Hi all,
We’re investigating alternate filament materials for use with prosthetic products. We’d need a filament that will result in a product that has strength and some flexibility - but not too much.
The product would need to “be able to take bend stress”, but not to the point that you’d have the flexibility of - say - rubber sheet material. You’d want to be able to bend it, with some force - after which it would jump back to it’s original shape.
I thought, I’d seen a YT video of someone presenting such a material, during 2016 NY Maker Faire, but I can’t find that video back… I’d appreciate any input you could give.
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Xeno
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Taulman sells nylon that flexes well, but resumes to its original shape.
It is STRONG, and can withstand being in a car in the summer.
It can be dyed to any color, and is medical grade.
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I do know that Polymkaer has someting flex filament that can be used to make a timebelt. Maybe that is something you can use ?
http://www.polymaker.com/shop/polyflex/
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Thanks Mike,
I see that the link has filament test videos from Tech2C - the 2 materials shown here both seem highly flexible, the black one even more than the white material… Too flexible for what we’ve got in mind, unfortunately.
Appreciate the suggestion, though!
Sounds promising, we’ll check this out - thanks!
Xeno, this seems very much like the material that we would need to use: we’ll dive a bit deeper into this & get some details. I also see that Daniel Noree made some more videos of this material - I’ll try to reach him & get his opinion.
I’ll also show this to person, with whom I’m working to improve his prosthetic - I think, we’ll need to give this material a try.
Thanks!
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Ultimaker TPU
Semiflex from fennerdrives
I also have some WillowFlex (it’s manufactured in Germany) made from biocompostable materials and prints at 180°c!
The NGen flex from colorfabb is a nice one also
I see that Nylon was mentioned.
How about another industry’s mammoth polymer: PP (Polypropylene)? Usually affordable, PP is known to show little creep.
Or the flexible-PLA (a PLA that is flexible)?
How goes the search? What you’ve discovered so far?