Featherlight Head Protection by Additive Manufacturing

SASSHPPE aims at light head safety devices with optimum protection. A broad variety of materials is available for 3D printing which all come with different properties when printed. Especially with respect to shock absorption, it is the combination of material and geometry that brings advantages to the core functionality. The impact of enhanced shock absorption is maximised through individual design which fits shape and size of the device to the person wearing such helmets.

From challenges so solutions

A broad variety of materials is available for 3D printing which all come with different properties when printed. Especially with respect to shock absorption, it is the combination of material and geometry that brings advantages to the core functionality. The impact of enhanced shock absorption is maximised through individual design which fits shape and size of the device to the person wearing such helmets. In detail, the challenges are:

  • Develop combinations of materials and structures that maximise protection levels
  • Create designs that enable predefined protection at individual form and size
  • Implement prototypes that are optimised by weight providing increased protection and wearing comfort

The overall challenge of SASSHPPE is to identify combinations of materials and internal structures that provide advantages in safety and wearing comfort at acceptable production price.  

SASSHPPE has to compete with conventionally manufactured safety helmets which are mostly based on solutions with foams. These foam based solutions can be produced at very competitive prices which makes challenging for the new solution. Key selling points such as individual protection and weight will decide on the success of the solution.

Improve functionality: Once SASSHPPE has identified a material combination that enables a robust and reliable construction of the shock absorbing hull inside the helmet, a path will be described to realise individual shapes. Further investigations will have to provide information and design constraints that assist in individualisation of the specific forms that are needed to serve all customers.

Price: In the current markets, numerous manufacturers offer helmets at a high price tag. All of these offerings address haptic features or properties that fall into the area of fashion style. SASSHPPE addresses functional advantages which creates a fully unseen offering.