Preparing for Exotics  

RE: Preparing for Exotics

Posted by: @sink

Getting an Mk3S ready for some exotics.

Changed nozzle from brass to Nozzle X (.4 mm) .. all the way back to wizard for system check, using PLA for now, .. first layer done and looks excellent, now running a 3x3 first layer and it is looking good. maybe another round of first layer .. will be finished shortly ..

Want to run carbon fiber, woodfill, bronzefill to start with and llooking for some input on gotchas, general advice on temps, etc ..

Someone suggested running 10 degrees or so hotter than normal with the Nozzle X for intsance..

Thanks in advance ..

Before moving to exotics, I would get good at printing standard filaments.  I started with PLA then moved to PETG, ABS, and ASA.  PC and PC blend can be challenging as can the more exotic filaments. 

RE: Preparing for Exotics

@cwbullet

Hi,, use PLA and PETG right now, 7 or 8 years experience with both, half a dozen differnet machine types, currently Prusas only, can't use ASA or ABS.. no enclosures and not interested in building or buying one and workshop not equipped for handling the gases.. PC might be of interest at some time but, for now, am looking at beginning to use WOOD, CORK, and BRONZE for cosmetic purposes and Carbon, maybe,  for a special project, tried carbon years ago on an older machine and it made mince-meat out of the hotend and the extruder gears.. haven't touched it since.. Am looking for any special insights by users of those types of filaments

RE: Preparing for Exotics

0.4 is small for woodfill, 0.6 is generally reckoned to be the minimum. 

To get the full benefit of carbon fibre fill you need to design so the most strength critical parts are aligned so the force crosses the lay of (some of) the filament at a right angle.  Layer adhesion is still the only thing holding the part together in the Z direction.

Have fun,

Cheerio,

RE: Preparing for Exotics

@sink

Those filaments are relatively easy to print.  I have found that I have to increase the nozzle size.  

RE: Preparing for Exotics

Thanks for the input .. will  order a bigger nozzle then .. 

With the Fill-type filaments, how do the bondtech gears hold up .. anything special to do there.. 

I have a couple of spare hotends on hand so no worries there but will the carbon fiber tear the bondtechs up as well?

Anyone have some longer term experience there?

Regards

RE: Preparing for Exotics

@diem

I have .05 and .08 in both stainless and bronze on hand.. will look at ordering some .06s, but .08 stainless may be worth a try? 

Understand they would not last long.. 

Did you use carbon on the Prusa? How did the bondtechs weather it?

Thanks

RE: Preparing for Exotics

@sink

Be prepared to tweak the temperature with stainless - not always needed but it doesn't conduct heat so well.

I haven't noticed any problems with the bondtech - but I don't print a great deal of CF - too expensive for very little gain when redesigning for thicker components is usually possible.

Cheerio,

RE: Preparing for Exotics

@sink

I print carbon PETG, ABS or PLA several times a month.  I used it for rocket componients that need extra strength.  I use a Nylon X or standard bronze nozzle.  I have also used a ruby.  I the nylon X or Ruby will last longer.  I have not noticed any difference in quality.