Chapter 3: Compression, Injection Vs. 3D Print

Question 1

What type of light do SLS printers use?

Answer 1

SLS printers use HIGH POWERED LASERS.

Question 2

SLS printers use high powered lasers to do what?

Answer 2

SLS lasers use high powered lasers to FUSE SMALL PARTICLES of MATERIALS into a 3D midsole “mixed with” TPU.

Question 3

What type of material do SLS printers use to make shoes?

Answer 3

SLS printers use a powdered form of TPU.

Question 4

What is the difference between how SLS printers and Desktop printers print?

Answer 4

1. SLS Printers use a powdered form of TPU to print 3D Parts
   vs.
2. Desktop printers melt their material layer by layer

Question 5

Other than being the inventors of TPU, in the 3D printing world, what is Lubrizol best known for?

Answer 5

Lubrizol is well-known for creating a new polymer-based material, ESTANE TRX TPU and BOUNCELL-X.

Question 6

If someone is looking just to test out different types of molds for prototyping, what type of printer is best?

Answer 6

An FDM 3D printer is much cheaper for “testing molds” and prototyping before jumping to an SLS Printer.

Question 7

If you need a bouncy, high tech foam, what type of printer is “a must?”

Answer 7

If you need a bouncy, high tech foam, an SLS printer is a must.

Question 8

Who is worth considering as a one stop shop for TPU materials, and why?

Answer 8

Lubrizol is worth considering as a one stop shop for TPU materials, because they offer an extensive portfolio for almost every component of a shoe.

Question 9

What is Lubrizol’s Pearl Bond TPU?

Answer 9

Lubrizol has heat activated adhesive known as Pearl Bond TPU.