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New R1+ user.. eager to print TPU

Discussion in 'General Questions' started by combustion8, Apr 13, 2017.

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  1. combustion8

    combustion8 New Member

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    So I got my printer last night and I love it so far, prints right out of the box (using PLA).

    I want to print TPU (for racing quad accessories) but I haven't been able to find any tutorials. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Is this printer even able to print TPU with stock extractor/hotend? Even a mini step tutorial for how you print TPU would help a ton.

    Thanks!!
     
  2. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
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    Search for posts about NinjaFlex, which is TPU, There are a bunch of posts all over the board here and the internet on how to print with flexible material.
     
  3. combustion8

    combustion8 New Member

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    Thanks, most posts I see are people that have modded their printer, is it possible to print TPU on the R+ out of the box?
     
  4. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Not easily.
    The GregsWade extruder is the limitation.
     
  5. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Besides, all you are adding is a couple of inches of PTFE tube... not exactly a major mod
     
  6. combustion8

    combustion8 New Member

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    Thanks for the info, what size PTFE is preferred?

    Nevermind I found it, 2mm/4mm

    Is it worth the effort to upgrade the extruder?
     
    #6 combustion8, Apr 13, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2017
  7. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    When you have a problem with the extruder, sure.
    You do not need to for just this.
    You may have to drill out the extruder platform hole that feeds from the hobb to the cold-end of the extruder slightly.
    In the original R1 it was 4mm so no issues, but in later models at some point they shrunk that hole slighty.

    If the PTFE tube does not fit, drop the extruder and use a 4mm drill bit to expand that hole to 4mm.

    To be clear this is the hole in the extruder base under the hobbed bolt where the filament feeds into the cold section of the hotend.
     
  8. BrooklynBay

    BrooklynBay Active Member

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    I've added TPFE tubing in mine but I've had issues several times with it getting out of shape, and causing the filament to bind. I did a search, and came across something called Capricorn tubing. They come in two different heat ranges. This area doesn't get so hot, but the price was the same for both so I bought the higher temperature tubing. It seems like it has less resistance, and lasts longer but cost a lot more. You only need a short piece of tubing so it's worth it.
     
  9. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
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    This thread is being locked, it is a year old.
     
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