| Abstract Scope |
Additively manufactured (AM) polymer lattices are highly tailorable geometries used to achieve a tunable compressive mechanical response desirable in applications such as seat cushions, protective packaging, and helmet pads. They can be directly manufactured using vat photopolymerization and fused filament fabrication (FFF), however, their performance is limited by the mechanical properties (e.g., durometer, strain to break) of available printable elastomers. Additionally, integrating multiple elastomers into the same lattice can prove challenging. Herein, dissolvable polymer molds fabricated via FFF are used to resin cast energy absorbing structures from conventional elastomeric resins that are not generally amenable to direct 3D printing. Because the molds are dissolved after casting, complex and interpenetrating lattices can be formed. Furthermore, interpenetrating lattices comprising multiple elastomer material grades can be implemented. This study shows how dissolvable printed molds can be used to efficiently create complex functional shapes from materials that are not specifically formulated for 3D printing. |