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Summary of Contents for 3D Systems DuraForm TPU Elastomer
- Page 1 DuraForm® TPU Elastomer Material Guide Original Instuctions 3D SYSTEMS, INC. 75-D059 REV_A...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
How the DuraForm TPU Elastomer process works........ - Page 3 TRADEMARKS AND REGISTERED TRADEMARKS ............21 3D SYSTEMS, INC.
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Page 4: Printing Parts With Duraform® Tpu Elastomer Material
PRINTING PARTS WITH DURAFORM® TPU ELASTOMER MATERIAL DuraForm TPU Elastomer is an engineered production thermoplastic elastomer for use in 3D Systems’ sPro™ 60 SLS system . This material can produce durable, rubber-like functional and end-use parts that require no additional post-processing . It offers similar benefits as DuraForm Flex, but operates at a lower temperature. -
Page 5: Warm-Up Stage
• If feed temperatures are too low, the parts will be cooled too quickly when the material is rolled across the bed and the parts will curl . • If feed temperatures are too high, the part bed can end up with a rough texture after adding a layer of powder . 3D SYSTEMS, INC. 75-D059 REV_A... -
Page 6: Interaction Of Variables
• Some part geometries are more susceptible to post-print warp than others . Condensation in the Process The DuraForm TPU Elastomer contains a small amount of volatile material that vaporizes during processing . This material condenses on cool surfaces in the SLS system print chamber . -
Page 7: Print Mode For Duraform Tpu Elastomer
• Laser Power Set points and Heater Setpoints (both print and feed beds) will vary due to sensor variations and customer-specific requirements. • The Laser Power Set point can affect part durability and elongation . Refer to the DuraForm TPU Elastomer Customer Information Bulletin (Tips & Info) for a list of tested laser powers and expected mechanical results . -
Page 8: Orienting Stl Files
Orient features (such as snaps and pegs) that are subject to bending stress in the X-Y plane, so that layers run the length of the features . Surface Finish Curved surfaces built in the Z direction may display stepping due to the layered process . Posts built in X-Y plane for strength of lengthwise layers 3D SYSTEMS, INC. 75-D059 REV_A... -
Page 9: Part Placement And Orientation Guidelines
. Rotating around the Y-axis will yield better part strength than rotating around the X-axis, but may still cause a short feed if the section is too long in X . Orientation for Cross-Section 3D SYSTEMS, INC. 75-D059 REV_A... -
Page 10: Duplicating
1 . Inspect and clean the laser window as well as the Laser Window Assembly O-Rings . See “Cleaning Up the SLS System” on page 9. Replace the O-Rings if they look worn (PM replace ~1 year) . 2 . Inspect and clean the IR blackbody . 3D SYSTEMS, INC. 75-D059 REV_A... -
Page 11: Restarting A Terminated Print
. Verify that the swing gates are sitting correctly and the sheets can swing . 11 . Verify that the printer is equipped with a textured roller and wipers . DuraForm TPU Elastomer requires both to ensure the powder feeds correctly across the print bed . -
Page 12: Recycling Material
“orange peel” may appear . The DuraForm TPU Elastomer material is a very fine blend of small particles. As you run prints, the material is exposed to heat and energy . As a result, the particles in the used powder tend to stick together forming larger particles . You can combat this trend with sifting and blending . -
Page 13: Cleaning Printed Parts
• Various hand tools for cleaning holes and crevices CLEANING PROCEDURES To clean a DuraForm TPU Elastomer part: 1 . Remove the print cake from the print chamber . 2 . Brush away all loose material to expose the part . -
Page 14: Properties And Handling
• After vacuuming spilled material, use a wet mop to clean the floor. The powder is difficult to sweep up. • Due to the small particle size of DuraForm TPU Elastomer material, it is likely to become airborne during handling . -
Page 15: Solving Problems
• Consequences: Details what can happen to print quality if you do not correct the problem . • Corrective Action: Describes what you can do to avoid or recover from the problem . • Related Problems: Indicates whether this problem might interact with or be related to another problem . 3D SYSTEMS, INC. 75-D059 REV_A... -
Page 16: Bonus Z
If you terminate the print, do the following: 1 . Discard any lumps of material . 2 . Clean the print chamber . 3 . Clean the textured roller and wipers . Related Problems: Cracking of Print Bed” on page 14 3D SYSTEMS, INC. 75-D059 REV_A... -
Page 17: Cracking Of Print Bed
Short feeds caused by uneven powder feeds . Mechanical problems with the roller can also cause cracking of the print bed . If you suspect mechanical problems, contact 3D Systems . Visual Signs: Cracks appear on the surface of the bed . -
Page 18: Curling, Post-Print
• Print in Layers: Print parts at the third or fourth layer of parts in the print cake . For information on setting up a print in layers, see “Setting Up a Print” on page 4. 3D SYSTEMS, INC. 75-D059 REV_A... -
Page 19: Glazing, During Print
Description: Small local regions of material melt on the print bed and cause the bed to glisten . This occurs during the print and should be distinguished from the glazing point . The melting point of DuraForm TPU Elastomer occurs at approximately 1 to 2°C above the glazing point . -
Page 20: Melting, Print Bed
If the original CAD file is incorrect, make the necessary changes to the CAD file and save the file in STL format. With the new file, set up a build packet and print the part again . Related Problems: “Stray Vectors” on page 19 3D SYSTEMS, INC. 75-D059 REV_A... -
Page 21: Orange Peel
. • Reduce the Left and Right Feed Distance parameters but take care not to short feed across the part bed . Related Problems: “Clumping” on page 13, “Powder Fluff” on page 3D SYSTEMS, INC. 75-D059 REV_A... -
Page 22: Short Feeds
STL format: copy the new file to the SLS system computer, set up a build packet with the new file, and preview it again . If the problem recurs, contact 3D Systems customer support . If the original CAD file is incorrect, make the necessary changes to the CAD file, save the file into the STL file format, and copy the new file onto the SLS system computer. -
Page 23: Wash Out
Periodically, you may want to run a set of parts with fine features at different laser powers to optimize the Fill Laser Power parameter . Related Problems: “Bonus Z” on page 13, “Growth” on page 16, “Melting, Print Bed” on page 17. 3D SYSTEMS, INC. 75-D059 REV_A... -
Page 24: Appendix A - Legal Notices
(the “Licensed User”) does not have the right to copy, reproduce, or translate this document in any way or to any media without the prior written consent of 3D Systems . No copies of the document may be sold or given to any person or other entity . - Page 25 3D Systems, Inc . 333 Three D Systems Circle | Rock Hill, SC 29730 | USA www .3dsystems .com ©2019 3D Systems, Inc . All rights reserved . PN: 75-D059 Rev . A 3D SYSTEMS, INC. 75-D059 REV_A...
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