3D Printing with TPU Material: How does it Compare with Rubber Molding?

TPU Material Properties

TPU is a thermoplastic polymer that’s commonly used with 3D printing due to its many desired properties. It has high tensile strength and is resistant to both high temperatures and UV light.

TPU also has good abrasion resistance and stretchability, meaning it will not crack or break when stretched. When it comes to the properties of TPU, there are essentially two different grades that can be used for 3D printing – Shore A and Shore D. The Shore A TPU is softer and more flexible, which is great for making highly detailed parts.

The D grade, on the other hand, is harder and more brittle, and is best for functional parts, such as a car bumper or the grip of a tool. In general, D grade TPU is better for 3D printing than A grade.

Pros of TPU printing

There are several pros of TPU 3D printing, including lower operating costs and the ability to make multi-part molds. With TPU, you can also 3D print large parts, which is difficult with most other methods. There are, however, some cons to TPU 3D printing, which are outlined below. - Higher initial costs - While TPU 3D printing is more affordable than other methods, it’s still more expensive than traditional molding with rubber.

The added costs are due to the fact that TPU 3D printing requires a heated build platform, a wider variety of materials, and specialized equipment. - Less flexibility in design - Since TPU 3D printing is often done on top of a heated build platform, it means parts can’t be made with very thin walls, or any that are bendable. This is in contrast to rubber molding, which can produce thin, flexible parts. - Increased finishing time -

The process of making TPU parts also requires them to be cured using an oven, which can add days or even weeks to the finishing time. This compares with rubber molding, where parts can be demolded within hours.

Cons of TPU printing

- Higher energy consumption - One of the biggest cons of TPU 3D printing is that it requires a heated build platform, which can be more expensive and less energy efficient than many other methods. - Low-magnification detail -

Since TPU 3D printing generally uses lower magnification lenses, it can make it challenging to create highly detailed parts. This is again in contrast to rubber molding, which only requires high-magnification lenses. - Longer finishing time -

The process of making TPU parts also requires them to be cured using an oven, which can add days or even weeks to the finishing time. This compares with rubber molding, where parts can be demolded within hours.

How does TPU compare with rubber molding?

Now that we’ve looked at the pros and cons of TPU 3D printing, let’s compare it with rubber molding. Firstly, TPU 3D printing is more expensive upfront, and each part requires more material to be printed. This means the costs of TPU 3D printing can add up quickly, especially if you plan on making a large number of parts.

With rubber molding, the upfront costs are lower, as it only requires a mold, a rubber compound, and a machine to mix and pour the material. However, the cost per part is also higher when using rubber, as you need to make a new mold for each component.

Rubber molding is also limited to making single-use parts, whereas TPU 3D printing can be used to make final products.

The  cost  of Tooling for Rubber molding is very expensive and has a long lead time to produce

Both processes require that the part be designed in CAD software before sending the file to the printer or machine that will print it. In many cases, designers use solid modeling techniques to create their parts because this is more efficient than making them from parametric models.

 Solid models can be created using solid modeling techniques or surface modeling techniques. Solid modeling techniques involve creating and editing primitive components of a model (such as cubes), adding features to them (such as cylinders) and removing unwanted components from them (such as holes). Surface modeling involves creating surfaces by extruding, revolving or lofting 2D shapes into 3D shapes. These surfaces can then be joined together using Boolean operations.

Which method is better?

When comparing TPU 3D printing and rubber molding, it can be difficult to say which method is better. This is because both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, and are often used for different applications. TPU 3D printing, for example, is commonly used for making functional parts, whereas rubber molding often creates decorative or aesthetic items.

 The best way to decide which method is better for your application is to first determine the desired part properties, and then find the most suitable method to achieve these. In general, TPU 3D printing is best for producing high-strength parts of any shape and size, and with a wide range of materials. It’s also commonly used to prototype parts and make end-use items, as the printed objects can be the same material as the mold.

Final Words

This article looked at 3D printing with TPU material, and how it compares with rubber molding for making end-use parts. We discussed the pros and cons of TPU as a material, and how it can be used to make high-strength parts.

 When comparing TPU 3D printing and rubber molding, it’s important to first determine the desired part properties, and then find the most suitable method to achieve these. In general, TPU 3D printing is best for producing large parts with high strength, and is often used for functional or prototype parts.