Printing MK3 chassis parts - any downside to using ASA vs PETG?  

RE: Printing MK3 chassis parts - any downside to using ASA vs PETG?

I can't see any downside (short of the usual material related aspects such as stronger odor and a bit more temperamental to use). 

RE:

I believe the only reason to recommend PETG for these parts is that the i3 does not come with an enclosure and ASA is not really easy to print without one. I personally print just about everything in ASA. Just remember please that you will not want to print the extruder housing in anything but black with a solid density, because the filament sensor will otherwise react irritated to any light coming through e.g. orange parts. Ask me how I know...

Regards

Chris

RE: Printing MK3 chassis parts - any downside to using ASA vs PETG?

Considering that 'zero warping' is paramount for MK3 chasis parts, as long as you have this matter under perfect control, ASA will be better because of the superior heat resistance compared to PETg.

RE: Printing MK3 chassis parts - any downside to using ASA vs PETG?

If you are going to reprint all of your chassis parts anyway, consider converting to the BearExxa X-axis and extruder. The belt tension adjustment is easier, and the hot end cooling is superior.  I am running a stock MK3S+ and a scratch build with the Bear extruder side by side, and if they finish at about the same time, the Bear hot end will complete it's cool down to 50C well ahead of the factory 3S+.

The only real down sides I have found, are somewhat worse visibility under the print head due to the print fan being positioned vertically (which is supposed to extend the life of the print fan bearings), and the hot end cooling fan is a little noisier due to being a higher volume fan.  I don't care much about the latter since both printers are in my garage.  You can still use the factory fan but one of the changes in the Bear firmware (as I understand it) is support for other fans besides the Noctua.  If you stick with the Noctua you can switch back to the Prusa firmware after using the Bear firmware for calibration.

RE: Printing MK3 chassis parts - any downside to using ASA vs PETG?

Thanks for all the replies/info!

I do have an exhausted enclosure and have printed a number of items with ASA after dialing in my settings. Wonderful stuff once dialed in. Polymaker ASA in black is what I've used and printing with 260C/110C is optimal for me for success with this stuff.

The Bear xaxis looks like some nice improvements! https://github.com/gregsaun/bear_extruder_and_x_axis

I run a Bondtech extruder so it would just be my axis parts but I can see immediately they address a few opportunities there to bolster the design.

Pondering a mint green ASA for this 'refresh'.  Reminds me of the old machine shop equipment color. 🙂

RE: Printing MK3 chassis parts - any downside to using ASA vs PETG?

The downside is really that ASA can be more difficult to print, but once you have success, it should respond similarly.  It can also warp more.  

Posted by: @jurassic73

I've had my Prusa MK3s for over three years now and pondering a color change for the printed parts(Polymaker Teal ASA).  Curious if there's any reason you'd want to use PETG over ASA to print these parts or if both filaments would be just as consistent in this role?

Thanks in advance.

RE: Printing MK3 chassis parts - any downside to using ASA vs PETG?

I've successfully printed ASA with a draft shield but without an enclosure, albeit relatively small parts.  Mouse ears and skirts can help with warping. I usually leave the parts on the bed untill it has cooled way down, not sure if that helps.

RE: Printing MK3 chassis parts - any downside to using ASA vs PETG?

It is possible witb and without a draft shield. Your odds of success go up with a draft shield and an enclosure, but it is not impossible without. Then again, draft shields can make it more likely to fail with tall objects.

RE: Printing MK3 chassis parts - any downside to using ASA vs PETG?

Some information here on scaling parts (if necessary) that were designed for one material, to be printed in another:

https://github.com/gregsaun/maker_cheatsheet/blob/master/3d_printing/calculators.md#part-scaling

RE: Printing MK3 chassis parts - any downside to using ASA vs PETG?

Posted by: @cwbullet

It is possible witb and without a draft shield. Your odds of success go up with a draft shield and an enclosure, but it is not impossible without. Then again, draft shields can make it more likely to fail with tall objects.

True but there is a draft shield option, Limited, which I suspect will at least alleviate that problem.

RE: Printing MK3 chassis parts - any downside to using ASA vs PETG?

My problem with the draft shield is with taller prints, it tends to collapse into the print.  I may have done something wrong, but I have found that draft shields must be limited to certain projects.

RE: Printing MK3 chassis parts - any downside to using ASA vs PETG?

Sorry I wasn't clear. The limited  draft shield option allows you to set the height of the draft shield.