet light.
A proven process from rubber processing is used
Commonly, vulcanization is a chemical-technical process developed by Charles Goodyear in 1839, which actually serves to make rubber more resistant to atmospheric, chemical or mechanical means. However, the process on which vulcanization is based is also used in the treatment of a wide variety of rubber-like materials, including silicone.
The material silicone, which is commonly used in the manufacture of breast implants, is characterized in particular by its biocompatibility, temperature resistance and transparency. 3D printing with silicone offers numerous promising applications, especially in the automotive, medical, household and optics sectors.
3D printing with silicone enables the perfectly fitting running shoe
A concrete example of the use of 3D printing with silicone is the production of individualized running shoes. Specifically, thanks to this process, shock-absorbing insoles are to be created that are optimally adapted to the feet of the respective runner. Plans have been in place for some time, but suitable materials have not yet been found. With silicone, such a material already existed, but – as mentioned above – this could not be 3D printed until about 1 year ago. However, production using the injection molding process would hardly have been profitable with such a small number of pieces as is the case with an insole.
We at 3D Activation would be happy to help you with your 3D printed silicone model. Of course, we are also happy to print for you in our numerous other materials and printing processes, read more about this on our website.
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