
3D Printed silicone parts.
Leading UK industrial and product design practice Fripp Design and Research will announce the launch of their new bureau service for 3D printing silicone coming in 2015, at this year's TCT Show + Personalize.
Under their Picsima brand, Fripp Design and Research will have on display a range of 3D printed silicone parts to demonstrate the versatility and capability of their 3D print technology.
“We have spent the past 18 months developing our method for 3D printing Silicone,” said Tom Fripp, Director at Fripp Design and Research. “Because we are using commercially available silicones, we are creating 3D printed parts with the material characteristics provided by the source manufacture but without the need to create a mould and then vacuum cast; we simply 3D print them."
The result is the company can produce soft and extremely durable parts that can be sterilised if required. Fripp adds: "We take out an entire process compared to other polymer based 3D printing technologies. Who needs to cast silicone anymore?”.

Fripp is already making parts for beta test site clients.
The company is already making parts for beta test site clients and is excited to exhibit these parts at the show. Fripp says: “Like all our Industrial Design projects, client feedback is an essential element of a successful project. TCT + Personalise is a fantastic opportunity for us to show test parts so we can gauge the response from the 3D print industry as we continue to fine tune the technology."
The company claim they will achieve 10 Shore A with temperature ranges from -30OC up to 250OC, performance levels never achieved before in the 3D printing of silicone.
Picsima can be seen on stand K31 at TCT + Personalize which takes place at the NEC from September 30th to October 2nd 2014. Register for free here.