- Soft jaws and contact pads
- Protective covers and bumpers
- Flexible grips and equipment feet
TPU // SAN FRANCISCO
TPU 3D Printing in San Francisco
Order flexible, rubber-like TPU parts in softer 85A or firmer 95A HF. Upload CAD for pads, grips, covers, and robotics contact surfaces.
Both TPU grades are stocked in black. Same-day options are subject to file review, preparation, print duration, and capacity.
QUICK RECOMMENDATION // SERVICE FIT
Is this the right service?
Choose AIURION for flexible TPU when your part needs to bend, cushion, or conform to another surface. Start with 85A for softer contact and 95A HF for a firmer part that still flexes.
- Process
- FDM printed TPU
- Hardness options
- 85A / 95A HF
- Color
- Black
- Handoff
- SF pickup / Bay Area courier / US shipping
- The part must stay rigid under load
- You need molded silicone or a specified elastomer we do not stock
- A certified seal or rated protective device is required
SERVICE DETAILS // HOW IT WORKS
Choose hardness and geometry together.
TPU is a thermoplastic polyurethane with a rubber-like feel. Shore A hardness compares the material; wall thickness and infill change how the printed part compresses and bends.
85A: softer contact
Use TPU 85A as a starting point for compliant pads, cushioning, and covers. Test the actual contact area and compression travel against your assembly.
95A HF: firmer flexibility
Use TPU 95A HF for grips, guards, and feet that need more shape retention. A thin section can still bend substantially; hardness alone does not define part stiffness.
Price the actual flexible part
Material is $0.10/g for TPU 85A or $0.09/g for TPU 95A HF. The $100 job minimum applies once to material plus machine time at $60/hour, including setup and cooldown. Material is included in the minimum. Rush, fulfillment, tax, and separately quoted hardware are additional. TPU includes a 20-minute setup and cooldown allowance per occupied plate.
MATERIALS // CURRENT CATALOG
Two TPU hardness options, one service.
Compare the softer and firmer options below. Available colors and material data come from the same catalog used by the quote tool.
BEST FOR
Soft pads, flexible covers, and cushioning prototypes.
APPLICATION LIMIT
Flexibility depends on wall thickness, infill, and geometry. Avoid exposure to acids or alkalis; Bambu does not publish an HDT or Vicat value for TPU 85A.
BEST FOR
Flexible guards, grips, and protective-part prototypes.
APPLICATION LIMIT
TPU 95A HF remains flexible and does not replace a rigid structural material. Avoid exposure to acids or alkalis; Bambu does not publish an HDT or Vicat value for TPU 95A HF.
TURNAROUND // EXPECTATIONS
Plan your TPU print and local handoff.
Many standard jobs take 24–48 hours. Same-day options depend on the model, material preparation, print duration, and the current queue.
Upload the production file
InstantQuote accepts STL, OBJ, STEP, STP, and 3MF files up to 5 MB each. Select material, color, quantity, and fulfillment to see the quote.
Confirm the production window
A technician reviews the file before production. Include your required pickup or delivery time so we can confirm whether same-day service is feasible.
Collect or receive your parts
Choose Downtown San Francisco pickup, Bay Area courier, or US shipping. Shipping transit is separate from production time.
PART EXAMPLES // APPLICATIONS
Where flexible TPU is useful.
These are application candidates. The finished part's geometry, print orientation, and operating conditions determine its performance.
Robot contact pads
Add a compliant contact face to a gripper or fixture. Prototype the texture, compression, and attachment before repeated handling.
Protective covers and bumpers
Cushion non-critical contact around handheld hardware or prototype assemblies while leaving room for connectors and fasteners.
Grips and sleeves
Try a flexible interface around a tool or handle. Specify whether it must stretch over the assembly or slide into position.
Equipment feet
Prototype compliant feet or spacers. Test deflection under the actual equipment weight; a Shore value is not a payload rating.
BEFORE PRODUCTION // CHECKLIST
Design for the way the part flexes.
A useful TPU brief describes contact, travel, and attachment as well as outside dimensions.
Identify contact and loading
Tell us which face contacts another part, the intended load, and how far the printed feature should compress or bend.
Allow for assembly
Show mating geometry and mounting points. Thick walls, dense infill, and short flexures make a part feel stiffer even with the same TPU grade.
Test a representative part
Check fit, recovery, and wear before scaling the order. For repeated compression or flexing, test the expected cycle and dwell time.
INSTANT QUOTE // HUMAN REVIEW
Upload your CAD file and get an instant quote.
Quote STL, OBJ, STEP, STP, or 3MF files. Select quantity, material and color, rush or standard production, and local pickup, Bay Area courier, or US shipping.
KNOWLEDGE BASE // FAQ
Questions about tpu 3d printing in san francisco.
These answers describe the current AIURION print service. The actual file, application, quantity, and active production queue determine the final plan.
01 What is the difference between TPU 85A and TPU 95A HF?
TPU 85A is softer and more compliant. TPU 95A HF is firmer while remaining flexible. Wall thickness, infill, and geometry also affect stiffness, so choose the hardness alongside the part design.
02 Is TPU the same as rubber or silicone?
TPU is a thermoplastic polyurethane with rubber-like flexibility. It is not silicone or a direct substitute for every molded rubber compound. Specify the contact surface, environment, and required behavior when choosing it.
03 Can you print TPU gaskets or seals?
We can print a supplied TPU shape for fit and compression trials. Layered FDM parts are not automatically watertight, airtight, or pressure-rated. A sealing application needs validation with its actual fluid, pressure, surface finish, and compression.
04 How much does TPU 3D printing cost?
TPU 85A: $0.10/g; TPU 95A HF: $0.09/g for material. The $100 job minimum applies once to material plus machine time at $60/hour, including setup and cooldown. Material is included in the minimum. Rush, fulfillment, tax, and separately quoted hardware are additional. The per-gram rate is not the complete print price; upload your model for the job total.
05 Can you print TPU the same day in San Francisco?
Same-day pickup or Bay Area courier is available for feasible jobs after file review. Material preparation, geometry, print duration, quantity, and capacity determine the confirmed window. Many standard orders take 24–48 hours.
06 What file formats do you accept?
Upload STL, OBJ, STEP, STP, or 3MF files, up to 5 MB per file. Confirm units, dimensions, and the final CAD revision before ordering.
START WITH THE FILE
Upload your CAD for a TPU quote.
Choose your material and quantity in InstantQuote, review the total, and complete Stripe checkout. We review the file before production.