This paper describes an ongoing effort towards extending the capabilities of the fused deposition
modeling (FDM) process to soft thermoplastic elastomers (STPEs). Two thermoplastic
elastomers with hardness of 72 and 78 Shore A, respectively, have been processed into 0.070"
(1.78 mm) filament stock for use in the FDM 1600 rapid prototyping system. The FDM 1600
liquifier subsystem has been modified to accommodate the reduced column strength ofthe STPE
filament stock. Sample STPE parts have been fabricated with ABS material support structures.Mechanical Engineerin