Disolvable filament
Hi all,
Regarding the i3 MK2S, what's the best setup to be able to print with a dissolvable filament? I have large models that would be too expensive to use the structural filament as the support as well, also they have cavities that are hard to reach to extract the support material. Can the MK2S print with two filaments? Does it have a dual print head setup?
Thanks
Fair farren
Re: Disolvable filament
If you want to print with 2 materials, you need to (pre-)order the multi-material upgrade for the MK2(S) available in a 2 or 4 materials flavor. Trying to swap the filament manually with the "default" single material setup is not feasible for anything that requires filament changes within a layer.
Unfortunately its release has been pushed back numerous times, so don't hold your breath waiting for it. I guess it'll will arrive eventually.
What remains to be seen is how well printing PLA with PVA (water soluble) is actually going to work using the multi material upgrade. From my own experience on another printer, it can a bit tricky..
With respect to the cost factor, you might be surprised how expensive PVA actually is. Infact, if you want keep your thumb on costs, you'd try to use as little PVA as possible and design your supports in such a way that the bulk of the support structure will still be printed in PLA instead of PVA and only use PVA as separation layers.
ABS and HIPS as soluble support should be less expensive, but HIPS needs D-Limonene to disolve, which adds another set of problems and costs..
The convenience of soluble support material comes at a hefty price.
Re: Disolvable filament
Having worked a little with PVA, I can say it's expensive and doesn't even dissolve all that well.
I'm not sure the upcoming multi material upgrade will even work well with it, given the fact it needs lower temperatures than PLA and could actually harden at PLA temperatures potentially clogging the nozzle.
Re: Disolvable filament
I'm not sure the upcoming multi material upgrade will even work well with it [PVA]
Yes, it does work - sometimes. But that was with the early Beta MM upgrade. I have eSun PVA which has a temp range of 190 to 220 (so similar to PLA), but even at 200 degrees it was very stringy which could cause occasional blockages (and failed prints). Apparently "Scaffold" works better than PVA (I haven't tried that as yet).
However the biggest issue I had with eSun PVA was the varying diameter which would not feed properly when using the early upgrade.
And yes, it is at least twice the price of regular PLA, so it should only be used for interface layers.
Peter
Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…