Nylon

For all you folks asking about Nylon 618 filament... Here is the company's website that makes it.
http://taulman3d.com

Looks Like some good stuff.

 

Also per Taulman if you are going to print with Nylon 618 you should use Garolite on the print board to keep it from warping.
Here is a link to where to get one:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/119/3609/=lkh42z Item number
They recommend the 1/4"... part # 8474K141

Nylon is naturally slick and it doesn't stick well to a normal print board. It will stick to the garolite. You can just clip it on top of the regular print bed with some of those large black paper clip things.

 

My Nylon 816 filament and Garolite board arrived today. Christmas in February???

 

What's the advantage of printing with nylon vs PLA or ABS? Are you intending to print bushings or something?

 

http://hackaday.com/2012/05/22/3d-printing-with-nylon-for-a-more-useful-objects/

Looks like Nylon is a lot more flexible, though its melting point is significantly higher. I wouldn't say it's superior to ABS or PLA, but it certainly appears to be complementary.

 

Nylon can also be used for bearing less designs (self lubricating/wear resistant and for gaskets

Nylon has been used for high temperature applications see:
http://plastics.dupont.com/plastics/pdflit/americas/markets/nylon_under_hood.pdf
http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/86440-plastics-under-the-hood
http://www.assemblymag.com/articles/86434-bioplastic-is-used-to-make-radiators

Info about nylon:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/3d-printing-nylon-extrusion/
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:36330 (nylon linear bearing)
http://www.instructables.com/id/Is-3D-Printing-Safe-or-DIY-Testing-for-HCN-from-/

 

also see

http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?94,166066,166066

quote:
"
What will be the biggest differences in my part from being printed in ABS and then Nylon?

1. Strength. You will be amazed at the strength properties of the *** polyamides.

2. Weight....Nylon is lighter than ABS and PLA.

3. Pliability - A major advantage to *** nylon materials is the pliability that some of us have desired for a long time. From stretch in bands, to elasticity in support components, pliability means that multi-part assemblies are more likely to work as designed with minimal filing, cutting and sanding. Nylon springs can be completely compressed and return to a printed state. Hollow tubes are possible, when needed to guide gasses through complicated assemblies.

4. Slippery Surface - Nylon can eliminate collars, U-joints, washers, separate raceways and ball joints by using the materials slippery properties. Ball bearings that require no lubrication are easily printed. And most important, threaded holes that won't delaminate under pressure.
"

 

NOW I understand why JDM_ wants to print with Nylon:
http://www.continuumfashion.com/N12.html

 

LMAO!

Great links BjG.
It's just a very good material. Won't break or delaminate under stress. Flexible... and makes great bikinis.

 

And don't forget color. That white bikini can be dyed (before or after printing) to any color in, fore example, the RIT fabric dye color catalog. Cheap, easy and helps to reduce fumes from printing added by colorizing materials added to PLA or ABS.
I am also anticipating using this nylon to learn my machine. It is cost comparable and if it becomes my material of choice, it will ease calibration, temp and speed settings.
Dean

 

I also like the fact that is accepts dye. I think this will be more cost effective because you can stock up on the one color of filament (that you have to order). But you can get the dye at most grocery stores or at Walmart.

No more.... I ran out of red filament.... Or I wish I had some green filament.

 

Found some more links:

Drying nylon:
http://www.cometplasticequipment.com/html/pr_nylon.htm

And (related)
Calcium chloride salt (CaCl2) could be used for keeping the filament dry:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Recycle-desiccant-dehumidifiers-Thirsty-hippos/

here in Denmark (and Sweden/Norway/Finland) we can get 2 kg for ~8,84 USD

http://biltema.dk/da/Hjem/Rengoring-og-vask/Udstyr/Fugtfjerner-14060/
http://biltema.dk/da/Hjem/Rengoring-og-vask/Udstyr/Fugtfjerner-36373/

 

I've seen heated feed tubes for printing poly carbonate, i wonder how well that would work with nylon. Or if it's even needed.

 

I hope you guys realize that nylon requires a higher melting temp. It has a higher melting point than PLA and ABS, and extrudes in the range of 235° to 270°C. This is in the range of the softening point of PEEK, a material commonly used as the insulator in hotends, so you need to be careful with temperature management if you use Taulman 618 Nylon.

peek insulator material commonly used in hotends starts to melt around 240.

that's is why an all metal hot end is better suited for this, which i dont believe the robo3d printer has.

just be warned you may damage your hotend, using this material.

 

anything other than pla and abs will be out of the safe range for our printer. dont waste your money on it. Unless you planned to have a different hotend installed.

 

Yeah, they are using the J-head hot end which is PEEK, unfortunately we only got that info in the latest update. This is why I have held off on buying any filament.

 

I should also say, having a fan on the peek area while using nylon is probably a must have to keep the temperature down, I had forgotten that one is included with ours so it might be okay, just might..

 

I know of someone working on a titanium hot end, if it's successful, I may end up getting one of those.