Neoprene / Rubber syle 3D prints

[JLandon]

Hi all, I'm trying to make a prototype that will need to be made with a neoprene / rubber type material. The closest thing I've found is the Stratasys Objet 260 Connex. After realizing that is the perfect printer for me I contacted a local sales rep to find out the base model is $200,000. It seems that the polyjet tech is patented by them. Is there any other printer options out there at a more economic level ($1000-$3000) with similar capabilities? If so, can you lead me in that direction? Simply creating a 3D CAD and sending it to a manufacturer doesn't seem like the way to go, because I need to be able to test the product and make adjustments from home before sending the CAD off to be used.

[curious aardvark]

how large an item are your wanting to make ?

Basically either ninjaflex or filaflex would probably match your material requirements. Both come in multiple colours as well.
And can be printed on most fff 3d printers.

And between 1-3000 there is a lot of choice - printerwise :-)

[JLandon]

Hi, ty for your response. The item would be 7'' x 4'' x 1/2'' or so. Is it possible to feed more than one material through the printer to form the perfect texture for a specific prototype? Any advice on printers in that price range? Preferably on the lower end of the scale. I think I'd be more concerned with precision rather than speed.

[curious aardvark]

best all round bang-for-buck dual extruder is probably the flashforge creator pro. and can easily handle that size print. Heated chamber, heated bed, lots of upgrades over the basic creator (what i have) and from I've seen from users on here - a very good machine.
http://www.flashforge-usa.com/shop/3...d-printer.html

I'd add simplify3d to your shopping list. All software is not the same :-)
http://www.simplify3d.com/

While you can use two different materials - mixing them to form different textures, while technically possible, would take some seriously complicated cad.
The fact is you just cannot do exactly the same things with a $1300 printer that you can do with a $200,000 machine. They're not just charging for a big metal box :-)
That said you'll be surprised at just what is possible with a little imagination and some of the latest hi-tech filaments and a standard fff machine.

The markforged printer blends two different processes to make some remarkable materials with kevlar and carbon fibre. They didn't have anything flexible that i can recall. But worth looking at maybe.
https://markforged.com/

My advice - and probably most other people's as well. Would be to buy a printer, invest in a roll or two of ninjaflex or filaflex and start experimenting.

IT might also be worth considering one of multi head machines around. They can not only print with plastics, but just about any othe kind of extrudable material you can think of - including silicon.

Check out the hyrel range of printers:
http://3dprintboard.com/forumdisplay...-Printer-Forum

More expensive and even more versatile is the zmorph
http://zmorph3d.com/3d-printers/

Basically, No matter what you're making there is a machine out there than can probably do it.

[JLandon]

Thanks for all the info mate. I just ordered the flashforge pro on Ebay, new for $900! Now hopefully it's a legit listing lol.

[Geoff]

best all round bang-for-buck dual extruder is probably the flashforge creator pro. and can easily handle that size print. Heated chamber, heated bed, lots of upgrades over the basic creator (what i have) and from I've seen from users on here - a very good machine.
http://www.flashforge-usa.com/shop/3...d-printer.html

I'd add simplify3d to your shopping list. All software is not the same :-)
http://www.simplify3d.com/

While you can use two different materials - mixing them to form different textures, while technically possible, would take some seriously complicated cad.
The fact is you just cannot do exactly the same things with a $1300 printer that you can do with a $200,000 machine. They're not just charging for a big metal box :-)
That said you'll be surprised at just what is possible with a little imagination and some of the latest hi-tech filaments and a standard fff machine.

The markforged printer blends two different processes to make some remarkable materials with kevlar and carbon fibre. They didn't have anything flexible that i can recall. But worth looking at maybe.
https://markforged.com/

My advice - and probably most other people's as well. Would be to buy a printer, invest in a roll or two of ninjaflex or filaflex and start experimenting.

IT might also be worth considering one of multi head machines around. They can not only print with plastics, but just about any othe kind of extrudable material you can think of - including silicon.

Check out the hyrel range of printers:
http://3dprintboard.com/forumdisplay...-Printer-Forum

More expensive and even more versatile is the zmorph
http://zmorph3d.com/3d-printers/

Basically, No matter what you're making there is a machine out there than can probably do it.

I swear you work for Simplify 3D the way you pedal it