Recently, according to Mohou.com, we learned thatfrom GermanyOECHSLERThe company develops a mountaineering backpack that uses for the first time3DA shock-absorbing printed mesh material, this innovation aims to take the field of additive manufacturing to the next level.OECHSLERThe proposal won the Red Dot Design Concept Award, awarded annually to the best product design.OECHSLEThe company claims that with this backpack, hiking enthusiasts will enjoy a more comfortable carrying experience while hiking.
△OECHSLERhiking backpack
As we have seen on many other occasions,3DThe use of printing in consumer products, including sporting goods, offers many benefits to businesses. Many everyday products can already be manufactured using additive manufacturing, for example: Adidas4DFWDsneaker soles,Squishy Mousecomputer mouse orENEMYThis is true for bicycle saddles, but the most interesting thing is that all of these elements, alsoOECHSLERBackpacks all have something in common.3DThe complexity of shapes made possible by printing technology offers the possibility of creating mesh structures that absorb shock and provide greater comfort to the user.
△4DFWDsneakers
3DPrintOECHSLERShock-absorbing net in the backpack
Since 2017 For years,OECHSLERis one of the global pioneers of additive manufacturing and its additive solutions continue to inspire leading customers in various markets. NOW,OECHSLER Use an industrial scale 3D Printing technology and high performance from BASF Ultrasint® TPU01 A new generation of hiking backpacks has been developed. The main objective is to use 3D Plaid-printed comfort features replace traditional foam-based back padding to enhance the hiker’s carrying experience. The result is a hiking backpack that meets the needs of outdoor enthusiasts. Also,OECHSLER also using 100% Recyclable materials satisfy hikers’ desire for a sustainable lifestyle.
To achieve this shock absorption, the backpack has a unique mesh structure. The technology used in this case is that of HPFusion MultiJet,as well asBASF Forward AMofUltrasint®TPU01Material. This honeycomb design and its placement inside the bag creates a cushioning effect between the back of the bag and the wearer. In addition, elastomeric materials were chosen to provide high strength, flexibility and durability to the part while maintaining good surface quality.
△The lattice structure of the shock-absorbing mesh (photo source:OECHSLER)
the story behind
The hiking backpack is designed to be more ergonomic, lighter and uses fewer materials than a real cushion, inspired byOECHSLERAG Additive manufacturing project manager——Leonhard Klein Ph.D. He took advantage of his summer vacation to go hiking, and after a few hours of wandering, his shirt was soaked in the carrying area of his backpack. As usual, he changed his shirt and continued walking.
Even with very high-quality equipment, unpleasant wearing comfort can still exist at the point where the backpack and the body meet. Other hikers seemed to have the same problem, such as during a break at a shelter. Back in his office, he studied the so-called inevitable.
What would the ideal baby carrier look like to minimize heat and friction in the carrying area? After,OECHSLERThe additive manufacturing team decided to rethink the traditional folder. Various analyzes regarding pressure points are removed in order to establish the perfect geometry and start file programming and first test prints.
A few weeks later, they were able to test the first printed back pad, including the abdominal strap: and saw a huge improvement.
Unprecedented functionality brings ultimate comfort
The fully integrated cushioning experience unlocks superior comfort through a freely designable lattice structure only possible through additive manufacturing.3D The open-hole structure of the printed rear pad and anal fin significantly improves airflow and minimizes heat build-up, resulting in significantly lower temperatures (3 arrive 5 degrees Celsius) and an increase in relative humidity in the contact zone of the hiker’s back. Additionally, peak and average contact pressures have been significantly reduced. The damping properties of the truss structure can be adjusted by the geometry of the truss, the thickness of the struts and the size of the truss. This allows different areas of the mesh to have different degrees of stiffness, increasing cushioning properties and comfort.
The four different examples below show OECHSLER of versatile materials and design options that offer unlimited flexibility in terms of functionality, comfort and visual impact.
Driven by the philosophy of providing our customers with greater flexibility and production efficiency,OECHSLER Small batches as well as large batches and complex components can be mass produced. special Ultrasint® TPU01 The material is versatile TPUdelivering strong, flexible and highly durable part performance with excellent surface quality.
In addition, the material is very easy to print, has high process stability and is 3D One of the highest yields of flexible materials in the printing market. As an additional hardware option,Carbon of UPR 41 It is a production-scale elastomeric material, particularly suitable for elastomeric meshes that require high elasticity. The duration of a print depends on the network structure and therefore varies considerably.
sustainability
Thanks to the design flexibility offered by additive manufacturing, the dorsal pad and anal fin can be produced in one piece, reducing assembly steps, assembly time and ultimately costs significantly , eliminating the need for gluing or sewing. Moreover, raw Ultrasint® TPU01 The powder is completely reusable in subsequent printing jobs. Additionally, at the end of their life cycle, printed parts may 100% Recycle. This makes OECHSLER The printed elements of the hiking backpack become a completely sustainable solution.
To summarize
OECHSLER Providing customized travel backpack printing solutions, including full service from development to global production. Hiking backpack with integrated sound 3D The printed mesh comfort cushion creates a new carrying experience. Some of the key benefits for customers are summarized below:
Maximize air circulation
The temperature of the hiker’s rear contact zone is significantly lower (3 has 5 degrees Celsius) and relative humidity increases
Reduce maximum and average contact pressure
Damping characteristics can be adjusted according to different stiffnesses of a component
Unlimited design flexibility
Easy and quick assembly
100% Recycle printing materials
Source: 3D Printing Network
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