Influence of the Type of Plastic and Printing Technologies on the Compressive Behavior of 3D-Printed Heel Prototypes

In this study, the possibility of using modern AM technologies to produce designed heels for personalized orthopedic footwear with a medium heel was explored. Seven variants of heels were produced using three 3D printing methods and polymeric materials with different natures: PA12 heels made using the SLS method, photopolymer heels made using the SLA method, and PLA, TPC, ABS, PETG, and PA (NYLON) heels made using the FDM method. A theoretical simulation with forces of 1000 N, 2000 N, and 3000 N was performed in order to evaluate possible human weight loads and possible pressure during orthopedic shoe production. The compression test of the 3D-printed prototypes of the designed heels showed that it is possible to replace the traditional wooden heels of hand-made personalized orthopedic footwear with good-quality PA12 and photopolymer heels made using the SLS and SLA methods, but also with PLA, ABS, and PA (NYLON) heels printed using a cheaper FDM 3D printing method. All of the heels made using these variants withstood loads of more than 15,000 N without damage. It was determined that TPC is not suitable for a product of this design and purpose. Due to its greater brittleness, the possibility of using PETG for orthopedic shoe heels must be verified by additional experiments.