Silicone 3D Printing

[picsima]

Folks

As copenhagen says we are 3D Printing silicone, without support material, no post processing and at a resolution of 400 microns. Currently we have a test rig and we are looking for circa £300K to develop the technology to a point where we can achieve sub 200 micron resolution with variable Shore Hardness A in a single build. Follow us @picsima on Twitter and our website www.picsima.com

[gavbrum]

I have seen this on your website already and watched a few videos on youtube. Are you at a stage where you are printing for customers etc? I’d be interested in sending you stuff we’d be looking to get prototyped in silicone. We specialise in silicone watches but it would be a real advantage to prototype in this material before we get moulds made. This is our website www.breo.com Have a look and let me know if you think we could work together.

[gavbrum]

These are the 2 options I have seen already. Real interesting stuff.

[gavbrum]

I might try this and see what its like.

[3Dscaleworks]

Hi Gav,

nice watches.

See the images i made for a customer. It is a flexible damper for a insertbearingblock and it looks Ok . It won’t be as smooth as the watch you sell because of the somewhat lower resolution. but i will do for prototypes

[Pot8oSH3D]

Hello @picsma. Very impressive. Is it the kind of technology that’s likely to result in a moderately priced desktop printer or is it inherently bulky and/or cost prohibitive for smaller sized printers?

[Filemon]

Don’t you guys have a Hub setup to refer to?

[3Dscaleworks]

Gav,

I can give it a shot upload the stl file to Saenhub and i will see what i can do for you.

It would be fun to help you with this and see what FPE can do!

[gavbrum]

I’ll have a look for a suitable strap and send it across to you.

[3Dscaleworks]

Ok you can upload it to Saen’s Hub . 3Dhub will scan the file first and then i get te file and then i will see what i can do

You can find Saen’s Hub by entering Koog aan de Zaan as city

[KCT]

I van have a go…with 4 different printer,sq

[3FormUK]

Dear Gavbrum, have you considered FilaFlex filament? This is similar to NinjaFlex and has similar properties to silicone in that it is tough and flexible. We have stocks of the filament and by late next week we will have a printer specifically designed to print it. When we ordered our flexible filament stock, they sent us a watch printed in the material, so I can even send you a photo of it.

[gavbrum]

Please send the photo. gavin@tyko.co.uk Or post a pic up here.

[3FormUK]

Pictures attached.

[egor_titov]

Hello

if that material “Fila flex” is safe as dog or kids toy?

[3FormUK]

Yes. It has a certificate for use in medical situations, visit the Recreus web site to download it. The material seems really tough and the bond between layers is strong, so I would expect it to be good for these applications. The problem with the material is that it is difficult to print using a standard print head, that is why we have invested in a custom made machine designed to use it.

[Mike_6]

There’s always these guys: http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/10/15/picsima-3d-print-silicones-without-support-structures/

[gavbrum]

Yeah I’ve seen these guys. Looks like pretty good results.

[vishanth]

@picsima: Hi, I too require a part to be printed in silicone. Checked out your website and was wondering what is the maximum surface finish you can achieve because as far as I have heard 3D printing silicone might not have a very smooth surface finish.

[DSUDING]

GavBrum,

Because we are very well versed in silicones, we DO have silicone material that we HAVE 3D printed. We can do prototypes, or 100s of units. Let me know if you are interested in having us do your product.