Play Mode: SoftGel Over Hard Parts
How It Works:
Place a heat-resistant hard insert (such as ABS or PC) into the mold, then inject the heated softgel material. Once cooled, the result is a solid-soft hybrid part with integrated structure and flexibility.
Recommended Materials:
- ✅ Best for embedding:
- ABS: Naturally adheres to softgel during molding — ideal for high-strength applications like wheels or suction cups.
- PC (Polycarbonate): High heat resistance and suitable surface texture allow strong bonding with softgel.
- ❌ Not recommended:
- PLA / PETG / Metal: Smooth surfaces lead to weak bonding with softgel and a higher risk of separation or failure.
💡 Pro Tip: Understanding Self-Adhesion
During injection, softgel materials can physically bond to certain plastics as they cool, especially materials like ABS and PC, which offer microscopic surface textures or slight porosity at molding temperatures. ⚠️ However, this same property makes ABS unsuitable as a mold material — parts tend to stick strongly and may tear or damage the mold during demolding.
✅ That’s why we suggest this optimal material pairing:
- Use PETG or resin-based molds (for easier release and durability)
- Use ABS / PC inserts (for strong, glue-free bonding inside the softgel)
Showcase Examples:
🚗 Toy Car Tires
- Inner core printed in ABS
- Outer ring formed with 40A softgel for added grip and tactile realism
🛠 Industrial Suction Cups
- Central structure made from PC or ABS
- Outer suction cup formed via softgel injection — airtight, flexible, and durable without any glue
