Shock/energy-absorbing components are often used as a safety measure to absorb runaway energy in case of a component or system failure. Practical examples of shock absorbing components include bumpers, isolators, fasteners, mounts, spacers and pads.

Typical shock absorption applications include:

• Absorbs vibration and shock loads
• Accepts a large load deformation with practically no friction
• Noise generation prevention
• Sealing (liquid or gas)

Why Connex? With Connex printing systems it is possible to print parts that provide shock absorption. Designers plan varying areas of absorption in the CAD software and transform these into shells for STL file conversion. Digital Materials™ with shore levels matching the desired shock absorption criteria are used to produce the parts. The mechanical properties of the Digital Materials™ can simulate the endproduct's material requirements, rendering function testing possible. Simulation of shock absorptions can take the form of:

• Protective Covering – Coating undertaken on the rigid part to provide protection
• Vibration Damping – Coating undertaken on a given part to provide damping of vibrations

Tips and Tricks

Save the design in separate STL files according to the different parts. This is recommended for flexible areas, as well as for rigid parts. Later the parts can be printed in different color tones to visually separate areas of the model.

• Label each part that you evaluate with its relevant shore value. The label will help you easily determine later which shore value represents the suitable shock absorption score in your evaluation criteria tests.
• When printing a spherical surface that involves two materials from different families, rigid and flexible, it is recommended to print the part so the rigid material will be underneath the flexible one (as shown in Figure 2). Otherwise, one may experience distortions in the lower part made of the flexible material.

Reference

• White Paper: Over-Molding -- Can be found under White Papers on the Objet website
• Case study -- Can be found on the Objet website under Case Studies
• Over Molding
• Movie: Bio-robotic Model -- Can be found on the Objet website
  under Movies

 

 

/>Objet Geometries Ltd. is not responsible for misuse of our products or their use in conjunction with unsafe or improperly maintained equipment or for uses other than intended as specified in this application note.