Flexible filaments (really flexible...)
I tried TPU and PLA and was very pleased at the result on the first test. The trouble is that TPU is generally not very "tacky" or rubbery. I was hoping to print with something that had more grip to it. The TPU was flexible, sure, but nearly as slick on a table as the PLA.
Our previous 3D printing guy left some Ultra Flex here and I wanted to try it, but I don't know how to feed it through the sensors. In an MK3S it would be no problem. I'm sure it would print with the speeds slowed way down, but I don't know how to even get it to the extruder!
I half thought about bypassing the bowden tubes and feeding in directly, rigging up a spool holder that would allow the filament to reliably stay out of the way. Or, maybe bypassing the side sensor and just feeding through the bowden tube to the extruder, where I can load in with the tube disconnected and replace the tube once the filament is in there.
In the end I thought it might be best to just ask if anyone has any suggestions. There is no real hurry, so I can wait a bit for advice before I try something that might reveal itself to be a Dumb Idea after the fact, LOL.
RE: Flexible filaments (really flexible...)
After reading my post, I realized that it might not be clear that I am trying to print an Ultra Flexible filament together with PLA (or PETG or Whatever) at the same time. My test with TPU and PLA for a Coaster with a log went very well.
In any case, the root of my problem is that the Ultra Flexible filament is difficult to feed to the extruder.
RE: Flexible filaments (really flexible...)
The answer is basically to setup a system with the least amount of restrictions onto the tpu which usually means mounting the spool above the printer somehow and then feeding it downwards and directly to the extruder. Side filament sensors can be turned off through the printer menus. You may also need to mount the spool differently on bearings if the spool weight is too much for the stretchy filament to pull from.
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