Can Vertex print PVA?

Vertex 3D Printer Vertex - Your printer, creations, and ideas for im
1

Has anyone tried printing with PVA, water soluble support material?

2

We tried printing with PVA but at the moment the PVA carbonizes in the printhead when its kept at temperature for a longer time and resulting in a badly clogged nozzle. At the moment we do not recommend it.

3

Were you able to find out why that was?

4

Thank you, glad I didn’t try then…

Have you tried HIPS?

5

HIPS prints about the same as ABS

6

i would say beware of hips, due to my own experiments with it, i can say that you can print it, but the main problem is getting it to stick.

Only way i see hips would be working with the buildtak is with a massive pla raft or with a heated bed.

printing hips directly on the buildtak is just not working, i tryed more times than i can remenber because i really wanted it to be possible :frowning:

7

I have been toying around with PVA on my printer and i have been reading alot of documentation all over the internet not so long ago when i first learned upp on it for usage on a diferent printer and i managed to get it to work ok on the k8400. But you have to modify the firmware because you can not use the normal temp settings for load and unload filament because your literaly going to fuckup the print head.

Reason is this when PVA is heated upp to much usualy 190C+ it start undergo something callled pyrolysis wish is litteraly not a good idea (Take my Word for it) :wink: The temps i have used is 160C to 175C the trick is also not to have it in holding time in the printhead longer then 5-10 minutes because of it raises the risk of a tar looking substance to form and you can kiss the nozzel and tube goodbye.

What i did with my k8400 was to base it on my experience from a dif printer and took the printhead appart after every print to see what happenes and replace the tube when needed hense i came upp with the rules above that i use.

I still want to put a warning out thow because if you are not carefull and have surtain rules in place and use it not more then you have to and another thing use cleaning fillament after each print with PVA. Because it do leave stuff in the printhead you do not want to stay there for the future.

// Marlark

8

Is there now a solution by Velleman?

Thanks for answer.