【3D Printing】8 Cool Things to 3D Print with TPU
Flexible filament is more applicable than ever! Just like rigid filament.
In the case of TPU, its flexibility offers many creative and practical applications, so we've compiled a list to inspire your printing adventures.
Before we get to the list, let's understand the properties of TPU!
Shore Hardness
One of the most important considerations when printing with flexible filament is Shore hardness.
It is used to measure the softness of a material and is determined by its resistance to indentation under pressure.
At 100% infill, flexible filaments typically have a Shore hardness of 75A to 85A, but you may also see some with a hardness of 92A to 98A.
The higher the number, the harder the material. You should always check the Shore hardness of flexible filament to understand its performance.
Retraction
One of the most common mistakes when printing any flexible material is forgetting to turn off retraction in the slicer.
Because TPU filament is elastic, retraction can create tension as the filament is pulled back from the hot end.
Tension on the filament can cause the material to stretch and elongate, which in turn affects the filament's diameter. This can easily lead to clogging.
So, if you do need to retract, be sure to lower the settings.
Printing Recommendations
If your TPU filament manufacturer has specific printing recommendations, it's best to follow them.
Otherwise, you can refer to the following values as a starting point:
Hot end temperature: 210-240℃
Bed temperature: 0-60℃
Print speed: 5-30 mm/s
Retraction: Usually off, but if enabled, up to 3 mm at 20 mm/s
Fan speed: Off for at least the first three layers, then 20-60%
Extrusion system: Direct drive extruders are considered more successful, especially for older printers
Now that we've covered the basics of 3D printing with TPU, let's take a look at some interesting or practical TPU print models!
Zipper Pulls
Zipper pulls are an essential part of backpacks and jackets.
They are especially useful on cold days when you want to zip up your jacket without taking off your gloves.
While many garments come with zipper pulls, sometimes they can get damaged or lost. This simple print is a perfect solution.
It is compatible with most backpack zippers and is designed to be printed with TPU at a layer height of 0.1 mm.
If you're printing with transparent filament, use five top and bottom layers.
Sneakers
Inspired by 80s movie aesthetics, flexible TPU and this futuristic design, these sneakers are definitely one of a kind!
The designer recommends printing with 25% infill at 90 mm/s with a hardness of around 82A.
You can adjust the infill to change the softness of the print, and depending on your chosen settings, this pair of shoes will take approximately 23 hours to print.
The design comes in multiple sizes: 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Of course, you can also adjust the size to fit your feet.
Joystick Caps
If you enjoy console gaming or use controllers for other activities (such as controlling RC cars), these 3D printable joystick caps are a great way to add visual flair to your controller.
You might even improve your aiming ability thanks to the enhanced grip on the joystick.
This project includes several joystick caps, each with a different design, and custom-made to fit 8BitDo controllers.
While the designer states that these caps are printed with flexible material, he also provides other files with "NonFlex" in their name, which can be used with traditional printing materials like PLA.
Air Duster
This air duster is entirely 3D printed in one piece using TPU.
It has a hollow interior, and when compressed, it expels air from tiny nozzles, providing a surprisingly effective result. You can use it to help clean your computer and electronics, or to reach tight spaces around the house that don't get dusted often.
While the model is designed to be printed entirely from TPU, the designer recommends printing the base of the model with PETG for a sturdier base that is less likely to collapse after continuous compression.
You can find detailed information on how to get the best results from this model in the instructions. Additionally, it's recommended to print at a slower speed for optimal results.
Beverage Can Lids
If you enjoy carrying carbonated drinks around during parties and family gatherings, but drink them slowly, you might want to print some TPU can lids.
The lids fit snugly on standard-sized cans and help prevent carbonation from leaking out of the top of an open can. They also help prevent spills if you accidentally knock over your can.
This is a great print for both adults and children, and an excellent item to hand out during large gatherings.
The designer provides two different sizes of the model if you want a tighter or looser fit for your cans.
If you print multiple lids in different colors, it can also help everyone identify their drinks!
Airless Tennis Ball
You may have seen similar airless ball designs. Now, we also have an airless tennis ball to play with.
This ball is designed to withstand impact and provide an experience similar to a traditional tennis ball, without requiring any inflation to maintain its bounce.
For optimal bounce, it's recommended to use TPU with a Shore hardness of 98A, as lower hardness will reduce the ball's bouncing ability.
If you're interested in these airless ball designs, filete3d has many other designs available for different sports.
Print-in-Place Crescent Wrench
This crescent wrench is a popular print-in-place design that works just like a traditional crescent wrench, with a rotatable screw and movable jaw.
Best of all, this design even works when printed with TPU.
Several versions of this design are available, including one with integrated supports that allows you to avoid using slicer-generated supports, which could otherwise cause moving parts to malfunction.
Although most people print this wrench with non-flexible materials, there are quite a few examples demonstrating that it can be printed with flexible materials, as shown in the video below.
In fact, the rubbery texture of TPU should lead to a better grip!
As for the settings used to print this wrench, you might want to print at a slower speed than usual to ensure the mechanical elements of this design are intact.
This 3D printed toy can make your cat run circles around the room, with a very simple design: two circles connected by a curved string.
This design is meant to be printed with flexible material to ensure the long string can bend but still return to its original shape.
The maker of this model printed their cat toy on a Prusa i3 MK3S+ with TPU.
They used less than 2 hours of print time and consumed approximately 14 grams of material.
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