3-D printing has become a new and very futuristic way to design and display products in the manufacturing industry. From key chains to ears, the limits seem almost endless to what can be printed. Here at Stern, we have added a new feature to our 3-D printing capabilities, and purchased a flexible, almost rubber-like, printable product called NinjaFlex printing filament.
With the recent addition of the Makerbot 3-D printer in our quality assurance lab, the opportunity to expand this tool’s capabilities is always an exciting time. With the Makerbot being originally bought to make plastic measurement fixtures, the addition of the NinjaFlex product now allows our team to print nearly perfect replicas of what our customer is looking for even before making a mold.
Although the NinjaFlex product is not a true printable rubber, this industry leading, specially formulated thermoplastic polyurethane, is as close as one can get, without putting rubber in the press and running a product. This innovative printing material is made in the USA and offers great flexibility with low tack, and easy to feed texture, that leads to a uniquely flexible, but strong print out. Some key features to the NinjaFlex product are its consistent diameter and material properties allowing for high quality print outs, time after time. Along with that, NinjaFlex prides itself in its highly elastic properties (1000% elongation), and excellent vibration, abrasion, and chemical resistance.
With this new product added to our Makerbot printer, here at Stern, the capabilities to test and display new products to our customers is greatly expanded, and offers endless opportunities to expand our quality assurance and customer service capabilities.