Tricas has various 3D printers available in-house for the production of our own 3D printed prototypes. Occasionally, when we need specialized materials or properties, we rely on the expertise and equipment of partners in our network. A good example of this is a recent project for which, next to solid printed parts, flexible printed parts were needed for reliably functioning prototypes.

Tricas was asked to develop an extension for a spray applicator that will be used to apply a highly potent medical substance to a specific target area of the human skin, namely the axilla or armpit. Because the axilla has a complex geometry for a cone shaped extension to closely fit, a flexible material was needed that is not only robust but also has a pleasant feel. Since the prototypes would be used in clinical trials, only a small number of parts were needed.

We selected our partner Oceanz (www.oceanz.eu) to produce these flexible parts for their ability to produce parts through Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) in a TPU material. The resulting prototypes are of the right flexibility and they have the right feel. The parts are of such robustness that, after an initial small number of parts, a series of 70 pieces has been produced through this process and in this material.

Do you want to know how Tricas can bring flexibility to your product design?  Please feel free to contact Dennis Freie d.freie@tricas.nl