this post was submitted on 13 Oct 2023
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TPU Printing Ideas (feddit.de)
submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Hey folks! Today I got my first spool of TPU. I was quite excited to replace the cap of a controller's joystick. But now I am looking for ideas what to print next.

...I was expecting more of a "rubber-ish" feel, when I ordered TPU. It's a lot more sleek? than I expected. Or is that, because I ordered transparent "High Speed TPU"?

edit: Forgot to mention it's 95A

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 10 months ago (1 children)

What's the shore hardness on that TPU? Not every TPU is the same.

Most generic printer TPU's are around 90 to 95A shore hardness, which ensures extruder compatibility. It's "flexible" but very stiff. It's best for stuff like compliant structural parts that need to be shock absorbent but still strong.

Stuff like ninjaflex gets down around 40A iirc, which is considerably more rubber-like. However, Compatibility depends on your printer. Ninjaflex is OK in direct drive extruders with the right feed teeth, but pretty tough to get good results out of if you have a Bowden extruder because it will want to bunch up and compress inside the feed tube.

You also have to minimize infill and wall thickness when slicing to get the most flexibility.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I'm so sorry to have forgotten the most important information... I edited my post to add the 95A :'D

Thanks for your reply. I'm printing on an Neptune 3 Pro, so I guess more flexible filaments should be printable for me.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Yep. 95A can be printed fast which is why it's probably called a "high speed TPU".

Neptune 3 is direct drive so you should be fine for ninjaflex. It'll take some tuning though because every printer reacts differently to it. Good luck!

Some ideas that work good in tpu:

  • a tool or pencil holder with little clips that your tools set into- tpu flexibility makes this great
  • a compliant phone stand that clips around your phone
  • an open honeycomb stress ball fidget... thing (I dunno just spit balling here lol)
[–] Imgonnatrythis 5 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Tpu is not Tpu. Lots of reviews on the different types. Using hex or lightening infills at low percentages can help with squishiness. I make footpads for lots of my prints or other things around the house with tpu.

Phone cases are a popular option (always wanted a dickbutt phonecase but couldn't find one on Amazon?)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago

Bistable auxetic structures are pretty cool.

https://www.printables.com/en/model/604690-bistable-auxetic-structure-parametric-with-opensca

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

I printed a Fairphoe 4 bumper case in 95A since the origianal was 40€. It's incredibly durable but at the time I printed it using a bowden extruder so I had to clean it up considerably due to stringing. I have a direct drive extruder since today (will post about it soon) and will print another bumper for a family member. I'm excited about how it will turn out

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago

as far as things to print... self-designed TPU covers for phones. to, you know. Show off. Alternatively, there's always all sorts of wheely things with compliant tweels.

or springs, or shock absorbers. I've also found it useful for hinges or things that will be flexing often since TPU doesn't stress like PLA or abs or asa does with extreme flexing.