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Using FDM technology we have developed an outsole which is superior to traditional rubber outsoles in many ways. It is lighter in weight because of The material TPU and lattice structures which possess low weight to high strength ratio. The outsole is more breathable because of the soft TPU texture and allows airflow through the gaps of the lattice structures. The combination of 3d printing, lattice structures and TPU has made it possible.

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What is TPU?

 

What is thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)? - TPU is a highly versatile elastomer with unique properties that offers both superior performance and processing flexibility. TPU is the ideal polymer for applications in a wide variety of markets, including footwear, wire and cable, film and sheet, compounding, adhesives and specialty molded parts. TPU has been providing benefits to designers, manufacturers and end users for over 60 years. TPU is a unique type of plastic bridging the gap between rubbers and plastics. The key to TPU's versatility is that its hardness can be highly customized. TPU can be as soft as rubber or as hard as rigid plastics. The look and feel of TPU is just as versatile. It can be transparent or coloured as well as smooth to the touch or provide grip.

 

TPU Chemistry

 

A TPU is a block copolymer consisting of alternating sequences of hard and soft segments. Its adaptability is due to the presence of both these hard and soft segments in its chemical structure. The proportion of hard and soft segments can be manipulated to produce a wide range of hardness. A greater ratio of hard to soft segments will result in a more rigid TPU.

 

TPU vs Rubber

Here we have different feature between TPU and rubber.

 

1.Abrasion performance TPU has better abrasion performance than rubber. Besides, TPU is more breathable than rubber.

 

2.Temperature endurance For heat resistance, rubber does better job than TPU, which is said to adapt temperature at 400-500 degrees. But TPU also has good performance when it is put into where’s even at -50 degrees. Its elasticity and tenacity are still in an excellent status, while rubber will be broken at such a low degree.

 

3.Price Rubber has much lower price than TPU.

 

4.Recycle TPU and rubber can be heated to process into any shapes. The shaped TPU can be re-heated to melt and re-process into another shapes, which can be recycled. However, rubber is a kind of thermosetting plastic. This is a type of plastic that can only be heated to shape one time. Rubber can melt when it heated at the first time. Then process into the shape you want. Finally, cooling it down and get a shaped rubber product. But the final shaped rubber product cannot be melted again as TPU one. So, rubber cannot be recycled.

 

5. weight and texture TPU not only owns soft and flat surface but also has no smell, which does no harm to health. Thus, TPU is widely used in products that press close to people. On contrast, rubber is felt sticky, especially for adsorb dirt, which is difficult to clean up. Rubber is heavier than TPU and adds to unnecessary weight to the feet.

 

Lattice structures

 

Lattices are three-dimensional structures that consist of a series of repeating unit cells created by a pattern of intersecting beams and nodes. These micro-architectures have gained popularity in recent years for a number of reasons, including their ability to enable the production of lightweight parts that have comparable material characteristics and structural integrity to legacy components — and often with less excess material. Lattices are also employed to absorb impact, noise, and damp vibration, because they can have low stiffness and the ability to bear and recover from strains

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Incorporating lattice structures in shoe Outsoles

 

Using FDM technology we have developed an outsole which is superior to traditional rubber outsoles in many ways. It is lighter in weight because of The material TPU and lattice structures which possess low weight to high strength ratio. The outsole is more breathable because of the soft TPU texture and allows airflow through the gaps of the lattice structures. The combination of 3d printing, lattice structures and TPU has made it possible.

 

Brands already using TPU and 3d printing: Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Underarmour, New Balance.

 

 

For any 3D Printing needs in Delhi, NCR contact Locanam at

info@locanam.com or call us at +91 9318441992.

 

Visit us at: https://www.locanam.com

 

Locanam 3D Printing

Manjusha Building, Nehru Place

New Delhi, 110019, India

Locanam 3d printing
Locanam 3d printing
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