Resin for 3D Printer Ameralabs FLX-300 Black 5kg

AmeraLabs FLX-300 Resin – A Breakthrough Elastomer for Advanced Engineering Applications

In the world of 3D printing with photopolymer resins, finding a material that combines extreme flexibility with mechanical durability has been a challenge until now. AmeraLabs FLX-300 is an innovative elastomer resin that redefines the concept of “flexibility” in MSLA and DLP technology. Designed with engineers, designers and enthusiasts in mind, it offers rubber-like properties while maintaining exceptional dimensional accuracy and longevity that will truly stand the test of time. If you are looking for a material for manufacturing gaskets, soft robotics components or vibration dampers, FLX-300 is the solution that will meet your most stringent requirements.

Why is AmeraLabs FLX-300 the choice of professionals?

The key feature that sets FLX-300 apart from the competition is its exceptionally low compression set. In practice, this means that printed components, such as robotic grippers or gaskets, reliably return to their original shape even after prolonged and repeated pressure. This is a critical parameter in industrial applications, where stable performance over time determines the efficiency of the entire system. Grippers retain their compressive strength, dampers do not lose their ability to absorb shocks, and seals maintain constant sealing pressure.

A significant advantage is low water absorption, only 0.79% in 24 hours. This allows the material to maintain dimensional stability in humid environments, which is crucial for seals where swelling could lead to leakage or damage to the mechanism. This resin does not change its mechanical properties when exposed to water or moisture, making it ideal for use in harsh operating conditions.

Versatile Applications: From Prototyping to Production

Thanks to its unique combination of softness and shape recovery, FLX-300 resin is used in many areas:

• Soft Robotics: Production of grippers, pneumatic actuators and other components that need to be flexible yet durable.
• Seals and gaskets: Creation of custom gaskets with precise geometry that do not deform permanently under pressure.
• Vibration damping: Designing vibration isolators and bumpers that effectively absorb kinetic energy.
• Custom-fit parts: Protective elements, overlays and components that come into contact with the body and require softness and flexibility.
• Industry and prototyping: Rapid creation of functional prototypes of rubber parts before moving on to injection moulding.

Importantly, finished prints can be easily trimmed or modified with a standard hobby knife, allowing for additional customisation of parts after the printing process. The solid black colour of the resin gives the components a professional, industrial look.

Compatibility with 3D printers

AmeraLabs FLX-300 is designed to work with a wide range of 3D printers using MSLA, LCD and DLP technologies that emit UV light with a wavelength of 365-420 nm. It works well on both modern printers with monochrome LCD screens and older colour models.

Confirmed compatibility includes, among others:

• MSLA/LCD printers: Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K, Elegoo Saturn series, Anycubic Photon M5.
• DLP printers: Asiga, Elegoo Mars 4, Anycubic Photon D2.

Important technical note: Due to its chemical properties, FLX-300 resin should not be used with PDMS-based VATs. Fluoropolymer films such as FEP, PFA or ACF are strongly recommended.

Printing Guide: How to Achieve the Best Results?

Printing with high-viscosity elastomeric materials differs from working with standard resins. To ensure success, there are a few key recommendations to follow:

Resin preparation: Before printing, heat the resin to at least 25°C. A higher temperature reduces viscosity, which facilitates the flow of material under the platform and improves detail quality. Also, remember to level the work platform precisely.

Support settings: The flexibility of the material requires solid support. It is recommended to use supports with a column thickness of 1.5-2 mm and tips with a thickness of 0.4-0.5 mm. The spacing between supports should be small, approximately 2 mm. Avoid tree-type supports and use dense cross-bracing between columns to stabilise the model during printing.

Motion parameters: Use slower lift speeds – approximately 45 mm/min for bottom layers and 45-75 mm/min for normal layers. It is also very important to set long wait times before light exposure (light-off delay), ranging from 2 to 10 seconds, especially for large models or printers with a large working area. This allows the resin to settle under the platform before the next UV flash.

Post-processing: Washing and Curing

The finishing process of a FLX-300 print is crucial to achieving a non-sticky, smooth surface that feels like silicone to the touch. Due to its high viscosity, it is recommended to remove the supports before washing, which facilitates the flow of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) into all corners of the model.

Washing in IPA: Do not leave prints immersed in IPA for more than 30 minutes, as this may adversely affect the properties of the polymer. The optimal washing time in a “Wash and Cure” station is 15 minutes. If the model has complex geometry, channels or lattice structures, the washing and drying process can be repeated until all resin residue is removed. Soaking in IPA without agitation is not recommended. For ultrasonic washers, limit the time to a maximum of 15 minutes.

Drying and final curing: After washing, the print must dry for at least 30 minutes before UV curing. The post-curing time depends on the power of your station and can range from 15 minutes to an hour. The process should be continued until the surface is no longer sticky. For best results, curing can be performed in a vacuum or under an inert gas atmosphere, which eliminates oxygen inhibition and speeds up the process.

Are you interested in implementing elastomer technology in your company? Contact our technical advisor for a personalised commercial offer for AmeraLabs FLX-300 resin and support in optimising your production processes!

Questions and Answers (Q&A)

1. What makes FLX-300 better than other flexible resins?
The main advantage is its exceptionally low compression set parameter, thanks to which prints return to their shape even after intense compression, ensuring long-term performance of mechanical parts.

2. What is the Shore hardness of this resin?
The resin has a Shore A hardness of 44, which corresponds to the softness and compressibility typical of rubber-like materials and silicones.

3. Are FLX-300 prints sticky to the touch?
No, after proper washing and post-curing, the surface of the print becomes completely non-sticky, smooth and pleasant to the touch.

4. Is the material suitable for contact with water?
Yes, FLX-300 has very low water absorption (0.79% in 24 hours), making it ideal for gaskets and components operating in high humidity conditions.

5. Which printers is AmeraLabs FLX-300 compatible with?
It is compatible with most MSLA, LCD and DLP printers emitting light with a wavelength of 365-420 nm, such as models from Phrozen, Elegoo, Anycubic and Asiga.

6. What film should I use in the vat?
Fluoropolymer films such as FEP, PFA or ACF are strongly recommended. Do not use vat trays based on a PDMS layer.

7. How long can I wash prints in isopropyl alcohol?
The maximum immersion time in IPA is 30 minutes. Prolonged contact with alcohol may permanently alter the mechanical properties of the material. Washing for 15 minutes is recommended.

8. Can I cut the finished prints?
Yes, due to the flexibility of the material, finished parts can be easily modified, cut or trimmed with a standard hobby knife.

9. What supports are best for this material?
It is recommended to use thick supports (1.5-2 mm column) with dense cross bracing. Avoid “tree” type supports, which may not provide sufficient stability.

10. Does the resin emit a strong odour?
AmeraLabs FLX-300 is characterised by low odour, which significantly improves comfort in an office or home environment.

Investing in AmeraLabs FLX-300 resin is a step towards professionalising your 3D production. This material not only imitates flexibility, it offers it in its most engineered form. Whether you are working on an advanced robotics project or need reliable seals for your machines, FLX-300 will provide you with the stability and precision you can rely on. Contact us today to learn more about the capabilities of this elastomer and order a sample for testing!

Information from external sources: Please note that although FLX-300 is moisture resistant, it is always recommended to store the resin in a dry and cool place, away from direct sunlight, to preserve its chemical properties throughout its shelf life. Before each use, it is also a good idea to gently mix the resin in the bottle to ensure uniform pigment dispersion.

With FLX-300, the boundaries between 3D printing and traditional rubber manufacturing are blurring. The ability to rapidly iterate complex geometries that behave like professional elastomers provides an unprecedented competitive advantage. AmeraLabs has ensured that the printing process is predictable and the end results are repeatable, making this resin one of the best choices on the modern photopolymer market.

Take advantage of our experts’ knowledge and join the group of users who trust the quality of AmeraLabs. FLX-300 is more than just flexibility – it is engineering precision in every detail of your print.