Technique for Manufacturing a Star-Shaped Elastic-Clutch Element Using Additive Manufacturing Technology

A technique for manufacturing a star-shaped elastic-clutch element using the FDM (fused deposition modeling)/FFF (fused filament fabrication) additive manufacturing technology is discussed. The investigation of properties and the choice of engineering plastics, specifically TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), are described. When an appropriate material is chosen, additive manufacturing is shown to successfully produce parts capable of withstanding mechanical loads and long-term operation, which results in extremely rapid production, a high accuracy, and even lower costs compared to other traditional technologies.