Jun.18, 2012
Sugru uploaded this nice short film about maker dads. If you don't know about Sugru, a moldable air curable rubber yet, you've got to check it out.
Jane ní Dhulchaointigh from UK invented Sugru and this super rubber compound for simple repair has generated a lot of Sugru lovers.
Sugru can be formed and shaped by hand for up to 30 minutes and it can stick to aluminium, steel, ceramics, glass, wood and other materials, almost any surface. It molds like Play-Dough, once it's exposed to air, it cures to a tough flexible silicone in 24 hours at room temperature using the moisture in the air. Sugru is waterproof, dishwasher proof and electrically insulating When cured. But it is also removable from most non-porous surfaces.
What can this secretly formulated Sugru add to 3D printing? sugru user Carson posted a fantastic project on gurus showing how he used a Polyjet 3d printer to create a mold to make a precise new strain relief for his cable. Watch the image below, you will be impressed by how precise it is.
Here's how I did it:
1) I used 3D CAD software to model up the strain relief geometry for the audio plug.
2) Using the original CAD as reference, I then created CAD for a 2-sided mold for the part.
3) I printed the mold parts out in a 3D printer (polyjet).
4) Needed some mold-release chemicals to allow the parts to come out of the mold, like greasing a cupcake tin. Didn't have any mold-release handy so I used olive oil.
5) Mold the Sugru around the bare audio plug by hand, while properly aligninge plug into the mold.
6) Close the mold with a C-Clamp and remove excess squeezed out of the mold.
7) 30hrs later, Done! Open the mold and enjoy the new overmolded strain relief I created!"
It is exciting to see that Sugru fans is pushing Sugru into 3D printing and DIY digital manufacturing. Here is another sample - create custom-made stamps using Sugru.
First you need to design a stampmaker using 3D modeling software such as Blender or Google SketchUp. Then you can use any of online 3D printing service such as Shapeways or Ponoko to print the stampmaker using certain material for example Acrylic-based photopolymer. When the stampmaker is ready, you will be able to create your stamps with Sugru. As you can read from the online tutorial here the process is really simple. But if you like stamps, with this amazingly useful material you can make as much stamps as you like!
Sugru is sold in packs containing 8x5g packets in Sugru shop. It is available in all black, black and white, or multicolor with a price tag from £10/$16.20/€11.50 to £11/$17.82/€12.65.
Images credit / source: Sugru
Posted in 3D Printing Accessories
Maybe you also like:
- Open Rail - an open source universal linear rail system
- Open source universal 3D printer extruder on Kickstarter
- Small drive gear for geared stepper motors on Indiegogo
- Interface Board connects USB to your 3D printer
- What is your experience with 3D printer?
- A story behind the design and creation of UltiController
- Meet the amazing and craziest 3D prints come off Objet Connex500
- Fujifilm to offer retailers 3D printers
- DARPA crowd-sourcing new technologies through makers
- Solidscape sold its 1,000th T76Plus 3D printer
- Vision 3D Printer - an optimized RepRap Prusa Mendel on Kickstarter
- New Portabee 3D printer can fit into a laptop bag
- Sky News reports 3D printing could re-shape the world
- EnvisionTEC will release Perfactory Micro end of May
- Inprint 2013 launched focusing on industrial printing technologies
- Robotic hand 3D-printed in one piece
- 3D Printing with Clear Acrylic
- Turning 3D prints failure into art
- MakiBox progress - motion platform assembled
- 3D Systems acquires Bespoke Innovations
- Scientists create robot which can 3D-print its own tools
- Mcor Technologies announces Mcor Iris full color 3D printer
- Trimensional to team up with MakerBot on 3D scanning and exporting
- PP3DP announces New Desktop 3D Printer - UP! Mini