Designing Smarter Structures
- Stiven Kodra
- Aug 5, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 12
How Inkbit’s 3D Printed Lattices Perform Under Pressure
August 5, 2025 - By Stiven Kodra Inkbit Engineering
As part of our mission to accelerate product innovation through digital driven manufacturing, Inkbit is proud to share findings from a new compression analysis of our standard 3D printed lattice structures. This blog post highlights key insights from testing multiple lattice configurations produced with our elastomeric TEPU materials, focusing on how geometry, density, and material behavior affect performance under mechanical stress.
What We Tested
We evaluated twelve standard lattice configurations across four structural families: Gyroid, Diamond, Fluorite, Octet, and BCC. Each was printed in TEPU 30A and TEPU 50A using Inkbit’s Vision-Controlled Jetting platform. The samples were fabricated as cylindrical test specimens and subjected to controlled vertical compression using a universal testing machine.
Each lattice varied by
Strut thickness
Cell size
Lattice density (percentage of solid volume)
A solid sample was included as a benchmark to measure maximum compressive strength. For consistency, all specimens featured a 0.5 mm skin on the top and bottom, as used in our standard lattice sampler card.
Force Displacement and Stress Strain Results
Across all configurations, lattice structures exhibited a three-phase compression response:
Initial Ramp-Up
Elastic response dominated by strut stiffness and geometry.
Plateau Region
A flat force range where deformation occurs with minimal load increase, ideal for energy absorption.
Densification
The lattice structure collapses and begins behaving like a solid, causing a rapid increase in force.
Consistent behavior across materials and lattice types, this provides a clear framework for evaluating mechanical performance.
Performance by Lattice Type
Gyroid (Samples A–D)
TEPU 50A increased stiffness by up to 50% over 30A.
Thicker struts and smaller cells, as seen in Sample C, produced higher compressive strength.
These lattices showed bending-dominated behavior with smooth load curves and extended plateaus.
Suitable for applications requiring gradual deformation and high energy absorption.
Diamond and Fluorite (Samples E–H)
These lattices had lower densities (13–17%) but performed efficiently in compression.
Fluorite H in TEPU 50A reached the highest stress before densification.
Diamond F (30A) was highly compliant and showed delayed force response until over 30% strain.
Best for applications requiring cushioning and lightweight load distribution.
Octet and BCC (Samples I–K)
TEPU 50A samples showed high stiffness and quick transitions into densification.
BCC K closely approached the performance of the solid sample.
Octet J, with thinner struts, offered more compliant behavior despite sharing the same cell size.
Ideal for structural roles with specific tuning requirements.
Geometry vs. Material: What Drives Performance
While material selection influenced stiffness (with TEPU 50A consistently outperforming 30A in load-bearing), geometry was a stronger determinant of behavior.
Key observations:
Stiffness and initial load capacity generally increased with density but were also shaped by lattice geometry.
Small unit cells with thin struts could still perform well if the structure supported efficient load paths.
Onset of densification was driven by the internal void layout and strut orientation.
These findings emphasize that geometry, more than material or density alone, controls the mechanical response of printed lattices.
Summary of Takeaways
Gyroid
Offers balanced compliance and energy absorption.
Diamond and Fluorite
Ideal for lightweight, flexible designs with gradual load curves.
Octet and BCC
Deliver high stiffness and strong load resistance with less plateau behavior.
Solid Sample
Serves as a benchmark for maximum stiffness and validates relative performance.
Material selection plays a secondary role compared to geometry but remains important for adjusting stiffness and plateau length. TEPU 50A performs better in load resistance, while TEPU 30A is better for applications requiring softness and resilience.
Partner With Inkbit to Design Smarter Lattices
We are providing foundational data to help product developers, engineers, and designers create more effective and efficient components using Inkbit’s elite platform.
Contact us for expertise, guidance, or support with:
Tuning cell size, strut thickness, and orientation to meet your mechanical goals
Testing and validating hybrid geometries or new lattice structures
Providing CAD-ready parts for prototyping or production
Conducting additional mechanical testing based on your use case
If you're designing for cushioning, energy absorption, structural support, or material savings, our team can help you engineer a solution built for your exact needs.