Issues in extruder with PLA+Graphene filament
Hi everybody,
First I have to say I'm a newbie, so please forgive me if I'm not so fond in 3D printer usage.
I succesfully printed many parts both with PLA and incredibly TPE with no problems at all.
Now I'm trying a new PLA filament which is added with Graphene (Grafylon by Filoalfa) that is both thermic and electric conductive; stiffness and toughness are a lot increased than normal PLA.
Managing temperatures I successfully printed a few small parts which are excellent in mechanical performances and aesthetic glossiness, but it happens almost everytime that after a few minutes of perfect printing, the extruder starts clicking and, of course, shit happens 😥 .
The filament stuck inside the PTFE pipe and it's very hard to unload, until I had to disassemble the extruder to remove a piece of material stuck.
The questions are:
1 - Why the filament sensor doesn't notice any problem?
2 - Why this problem happens only with this kind of PLA? Is it a problem due to filament hardness, or its conductivity?
I have to say that I success a few times with no problem at all, just by tightening the extruder screws and increasing extruder temperatures up to 215° C, but it's not always.
Thanks in advance to everyone trying to help me.
Re: Issues in extruder with PLA+Graphene filament
I’m not familiar with that filament. Reading on some graphine online, the .4mm nozzle might clog. I have some pla that will do the same thing as what you are seeing if I print below 225c. You might raise the temp and give it a try.
Re: Issues in extruder with PLA+Graphene filament
First off. I think your filament has a problem.
FILOALFA GRAFYLON® 3d is a filament for 3d printing addicted with Graphene Plus
Your filament has an addiction problem. I highly advise you to get that sorted out. Anything with addiction problems will yield sub-part results.
On a more serious level.
The filament sensor does not detect jams yet. Only if filament is present. (that I know of)
I would not worry about that filament as long as you keep it below 230c. I print a 170-210 PLA @ 230 first layer and 225, all others.
I can literally see 80 things being effected by this filament.
1. Purity of PLA
2. Other additives
3. Other additives
4. Colorants.
5. Other additives
Seriously, no two spools of filament are identical. They can get *VERY* close, but not identical.
A spool of Zyltech filament has major moisture issues after just a month, while a spool of Prusa Silver, prints almost as good as new after 3 months.
The extrusion consistency of E-Sun PLA Pro, is fantastic, and I've really not found anything better regarding the "smoothness" of it's extrusion.
Fox Smart, is garbage, extrudes terribly, and is so brittle you would think it was made out of eggshells.
Essentium PLA is SUPER hard/strong. It does NOT feels like plastic, it almost feels like a metal it's so hard... and it's almost as strong.
My point is. That's all PLA.
Hi, I'm Sean. I used to work on CNC machines.
I try to not make mistakes, but the decision is YOURS.
Please feel free to donate to my filament/maintance fund.
Re: Issues in extruder with PLA+Graphene filament
Thanks a lot Sean for your exhaustive reply and yes, the Grafylon filament producer is Italian and obviously the translation is awful.
Fortunately my only addiction is beer and is not a problem with my Prusa i3 MK3.
I know there are many things affecting PLA, and even the spool is the same, I think moisture can be one of the worst.
I will try again increasing temperature up to 225°C to close all the tests with this filament
Thanks again
Re: Issues in extruder with PLA+Graphene filament
Essentium PLA is SUPER hard/strong. It does NOT feels like plastic, it almost feels like a metal it's so hard... and it's almost as strong.
Sean ... could you tell us ... is that Essentium Engineering Grade PLA or their PLA XTR product that you're commenting on?
-- Clint Goss
Re: Issues in extruder with PLA+Graphene filament
Essentium PLA is SUPER hard/strong. It does NOT feels like plastic, it almost feels like a metal it's so hard... and it's almost as strong.
Sean ... could you tell us ... is that Essentium Engineering Grade PLA or their PLA XTR product that you're commenting on?
I get the big 2kg spools off amazon.
It's Engineering Grade.
It is hard to print with, and not the best filamaent I own regarding it's print quality. (honestly it's borderline terrible given it's price for print quality) but their TDS is missing,
Another that I want to try is 3D870. Apparnetly there's only 2-3 companies in North America that sell it, and they want 30$+/kg. You can get it from europe for about 35$ (delivered) as well. (amusingly, the plastic is made in the USA... why all filaments in the USA cost European price + Shipping is so annoying) There' also about 10 companies in Europe that use it.
I've read the 3D870 is the best PLA filament on the market right now for strength+temp. The only exception I think might be Maker Geeks Raptor PLA. (Which I'm not willing to pay for)
Hi, I'm Sean. I used to work on CNC machines.
I try to not make mistakes, but the decision is YOURS.
Please feel free to donate to my filament/maintance fund.