Effects of orientation and density of thermoplastic polyurethane honeycomb print on impact response in footwear and absorption applications

Abstract

This study examined how 3D printing might increase impact force reduction in footwear application. The study used 3D honeycomb constructions of thermoplastic polyurethane to show how print orientation and density affect footwear's sensitivity to impact energy. Thorough characterization and standardized testing were used to analyze 3D-printed honeycomb lattice mechanical properties. This showed that construction orientation and density affect stiffness and elasticity. The fundamental investigation in this study revolved around the crucial relationship between construction orientation and density, which affects impact force dissipation. The transverse structure exhibited the highest impact reduction efficiency of 0.75 in our analysis, whereas the alternative structures only managed 0.65. Conversely, the impact reduction was significantly more influenced by the appropriate structural density than by the orientation angle. Impact mitigation and absorption applications can be better accommodated through the use of 3D honeycomb TPU printing, which enables manufacturers to create comfortable protection.