Ist TPU so dicht wie ein O-Ring?

Für Staub und Spritzwasser funktioniert es gut. Für Druckdichtungen bleiben Normteile aus Elastomer die bessere Wahl. Wir sagen Ihnen offen, wo die Grenze liegt.

Wie weich kann TPU gedruckt werden?

Gängig sind Härten um Shore 95A. Über die Füllstruktur lässt sich das Teil zusätzlich weicher machen, ohne das Material zu wechseln.

Hält TPU dauerhaft Belastung aus?

TPU ist sehr ermüdungsfest. Unter dauerhafter Kompression kann es sich jedoch setzen. Das berücksichtigen wir bei Anschlägen und Klemmteilen.

Kann TPU mit hartem Kunststoff kombiniert werden?

Ja, als separate Teile, die gesteckt oder geklebt werden. Das ist oft günstiger als ein Zweikomponentenwerkzeug für eine Kleinserie.

Flexible parts in TPU

TPU is rubber like, abrasion resistant and damps vibration. We print buffers, protective caps, gripper pads and simple sealing elements from it without building a mould.

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Softer and harder Shore grades on request

What we make from TPU

Parts that should yield, protect or grip.

Buffers and stops

End stops and dampers for moving assemblies.

Gripper pads

Soft contact pads that do not damage delicate parts.

Caps and grommets

Edge protection, cable grommets and caps in special sizes.

Simple seals

Dust and splash seals with custom contours.

Suitable materials

TPU for true elasticity. If only slight compliance is needed, PA11 is often enough.

Read the materials guide

Details for TPU parts

01Desired hardness or a reference part that feels right.
02Whether the part needs to seal and against which medium.
03Deformation in service: how far is it compressed or stretched?
04Contact with oil or fuel.

Full DFM checklist

Soft parts without tooling

Elastic parts are traditionally cast or moulded. Both need a mould that only pays off at larger volumes. For custom contours, spare parts and small series, TPU in FDM is often the fastest route.

The stiffness of a TPU part depends not only on the material but also on wall count and infill. That is useful: from one material you can make harder and softer versions of the same buffer and compare them.

Send us the contour or the old part. We print a sample, you test it, and we adjust the hardness before the batch is made.

Manufacturing data at a glance

Location: Schleswig, Germany
Part size: up to approx. 250 x 250 x 250 mm, larger parts split and joined
Quantities: 1 to several thousand, no minimum order quantity
Tolerances: approx. ±0.2 mm for PLA, PETG and carbon grades, ±0.3 mm for ABS, ASA and PC
Layer height: 0.10 to 0.30 mm
Materials: 20 engineering filaments from PLA to PA12-CF and PC FR
File formats: STEP, STL, 3MF, OBJ, IGES up to 200 MB
Lead time: 2 to 4 working days for samples, 4 to 15 working days for series

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Flexible parts FAQ

Does TPU seal like an O-ring?: For dust and splash water it works well. For pressure seals standard elastomer parts remain the better choice. We tell you openly where the limit is.
How soft can TPU be printed?: Common hardness is around Shore 95A. The infill structure can make the part softer without changing material.
Does TPU withstand continuous load?: TPU has very good fatigue resistance. Under permanent compression it can take a set, however. We account for that in stops and clamping parts.
Can TPU be combined with rigid plastic?: Yes, as separate parts that are pressed on or bonded. For a small series that is often cheaper than a two shot mould.