Advancing in footwear manufacturing with cutting-edge filament solutions like Filaflex FOAMY

We are thrilled to introduce our latest material development, the new Filaflex FOAMY filament. An innovative flexible TPU filament with dynamic foaming technology for printing lightweight and flexible parts, ideal for the footwear industry.

A new era: the 3D printing revolution in the footwear industry

We are entering a new era in footwear manufacturing, 3D printing technology is revolutionizing the industry. Thanks to additive manufacturing and innovative materials, such as our new flexible Filaflex FOAMY filament, we are witnessing a paradigm shift in the sector.

Until a few decades ago, shoes were handmade, crafted entirely by hand with multiple manufacturing phases and components. However, AM technology has allowed customization for each pair of shoes according to each individual's needs.

This new footwear manufacturing method is not only more efficient but also facilitates recycling and material reuse. By using a single material in manufacturing, there is no need to separate it into different components, reducing waste and contributing to sustainability.

More and more companies are venturing into this field and specializing in 3D printed shoe manufacturing. Institutes or research training centers, such as Footwearology, are also working hard to professionalize and improve these processes in the industry.

The era of personalized and sustainable footwear manufacturing is here, and our company is proud to offer the Filaflex FOAMY filament, ideal for its production.

Discover the new Filaflex FOAMY filament

Filaflex FOAMY is a flexible TPU filament that uses dynamic foaming technology to print lightweight elastic parts with reduced weight and density. Thanks to this technology, we are able to increase the performance and productivity of the filament spool.

Filaments

Filaflex Foamy

Recreus
$54.90
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1 Review(s) 
Filaflex Foamy is a flexible TPU filament that uses dynamic foaming technology to print lightweight elastic parts with reduced weight and density, which allows for increased performance and productivity of the filament spool. Flexible TPU filament Elastic and lightweight parts Shore hardness from 78A to 51A Dynamic foaming technology Weight and density...

Dynamic foaming technology

Filaflex FOAMY is the revolutionary flexible filament in the Filaflex line. This innovative addition to the TPU filament range uses dynamic foaming technology to print elastic and lightweight parts. With Filaflex FOAMY, a significant reduction in weight and density is achieved in printed creations. This new option in flexible filaments from Filaflex offers a unique experience in 3D printing, allowing the creation of more efficient and versatile parts.

Shore hardness 78A-51A

Filaflex FOAMY has an initial Shore hardness of 78A, making it perfect for applications requiring elasticity and fatigue resistance. However, the Shore hardness may vary depending on the printing parameters you configure on your 3D printer, reaching up to a shore hardness of 51A. By adjusting the temperature, flow, and speed, you can obtain different finishes of the same piece printed with Filaflex FOAMY. For example, if you work with a temperature between 245ºC and 250ºC and a flow between 60% and 70%, the material will expand and foam 1.4 to 1.6 times more than its original volume. On the other hand, if you use a higher flow, between 90% and 100%, you will get pieces with higher Shore hardness, less elasticity, and without the foamy texture or finish.

Up to 40% increase in spool performance

Thanks to this technology, the Filaflex FOAMY flexible filament spool offers unparalleled performance, allowing you to print between 30% and 40% more with the same amount of material. For example, if you adjust the flow to 60%, you will get a reduction in the weight and density of the printed piece, allowing you to use between 30% and 40% extra material to print more pieces with that same spool. This will help you maximize your productivity, improving material performance and optimization.

What is dynamic foaming technology?

  • Dynamic foaming technology, used by Filaflex FOAMY, is a process in which a plastic material is capable of expanding and forming foam during printing.
  • This process is achieved by introducing a foaming agent into the plastic material, which is activated during filament extrusion.
  • During printing, the filament with the foaming agent is heated and extruded through the printer nozzle. As the material exits the nozzle, the foaming agent is activated and generates bubbles, causing the expansion and formation of foam within the filament.
  • This foam creates a cellular structure within the polymer matrix, making it lighter and with specific properties, such as increased compression resistance.
  • This technology allows for the creation of objects with reduced weight, increased strength, and improved thermal or acoustic insulation capabilities.
  • Furthermore, dynamic foaming enables the creation of more complex and lightweight structures, reducing material consumption and printing time, which are significant advantages for improving productivity in manufacturing.

Filaflex FOAMY in action! through the microscope

In the following video, you can appreciate the fascinating foaming effect of Filaflex FOAMY through a microscope. The filament is subjected to hot air at a temperature of 255ºC, which activates the foaming agent and creates a visually beautiful foamy structure.

Filaflex FOAMY, the best partner for digital footwear manufacturing

As we have seen so far, Filaflex FOAMY is undoubtedly an optimal and perfect filament solution for digital footwear manufacturing.

If you want to know how we have printed a sneaker with this material and what parameters we have configured, don't miss this timelapse video!

Detail of the parameters used in the video to print the sneaker with Filaflex FOAMY.

Discover the complete range of the Filaflex family and its available Shore hardnesses

Filaflex Foamy

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1 Review(s) 
Filaflex Foamy is a flexible TPU filament that uses dynamic foaming technology to print lightweight elastic parts with reduced weight and density, which allows for increased performance and productivity of the filament spool. Flexible TPU filament Elastic and lightweight parts Shore hardness from 78A to 51A Dynamic foaming technology Weight and density...
$54.90

Filaflex 60A

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5 Review(s) 
TPU Filament Filaflex 60A 'PRO' is the most elastic and flexible filament on the market for 3d printers. This filament is only suitable for the most experienced and daring 3d printing enthusiasts using flexible fialments. Shore hardness 60A 950% stretch Extremely elastic Resistant to solvents and fuel Odourless No hotbed required Made in the EU
$57.90

Filaflex 70A

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7 Review(s) 
TPU Filament Filaflex 70A, 'Ultra-Soft', is a highly elastic and advanced filament from the Filaflex range for 3D printers. Shore hardness 70A 900% stretch Very high elasticity Resistant to solvents and fuel Odourless No hotbed required Made in the EU
$54.90

Filaflex 95A

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1 Review(s) 
The TPU filament Filaflex 95A, 'Medium-Flex', is the perfect flexible filament for beginners in flexible printing. It is a semi-flexible filament, compatible with all 3D printers on the market, including bowden-type extruder printers (with tube).. Shore hardness 95A 500% stretch Medium elasticity Compatible with all printers Resistant to solvents and...
$44.90

Reciflex

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3 Review(s) 
Recycled TPU filament, 100% from recycled origin. Very easy to print! Shore hardness 96A-98A 100% recycled Made in the EU
$41.90

Filaflex Purifier

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0 Review(s) 
TPU filament Filaflex Purifier is a flexible filament of Filaflex range for 3D printing, which due to the use of the most innovative additives helps mitigate pollution and purify the environment by adsorbing CO2, NOx and VOCs and converting them into harmless mineral waste through gas mineralisation. A sustainable filament designed to help reduce CO2 and...
$54.90

Conductive Filaflex

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2 Review(s) 
Conductive Filaflex TPU filament is an electrically conductive flexible filament, ideal for manufacturing electrically conductive parts or components and for creating wearable devices. Shore hardness 92A Flexible and conductive Made in the EU
$79.90

Filaflex SEBS

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0 Review(s) 
TPE filament Filaflex SEBS by Recreus is a rubber-based 3D printing filament that combines Filaflex's flexibility and durability with other properties such as insulation, waterproofness and chemical and thermal resistance. In addition, the filament produces a magnificent final finish of the part and a wide range of uses and applications in the industrial...
$45.90