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Cheap Printable Rubber-like Material to Fit a Boot?

01/02/2020 10:47 AM

Hi,

Does anyone know of a thin cheap printable rubber like material? Something that can be molded to fit like a boot over specific size panels.

Thanks

Chris

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#1

Re: Large Rubber Boot

01/02/2020 11:57 AM

<...anyone...> Yes. Google came up with these people (not an endorsement).

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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Large Rubber Boot

01/02/2020 12:09 PM

Interesting. Thanks

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#3

Re: Large Rubber Boot

01/02/2020 1:21 PM

When you say printable do you mean something that can be 3d printed or do you mean you can print graphics on the material? The way you describe it, it sounds like you are looking for a thin sheet of something that can be molded in some way, stays flexible and have graphics printed on it.

There are a number of flexible 3d printing filaments such as ninjaflex if you have a 3d printer available. The service linked above looks to me like it is done with a Stratasys polyjet. This brings up another option which is to use a UV curable resin that can be printed with SLA. Most 3d printed stuff isn't very large not sure if that will be a factor to you. Also 3d printed stuff may have some porosity to it and may be semi permeable unless some type of post processing is done.

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#4
In reply to #3

Re: Large Rubber Boot

01/02/2020 1:40 PM

Yes graphic printing thanks.

for the part itself I was thinking of molds or dip or spray molding on a positive die, with graphic added later.. but I'm not that familiar with the technology. I'm not sure hydrographic would work, but that would represent the diversity of graphic I'm thinking of.

at the moment I'm not interested in porous. this is intended to be a waterproof boot.

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#5

Re: Large Rubber Boot

01/02/2020 1:57 PM
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#6
In reply to #5

Re: Large Rubber Boot

01/02/2020 2:24 PM

like this.. but the area inside the purple on top is the boot area, retained by the groove around it. the boot acts as both end water seal, boot, and graphic area.

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#7
In reply to #5

Re: Large Rubber Boot

01/02/2020 2:27 PM

thanks. I had thought of the spray on rubber. I don't know if is considered a good application for this sort of thing, due to the area covered. maybe that is expensive. if I weld an aluminum frame completely like this, then it warps and is worse for thin sheet. although welding complete provides waterproofing, it sucks for time and warpage. if the waterproofing is provided in another way (ie. boot) then the welds can be spot weld or stitch weld. I should also state that I would like it to be removeable or replaceable (different graphics or seal repair)

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#8
In reply to #7

Re: Large Rubber Boot

01/02/2020 4:00 PM

What about just afixing a plexiglass sheet and printing on that....?...or vinyl lettering....or a formed thin plastic cover...

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#9
In reply to #7

Re: Large Rubber Boot

01/02/2020 5:20 PM

After a quick google search I found this company that makes rubber and silicone sheets, and this company that makes inks for printing on latex and silicone for swim caps and such,

I didn't spend much time on it, but I think they could probably at least get you headed in the right direction for what you want to do.

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#10
In reply to #9

Re: Large Rubber Boot

01/02/2020 5:38 PM

Thanks! I'll look into them.

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#11

Re: Cheap Printable Rubber-like Material to Fit a Boot?

01/03/2020 6:54 AM

Most Inkjet Printers(Video Jet,others) rely on a fixed distance to target to get good results.

However,a properly chosen Laser Printer(not laser jet)can adjust for varying distances and maintain resolution,but are comparatively slow.

This may be the answer your are looking for,but probably $$$$$. Good luck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMy85f0eXE

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#12
In reply to #11

Re: Cheap Printable Rubber-like Material to Fit a Boot?

01/03/2020 10:49 AM

thank you. I didn't get much from that video, but the next one has vacuum printing on semirigid materials. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty-GnlzpnBM

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#13

Re: Cheap Printable Rubber-like Material to Fit a Boot?

01/06/2020 2:39 PM

I've used vinyl dip coating with subsequent screen or pad transfer printing to add graphics and text. You can probably find examples of something similar in the cleaning supplies or kitchen gadgets section of a grocery store for mop handle grips or kitchen gadget handles. I used the process for a hanger that would slip over the end of a tube and had a hole through a tab on the end to go on a hanger hook for sales display and for storage on a pegboard hook.

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#14
In reply to #13

Re: Cheap Printable Rubber-like Material to Fit a Boot?

01/06/2020 6:28 PM

Thank you.

I was looking at some carbon fiber hockey sticks on the weekend, and they are thin film rubber coated with graphics on the handles.. which would be great.. if affordable

but I have no idea how it was done. (and would love to know. it may be just like your description)

but I've rethought printing on a clear sheet, and then perhaps I can capture that with a boot around the outside.

Chris

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#15
In reply to #14

Re: Cheap Printable Rubber-like Material to Fit a Boot?

01/06/2020 7:16 PM

The vinyl is dip molded onto the part or onto a mandrel tool and then stripped off.

Look up screen printing and pad printing for those two processes.

You could also laser engrave and fill with vinyl liquid as well.

The clear film could be used with a version of in-mold decoration. The clear material is printed on the back side and applied to the wet dipped vinyl and cures on the surface of the vinyl part if the film is compatible.

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