Filament Question  

Re: Filament Question

I am still waiting for my MK2 kit to get to me on Friday, but I do have another printer that I have done a lot of prints with.
I have had great success using the High Temp PLA from Proto-Pasta and also from MakerGeeks. I live near Atlanta,GA USA and during this summer we have seen temps in the mid to high 90's F, which means easily 115F or more in a car. I have made 3 different iphone holders to use in our cars with this type of filament and have had no issues at all. Not sure if that will still definitely meet your needs, but definitely worth your time investigating more.
The obvious advantage of the HTPLA over ABS is not having to run as hot, no warping issues, and no nasty fumes.

Re: Filament Question

Remember that there are other issues besides temperature:

Temperature - Needs to withstand 90°C - 105°C in the average espresso machine
Water absorption - Must not use hydroscopic plastics
Food safety - Some plastics are toxic, others can degrade releasing particulates. All 3D prints have microscopic groves where bacteria can breed.
Strength - Make sure it is something that will not snap, bend or deform under use at both low and high temperatures

Have a look through these guides:

https://www.matterhackers.com/3d-printer-filament-compare
https://www.allthat3d.com/3d-printer-filament/
http://nicklievendag.com/filament-guide/
https://all3dp.com/best-3d-printer-filament-types-pla-abs-pet-exotic-wood-metal/

Re: Filament Question

Thanks for the reply 3d. I have looked through the guides - some of which you listed - and I am still not sure what to get. I have the original, failed part and it looks like ABS injection molded. I'm not worried about food safety per se as the part does not come into contact at all with food but I would surely not want to use something toxic.

I have ABS so I guess I start there. If I have to purchase a more exotic filament I will need to do more research.

Re: Filament Question

I agree, As others have said you really need to look at some food safe filaments. ABS would work well but not really suited for anything that water or food may come into contact with that humans might consume. I think PLA would still be ok.
Steam will not be 100+C would it? I would have seen it as the steam would have cooled more and although an expresso machine it would not be a long time at high temp either. 30-60 seconds max?

Re: Filament Question

PLA will not work. I printed two copies and my friend tried them out. They fit great! It even worked to open the valve, then the PLA softened and he had to close the valve with a screwdriver. So yes, I will need something with better heat resistance than PLA.

Assume that the part needs to withstand 100C.

Re: Filament Question

Good to know thanks. I will certainly stand clear of any PLA for heat or steam 😉

Re: Filament Question

Yep, I fully understand that standard PLA will certainly not work, hence the reason I specifically mentioned HTPLA.
A quote directly from Proto-Pasta website on their HTPLA "This durable PLA has a theoretical Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) of more than 140C (285F) after heat treating though in our experience 120C or more was practically attained. ".
Here is a quote from MakerGeeks as well on their HTPLA "New High Temperature PLA Resin - no deformation up to 125c (250f)"
The stuff from MakerGeeks is also FDA approved and dishwasher safe.
As I said, I have real world experience using this stuff and it has survived fine for months in the conditions I mentioned earlier.
Just saying, HTPLA is an option so don't think that ABS is your only option.

Re: Filament Question

Bryan.r Thank you for that info! I must have missed what you said! I was actually replying to ben's post on PLA. The HTPLA looks like an option. I will order some and give it a shot. If it works for the application it would be better than ABS for this application for all the reasons you list.

Re: Filament Question

You're welcome eric.w!
The HTPLA does cost a little more than standard PLA, or ABS, but I think that the benefits outweigh the extra cost. At least for me so far it does, since the parts I have made so far have essentially the same ability as ABS to withstand high ambient temp and has great strength characteristics.

Re: Filament Question

Yeah looks great! Im going to order a spool of that and some PETG while I'm at it!

Re: Filament Question

I'll link Taulman's own filament guide. Take a look at the comments and graph as well.

That said, I recreated a part for an engine that sits on the motor using ColorFabb HT filament. He hasn't told me that it has failed yet. This stuff prints like ABS, but doesn't have the nasty odors.

You may want to consider Polymaker's PC-Plus or PC-Max Polycarbonate blends. These are designed for high heat and high stress environments. PC-Max has a glass transition temp of 113 degrees C and PC-Plus has a glass transition temp of 112 degrees C.

Re: Filament Question

Anyone has ever used Proto Pasta carbon filled PLA on i3 MK2? If yes, any recommended settings?

Thanks!

Re: Filament Question

Anyone has ever used Proto Pasta carbon filled PLA on i3 MK2? If yes, any recommended settings?

Thanks!

I have bought it, but I haven't actually cracked it open. You should check out Thomas Sanladerer's Filaween spreadsheet and Youtube videos . He's been testing a bunch of filaments on the MK2.

Re: Filament Question

I used it on my MK1. Basically the same print settings as PLA.

I would suggest a hardened or plated nozzle. The first print I did was about 45m of filament using the standard brass nozzle and it chewed it up pretty good.

Re: Filament Question

Anyone has ever used Proto Pasta carbon filled PLA on i3 MK2? If yes, any recommended settings?

Thanks!

I have bought it, but I haven't actually cracked it open. You should check out Thomas Sanladerer's Filaween spreadsheet and Youtube videos . He's been testing a bunch of filaments on the MK2.

Cool. Will check it on youtube!

I used it on my MK1. Basically the same print settings as PLA.

I would suggest a hardened or plated nozzle. The first print I did was about 45m of filament using the standard brass nozzle and it chewed it up pretty good.

Great. Yes, I got a stainless steel 0.25mm nozzle, not sure if it will print it correctly though considering its a 0.25mm. But I will give it a try anyways 🙂

Re: Filament Question

I got a stainless steel 0.25mm nozzle

Not sure I would go that small with any of the plastics containing additives. I have had blockage issues with some and a 0.4mm nozzle and had to print with a 0.5mm.

Peter

Re: Filament Question

Peter

Thanks for mentioning that. .4 is quite hit and miss regarding clogging on the CF filament. I have had some prints that were just fine but others that would clog after a short time. If you do have a .5 nozzle it would be better.

Re: Filament Question

So I was able to print a propeller with carbon fiber filament from Proto Pasta with a 0.25mm stainless steel nozzle (e3d original).

I had to crank up the nozzle temperature to 233 celcius, and lower the printing speed. I can share my settings tomorrow if anyone interested, as I saved it on my PC that I left at my office.

It took the printer 3 hours and 28 minutes, so it was not too bad. I printed the same thing with normal PLA using Ultimaker 2+ and it took me 3 hours. I was very impressed by the detail that MK2 can achieve though ! 🙂

Re: Filament Question

Temperature - Needs to withstand 90°C - 105°C in the average espresso machine
Water absorption - Must not use hydroscopic plastics
Food safety - Some plastics are toxic, others can degrade releasing particulates. All 3D prints have microscopic groves where bacteria can breed.
Strength - Make sure it is something that will not snap, bend or deform under use at both low and high temperatures

Have a look through these guides:

3D Printer Filament Types
ABS vs PLA Filament