Apollo X ASA filament - any experience?
I'm wondering if any of you have used Apollo X filament.
https://www.x3d.com.au/store/product/59899-appolo-x-high-strength
It does not mention PEI as a suitable build surface, so I'm particularly interested in how well it sticks to the PEI sheet.
And, how about the no warping claims?
Thanks in advance, Mik
Re: Apollo X ASA filament - any experience?
I bought a sample of black ApolloX , but so far I have only run a few tests.
Results:
Apollo X sticks very firmly to the Prusa I3 MK2 PEI sheet, too well I think. I'm concerned that the PEI sheet will not last long.
I need to find ways to reduce adhesion to the PEI sheet.
How about reducing the print bed temperature drastically from the recommended 80-90C?
Re: Apollo X ASA filament - any experience?
I bought a sample of black ApolloX , but so far I have only run a few tests.
Results:
Apollo X sticks very firmly to the Prusa I3 MK2 PEI sheet, too well I think. I'm concerned that the PEI sheet will not last long.
I need to find ways to reduce adhesion to the PEI sheet.
How about reducing the print bed temperature drastically from the recommended 80-90C?
Clean the bed with Windex (blue window cleaner). It leave a residue that will reduce adhesion. I use that to prevent PETG from welding itself to the bed with good results. If that is not enough separation, the glue stick is the next line of defense.
Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage or loss. If you solve your problem, please post the solution…
Re: Apollo X ASA filament - any experience?
Clean the bed with Windex (blue window cleaner). It leave a residue that will reduce adhesion. I use that to prevent PETG from welding itself to the bed with good results. If that is not enough separation, the glue stick is the next line of defense.
Thanks, aaron.sS !
I'll keep that in mind if I start to print with ApolloX regularly. I so enjoy the "no cleaning needed" of my PLA only use at the moment, I find it hard to consider going back to all that hassle.
If it turns out to be true that ApolloX does not warp and is at the same time very strong and can be heated to 98C before damage occurs, then it might be worth the high cost and the hassle.
I'll do some experimenting with first layer PLA followed by ApolloX. I print PLA with 80C first layer and 70C rest of print, so it's warm in the enclosure .
Re: Apollo X ASA filament - any experience?
Apollo X does not seem suitable for printing large objects prone to warping.
I managed to find a heat bed setting that allows removal of the ApolloX from the PEI sheet:
Start with bed temp 30C, increase to 90C from 2nd layer.
I finally decided to try printing a fin using ApolloX.
The fin tore itself apart due to warping, like I have seen happen before with Polymaker PC Max and straight PC. Not warping as bad as PC or Polymaker PC Plus, but obviously too much.
Print settings:
0.3mm layer height
Infill 10% cubic.
External perimeter speed reduced from 30 to 20mm/s
Other extrusion widths and speeds left unchanged from PRUSA settings.
External perimeters 4.
All of the 'Quality (slower slicing) options selected.
'NOT External perimeters first; position 'Nearest'.
Brim 1.2mm.
Filament settings:
Bed temp low at start to reduce adhesion to PEI sheet: 30C first layer, then to 90C to reduce warping.
First layer nozzle temp 235C, then 255C for rest of print
Max fan speed 25%, min speed 0%, bridges 100%;
EM 1.1 after measuring extrusion as 91mm when 100mm dialled up.
Removal of the main part of the fin was not too hard, but the brim remained stuck to the PEI sheet in a few places and required a fair bit of scratching with a spatula to get it off again. The PEI sheet survived, but I don't think I'd want to subject it to this all the time.
ApolloX is also mechanically weaker than the transparent PLA that I use most of the time.