Caverna™ ST

Caverna Soft Touch (ST) is an innovative professional-grade elastomeric filament produced by Infinite Material Solutions, specifically engineered for 3D printing lightweight, soft, spongy, and pliable parts. This unique material is a sophisticated blend of two polymers: a soluble component that can be removed through dissolution in warm water and an insoluble build material that remains intact.

Image 1: A soft elastomeric part 3D printed with the Caverna ST filament. Source: Infinite Material Solutions.

This ingenious formulation, also utilized in the Caverna PP filament, results in a product that allows for the creation of lattice patterns within the printed structure. The outcome is a lightweight, soft, and porous material that exhibits enhanced durability and long-term mechanical performance, surpassing traditional cellular materials.

Rigid during printing, soft after soaking

Caverna ST provides exceptional reliability and print fidelity for professional applications, effectively addressing common issues associated with 3D printing soft materials, such as stringing and clogging. During the printing process, Caverna ST behaves as a rigid material with a hardness of 91 Shore A, ensuring excellent print quality and precision.

Image 2: The infill applied influences the Shore hardness of parts printed with the Caverna ST filament. Source: Infinite Material Solutions.

Following the printing process, the filament requires a soak in warm water, which transforms its properties into those of a soft low modulus elastomer, achieving a Shore hardness of 52 A or lower, depending on the selected infill pattern and density. Further details regarding the material's design and characteristics can be found in the accompanying technical documentation.

Breakthrough in additive manufacturing

This innovative filament revolutionizes the creation of soft-touch components, enabling manufacturers to easily produce complex designs without the need for retooling existing machinery or developing new molds. Caverna ST is compatible with AquaSys GP support materials, facilitating the removal of supports and streamlining the production process.

Image 3: The structure of a part printed with the Caverna ST filament before and after soaking. Source: Infinite Material Solutions.

Available in both 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm diameters, Caverna ST is suitable for FDM printers with both Bowden and direct drive extrusion systems due to its behavior as a rigid material during printing. This adaptability accelerates the innovation process, allowing for faster iteration and adaptability in the production of soft-touch parts.

Properties and applications

Beyond its lightweight and breathable characteristics, parts produced with Caverna ST also exhibit impressive durability and shock absorption properties. These attributes make it an ideal choice for a diverse range of applications, including custom-fitted footwear components such as insoles and midsoles or wearable technology accessories and garments.

Image 4: Parts for various applications 3D printed with the Caverna ST filament. Source: Infinite Material Solutions.

The Caverna ST filament is also ideal for the 3D printing of customized sporting goods like helmet padding, and automotive components such as steering wheels, door panels, grips, knobs, and bumpers. Additionally, its utility extends to general manufacturing applications, including non-marring guides, bumpers, rollers, as well as medical devices like prosthetics, orthotics, and soft tissue analogues.

How to print with Caverna ST?

To achieve the final soft properties of Caverna ST, a post-print water soak is essential, followed by thorough drying to eliminate any residual moisture from the material’s pores. Users are advised to avoid thick walls and highly dense infills, as these may hinder complete dissolution during the post-processing stage. For detailed design, printing and post-processing guidelines, users can refer to the Usage Tips and Specifications sections, as well as the accompanying Manual document (Attachments).