Recommended for:
- Cushioning and damping
- Functional prototypes
- Ergonomic prototyping: handles, grips
- Simulating soft-touch materials
- Adding soft overmolds to multi-material assemblies
- Packaging
- Stamps
Using Flexible Resin V2
Flexible Resin V2 is an elastomer that allows for bendable/compressible parts to be printed on your Formlabs printer.
Not suitable for:
- Simulating very high elongation materials (rubber band)
- Very fine features or thin walls
Note:
To learn more about the performance or specific material properties of Flexible Resin V2, please refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Technical Data Sheet (TDS). Always consult the SDS as the primary source of information to understand safety and handling of Formlabs materials.
To learn more about the performance properties of each Formlabs resin, refer to the library of material properties datasheets.
Notice:
Flexible Resin V2 is not stretchable as it has low elongation. Your model may break if it is exposed to stretching forces. Full material property specs can be found here.
Below are some recommended guidelines for printing your tactile part in Flexible Resin V2.
Design tips
When setting up your part, make sure that your model is in its final shape. For example, if you are printing a watchband, it should print it in its circular form, not as a straight line.
A Flexible watch band printed in its final shape.
Tall, thin features are harder to print because the material will naturally flex during the peel process. If possible, orient your part closer to the build platform but no flatter than 20 degrees. You can also reduce this effect by manually adding additional supports.
Optimal orientation for a Flexible model.
Tip:
While designing your model, keep in mind that its flexibility will depend on its structure and thickness. A denser piece will be impact resistant but not very bendable.
Print settings
Use "Advanced Support Settings" to adjust supports for printing in Flexible Resin V2. Issues may occur during peeling if you move from a layer of large surface area to a layer of small surface area or vice versa for example, if printing thin features like embossed letters or extrusions on a large, flat surface. Try to match the touch point size, and choose an orientation that will minimize this.
The base thickness for printing Flexible pieces should be at least 1.25 mm. The default touch point is 1.60 mm, but 2.20 mm is recommended for larger pieces. Increase the support density for Flexible parts with a large cross section.
Touch point size should be at least 2.20 mm for dense, large models such as this heel.
Tip:
Form 1+ users: pour very slowly when filling your resin tank as the viscosity of this resin is greater than other Formlabs resins. Flexible Resin V2 will take longer to level out. A cautious approach is to fill the tank to ¾ full so that you do not risk overfilling it.
Finishing
Slowly peel your part off with the scraper, as opposed to trying to pop your part off the build platform. Take extra care to ensure that the build platform is fully cleaned after removing your part. The same cleaning procedures can be used for Flexible as standard resins. Formlabs recommends the tank tool for Form 3 tanks or later), the scraper is only for Form 2 tanks.
After washing your part in solvent, allow it to dry completely before post-curing.
Refer to the Form Cure time and temperature settings for post-curing recommendations.
You can sand support marks off Flexible prints and apply mineral oil as you would with standard resins.