I am relatively new to 3D printing (am using my k8200 for approx 1 month now).
So far I printed with some PLA that I got when I purchased my printer, and have noticed differences between PLA rolls (different make and color).
I was thinking of printing in ABS, but this seems to be very tricky and unhealthy.
However I have read that there are quite some other new filaments available these days.
And am considering to try (color fabb) XT Copolyester as a ABS replacement, and have seen some other nice filaments, like wood filament and ninja flex.
I was wondering if someone has experiences with these or other filaments (printing and usability) and might want to share them, as I can find no real user experiences (other than the manufacturers info).
i tried printing NinjaFlex with the stock extruder, but found it working quite poor.
Therefore i got a new hotend (E3D V6 3mm direct) and reworked the extruder inlay for better filament guidance. thingiverse.com/thing:548827
Now i can print NinjaFlex relatively stable up to 50mm/s print speed, depending on the part.
I haven’t tried Laywood yet, but i’m curious to do that in the future.
Thanks,
I have ordered a sample pack from colorfabb, with the following filaments:
XT (Copolyester)
Glow in the dark
Wood filament (looks like)
Bronze filament (look like it once polished)
When it arrives I hope to have finished optimizing PLA printing, so I can reuse my experience on these new filaments.
Actually I am really looking forward to the XT, as it sounds almost perfect, and hope to replace my PLA with it.
NinjaFlex is also on my whish list, but given your experiences I think that I can better wait until I get an E3D.
For sure, as I am hoping that more people post their findings and experiences with special filaments.
Hmmm, thats news to me… And not very good news as well : (
Here is the printing advice:
Adviced 3d printing temperature: 240-260C (XT filament produced before 7th februari can be printed at 220 - 240C)
Adviced 3d print speed: 40 - 70 mm/s
Advised Heated bed: 60-70C (XT filament produced before 7th februari can be printed on a cold bed)
Build platform:
For our latest release of XT (production date Februari 2014) we advice to print on a heated bed. If you’re using aluminum of glass as the build plate we advice using glue stick to make sure the first layer sticks well and keeps the part from warping. After printing, the build plate needs to cool down to about 20-30 C at which point you can remove the printed part.
And offcourse my XT is produced after Feb 2014…
But what is the exact issue with the hotend and 230C + ?
Does the PTFE lining melt ?
Does the Heater element break down ? (The heater element has already been replaced in my printer btw, and have a few spares on standby)
Does the Thermistor break down ? (Is also not the stock version any more, and have some replacements handy…)
Hope you know the weak spot so I can prepare for the worst ; )…
Maybe I should already print a E3D v6 holder so I can fit it immediately incase of total failure ; ).
Yes, it is the teflon tube that may melt or break due to overheat.
The heater cardridge itself will go for that temp without problems.
I would strongly suggest you a all metal hotend like the e3d for such high temp
Filaments.
Another problem may be that the thermistors have very bad precision at the upper
Range of the temp scale.
Maybe printing an e3d mount before trying it is a good idea.
I’ve been playing aroundwitht colorfabb xt in the e3d v6 which I’ve only had a few days. The e3d is more tolerant of xt, the biggest pain is waiting for the bed to heat up. Just watch your retraction settings aren’t too high, mine were and were causing jams, place was worse than xt for this. I also like the fact xt has less smell.
I haven’t, but I don’t think I have its cooling fan set up right as I can’t print pla with it reliably. Anytime I don’t disable retraction, I get jams with pla. XT works a lot better with the e3d.
How does the XT compare to PLA and ABS as printed objects ?
Are they strong ?
Does it print well ?
Because I am thinking /hoping to make it my default printing material.
[quote=“ichbinsnur”]Yes, it is the teflon tube that may melt or break due to overheat.
The heater cardridge itself will go for that temp without problems.
I would strongly suggest you a all metal hotend like the e3d for such high temp
Filaments.
Another problem may be that the thermistors have very bad precision at the upper
Range of the temp scale.
Maybe printing an e3d mount before trying it is a good idea. ;)[/quote]
I just modded my printer with some additional cooling on the PTFE tube…
I also looked at the PFTE material spec’s and the max operation temp = 260C and the melting temp = 335C.
So I have a good feeling that with my cooling fan the hotend would survive : )
I quite like XT, haven’t tried ABS so can’t compare. Seems strong enough and you can get it in clear. More color options for PLA, so its all going to be down to purpose.
I’m using this one. thingiverse.com/thing:349095
Have it plugged into a separate atx power supply I’m also using to power the heater block. Will be trying a different power supply for the fan as there’s a noticeable drop when the heater block is powered.
