Objet 3D printers have moved one step closer to Star Trek replicators with the release of their “Digital Materials” pack. These materials enable Objet machines to work like inkjet printers that make green by mixing yellow and blue inks. With Objet’s rubber and plastic are mixed to create a plethora of materials.
Objet pioneered multi-material 3D printers that can print hard plastic and soft rubber components simultaneously. “Digital Materials” go even further by enabling the printer to blend the rubber and plastic to simulate 48 different materials.
For example, this sample part has a row of buttons that are measured on the Shore durometer scale which is used to measure elastomeric materials. When you press the buttons you feel the range that Connex 3D printers are capable of.
The technology is amazing, but I’m not sure how practical it is. It seems like it could have applications in footwear, helping companies prototype soles of sneakers, but it is tough to gauge how close the material properties are to their traditionally manufactured counterparts. One odd material property is the black rubber material is really sticky, enough to rip paper from the box it was packed in. Will engineers actually be able to use these parts to measure performance? Objet does provide technical documentation, but even if they are unsuitable for mechanical engineers I know my designer brethren would have a field day with one of these machines.
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