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Recommend filament for replacement and upgraded parts

Discussion in 'Printing Filament' started by Quest, Jan 23, 2016.

  1. Quest

    Quest Member

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    Hi,
    I was wondering if there is a recommend filament to use for printing upgraded or replacement parts for the Robo.
    Their are a lot of new filaments that have come out so is PLA still the best?
    I've been using ABS on smaller parts, but I be leave the warpage would be to much on a larger or longer length part.
    If I had PLA on hand I would just use it, But I will have to order what ever I decide to use as all I have on hand is ABS.

    Thanks
     
    #1 Quest, Jan 23, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2016
  2. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    What is the downfall to PLA on the Robo parts?
    Unless it was something that was exposed to a lot of heat...
     
  3. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
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    Although there may be nothing wrong with PLA, I have printed all my parts out of either PETG or Polycarbonate depending on the application. PETG is not anywhere near as brittle as PLA, and almost as easy to work with with a higher Tg temp than PLA (although not as high as ABS which in turn is not as high as polycarbonate)
     
  4. Quest

    Quest Member

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    Nothing that I know of, but with more filament choices I was just wondering if their were better options.
     
  5. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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    Better alternatives that don't warp (there are many--just ignore the ABS one):

    FilamentTypes.jpg
     
  6. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
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    Since that graphic is Taulman centric, it has t-glase (PET-T) and no graph for PET-G.
     
    #6 WheresWaldo, Jan 23, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2016
  7. Quest

    Quest Member

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    So as far as cost go's PLA has it with PET-G next from the quick pricing search I did.
    If I had PLA on hand I would just use it, But I will have to order what ever I decide to use as all I have on hand is ABS.
     
  8. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
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  9. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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    ABS is great if you can print it. PETg is a bit stronger and more suited IMO.

    PLA is too brittle for me to be comfortable using it as printer parts, but it'll definitely work
     
  10. Quest

    Quest Member

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    I ordered some petg last night.
    It will be the 1st time for using it. Any pointers for it?
     
  11. Mike Kelly

    Mike Kelly Volunteer

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    Print hotter than you might think you need, and do a high infill (30%+). I wasn't able to get it to not pillow at lowish infills

    Also make sure your extruder is very well calibrated for it, as it will bunch up on the nozzle, char, and then drop on the print leaving unsightly marks.
     
  12. Quest

    Quest Member

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    Thanks for the pointers Mike.
    I have calibrated the extruder in the past, but no harm in doing it again to check it.
     
  13. Robert J.

    Robert J. Member

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    When i get a new filamet i always print a calibration tower with the low temperature on the bottom and add 5 degrees every 50 layers. no fill 1 shell no top no bottom, I Mark it at every temperature change. I found this is the best way to see how well the filament will look and work. At the right temperature.
     
    mark tomlinson and WheresWaldo like this.
  14. Billm

    Billm Member

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    what calibration tower do you use?
     
  15. Robert J.

    Robert J. Member

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    This is the one i use.
     

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  16. KTMDirtFace

    KTMDirtFace Well-Known Member

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    Hmm both of my printers get this bunch up blobs on the nozzle with PETG. I figured that was just how it was, I print with PETG a lot and it is great..but i do get the annoying boogers off the nozzle. What do you mean calibrate the extruder? Something other than playing with heat, and retraction settings? ( I have done that and still happens )

    The boogers build up the most during infill passes for me. if I do 100% infil i don't get it as much.
     
  17. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
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    @KTMDirtFace Calibration like extrusion multiplier, reduce it by 0.01.
     
  18. KTMDirtFace

    KTMDirtFace Well-Known Member

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    Ah ok thanks. I figured it was just inherant Oooze.. ColorfabXT does the same thing.( actually its worse )
     
  19. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
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    Also retraction settings, but E3D only recommends no more than 3 mm.
     
  20. KTMDirtFace

    KTMDirtFace Well-Known Member

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    Thanks waldo!, my robo3d is in parts right now while I wait for those bearings..so I'm using my replicator 2.. which I mangled the stock cooling fan shroud. I was just printing a new shroud for it in yellow esun PETG. and was getting lots of boogers on the nozzle.

    Who woulda thought 0.01 extrusion would make a difference, its still got some balling up on the nozzle but its definiitly bettery thank you! might try it again with another 0.01 down..

    Extruision multiplier is one setting I have never messed with. really. I think it defaults to 0.9 for everything in simplify3d. Thanks!
     

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