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eldordor
(@eldordor)
Active Member
3 mm PP filament

Hi

I have a 3 mm polypropylene filament which I want to use in my Prusa I3 MK3S. I saw that I can replace the extruder to the Titan Aero extruder (which can handle 3 mm filament). Is there another way to to it without replacing the extruder? I mean some modification that I can do the original Pruse extruder.

Thanks

 

Posted : 19/08/2019 6:49 am
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(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: 3 mm PP filament

Simple answer: no.

The extruder is designed around 1.75mm - Bondtech gears, motor drive, filament sensors, etc.

Firmware is written for 1.75 mm, and would need modification for 3.0 mm.

Slicer expect 1.75 mm filament.  But is probably the easiest hurdle.

 

Posted : 19/08/2019 8:22 am
eldordor liked
eldordor
(@eldordor)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: 3 mm PP filament
Posted by: Tim

Simple answer: no.

The extruder is designed around 1.75mm - Bondtech gears, motor drive, filament sensors, etc.

Firmware is written for 1.75 mm, and would need modification for 3.0 mm.

Slicer expect 1.75 mm filament.  But is probably the easiest hurdle.

 

Thanks Tim

So, do you recommend to replace to the Titan extruder and make all the relevant changes (firmware, slicer, etc)?

Posted : 19/08/2019 8:31 am
timo.m
(@timo-m)
Estimable Member
RE: 3 mm PP filament

While3 you can certainly modify the printer to use 3mm filament (it will not only be the extruder that has to be changed/modified,but also the hotend and firmware at the least), the changes will cost you more than a new spool of 1,75mm PP filament. So unless you have tons of that filament I would recommend sticking to the printer as it is, buying the proper 1,75mm filament and selling the 3mm filament that you have on ebay.

Posted : 19/08/2019 11:36 am
timo.m
(@timo-m)
Estimable Member
RE: 3 mm PP filament
Posted by: eldord
Posted by: Tim

Simple answer: no.

The extruder is designed around 1.75mm - Bondtech gears, motor drive, filament sensors, etc.

Firmware is written for 1.75 mm, and would need modification for 3.0 mm.

Slicer expect 1.75 mm filament.  But is probably the easiest hurdle.

 

Thanks Tim

So, do you recommend to replace to the Titan extruder and make all the relevant changes (firmware, slicer, etc)?

Also, I don't want to be unnecessarily rude, but from the kind of questions you aks you seem not to have a particularly good understanding of what you are planning to do which is why I would recommend not doing anything.

Posted : 19/08/2019 11:40 am
eldordor
(@eldordor)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: 3 mm PP filament

I understand. 
The bottom line is that I have to use my 3 mm PP filament that I have. It is a unique material that compatible with other material that I use for my project. It is also going to help me because I need to print fast (the precision is not important). And that is why I am planning to change the nozzle (as well as the extruder) to a wider one (1 or even 2 mm diameter). If you recommend not to do all this mess with changing everything, is there any other option that you know of?

Thanks a lot

Posted : 19/08/2019 12:10 pm
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
RE: 3 mm PP filament

I recommend you sell the 3mm filament and buy 1.75mm.  

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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 19/08/2019 12:24 pm
eldordor
(@eldordor)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: 3 mm PP filament

Thanks Charles, but as I told you I have to use this 3 mm filament.

I'm sure that someone here tried to print with 3 mm filament and a large diameter nozzle.

I would appreciate any help.

Thank you all

Posted : 19/08/2019 12:29 pm
Dave Avery
(@dave-avery)
Honorable Member
RE: 3 mm PP filament

easiest answer is go and buy one of the few 3mm printers avaiilable or build a custom printer. by the time you build a new extruder and hotend you will be getting close the the cost of a new printer

Posted : 19/08/2019 3:29 pm
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(@)
Illustrious Member
RE: 3 mm PP filament
Posted by: david.a66

easiest answer is go and buy one of the few 3mm printers avaiilable or build a custom printer. by the time you build a new extruder and hotend you will be getting close the the cost of a new printer

And I agree with David on this 100%.  Plus, with the type of part you want to print, that 12x4x4 block, A Mk3 is a waste of time and effort and it will cost you more than a cheap 3mm capable printer. Add the time it will take to modify and calibrate the Prusa for 3MM nylon and youmay be months behind. 

No one here can help you either because few to of us have made those modifications. If you decide to move forward, this is a "You're on your own!" project.

As for your filament being unique?  Unless it was custom filament for some mil-spec project, it will be available in 1.75.

Posted : 19/08/2019 9:41 pm
RetireeJay
(@retireejay)
Reputable Member
RE: 3 mm PP filament

My first printer was a Printrbot which used 3mm filament. 

The HUGE difference in Extruder design between 1.75 and 3mm is that the 3mm requires more force (it has about three times the cross-sectional area to push against as it enters the melt zone), so Extruders designed for 3mm filament use step-down gears between the motor and the driving "hobbed bolt" (toothed shaft).  The gear ratio decreases the revolutions while gaining torque.  The majority of 1.75mm Extruders use "direct drive" where the motor drives the toothed shaft directly with no gears in between.

The whole 3D printer industry started moving away from 3mm and toward 1.75mm sometime in 2013 - 2015.

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Posted : 19/08/2019 10:01 pm
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