CoreONE and TPU - How to
Hello everyone,
I searched about the CoreONE and TPU and it is hard to find a how-to for this type of filament.
What would be the necessary steps to print TPU on the CoreONE?
- nozzle type? and size?
-steel plate type?
- what profile to use?
- Any custom modification to the printer?
- Type of TPU filament (example 95A, 85, 60... ?)
Thank you !!!
RE:
I think all of Prusa's general guidance on printing TPU applies:
https://blog.prusa3d.com/how-to-print-with-flexible-filament_29672/
There is also a Core One-specific thread right in this forum section:
https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/postid/738556/
RE: CoreONE and TPU - How to
Hello everyone,
I searched about the CoreONE and TPU and it is hard to find a how-to for this type of filament.
What would be the necessary steps to print TPU on the CoreONE?
- nozzle type? and size?
-steel plate type?
- what profile to use?
- Any custom modification to the printer?
- Type of TPU filament (example 95A, 85, 60... ?)
Thank you !!!
- The bigger the nozzle is the better, but 0.4 should do for 85A+ TPU (no matter what type of nozzle)
- Textured plate is the best way to go IMO
- You can start with any TPU profile like Ninjaflex one
- No modification needed, but bypassing the PTFE tube (and so the right filament sensor) is the best way to print TPU
- I managed to print any TPU harder than 83A (Ninjaflex). I didn't manage to print softer
Yürgen gave you nice links to help! 🙂
RE: CoreONE and TPU - How to
Thank you Scott and Yürgen!
Trying to bypass the PTFE tube on a CoreONE is a pain... I guess the printer is not ready (out of the box) for TPU...
Messing around with the PrusaSlicer, I found the TPU profiles but they all have an * on the side, and looking at the * description is says not compatible with your printer.
Others on forums are saying that you need a different nozzle other than the stock one that ships with CoreONE... Maybe I will try on my MK4S first, (easy to clean any mess) the CoreONE is a box that if you have to service any big issues with the nozzle, you have to figure out a way to pull out the top part.
RE: CoreONE and TPU - How to
Just something to add here, i tried a normal 40D TPU and it prints fine. No issues. But when i tried Varioshore tpu from colorfabb, oh man. after a couple of layers, i got into trouble. This tpu was printing fine with my mini+ for years, but with core one it keeps having issues. It buckles and goes into a gab between the motor and the hear housing.
So i'll be printing a modified part from printables in PC and hope it makes it easier.
RE: CoreONE and TPU - How to
I haven't printed TPU on my Core One yet, but I have on the MK4S, which has the same print head.
The only thing I have to adjust is the pressure of the exdruder.
I always turn both screws 1.5 turns counterclockwise.
Then I have no problems at all, even with a PTFE tube.
I see no reason why it shouldn't work the same way with the Core One.
RE: CoreONE and TPU - How to
"normal" 40D tpu prints fine, i had no issues. But Colorfabb's varioshore is kinda special i guess 😀 I just going boing and pushes itself into the empty space between the motor and the first plastic piece.
I haven't printed TPU on my Core One yet, but I have on the MK4S, which has the same print head.
The only thing I have to adjust is the pressure of the exdruder.
I always turn both screws 1.5 turns counterclockwise.Then I have no problems at all, even with a PTFE tube.
I see no reason why it shouldn't work the same way with the Core One.
RE: CoreONE and TPU - How to
This is also the problem I have when I don't loosen the idler screws
RE: CoreONE and TPU - How to
Finally got TPU (NinjaFlex 85A) to print. It took removing the tube to the extruder; hanging the spool about 1 meter above the printer; trying 3 times to load the filament. Once the filament was loaded it all went well. I use a small strip of thin masking tape where the nozzle cleaning takes place, it keeps the plate cleaner. I did not change the extruder tension. The tension on the filament seemed high but it worked. I will make a better spool holder with less friction for next time.
The print was stuck to the smooth plate really well, swabbing some alcohol and flexing the print repeatedly got it to come loose. Once it was done I loaded PLA and did a few purges to clear out the TPU.
RE: CoreONE and TPU - How to
Very helpful posts.
I am printing NinjaTek Cheetah TPU. Yes loading the filament is tedious as you must remove the top of the Core One to get easy access to the top of the extruder, then slide back the black 3D printed guide that allows the filament to make a 90n degree turn then push down on the quick-connect fitting that secures the PTFE tube to the extruder to remove it. Kinda difficult as you have to press it down symmetrically and this is difficult with such a small diameter fitting and big human fingers. Alas, after a few tries yes it will come out. Then you can manually feed the filament until it engages the sensor and the machine does the rest.
Reassemble and start printing. Used the NinjaTek Cheetah TPU preset that comes with PrusaSlicer so the printer automatically prints about 3 X slower than with PLA.
Did not adjust the tension as mentioned in the video for the XL. Seems to be printing fine, we will see the results in 3 hours or so!
RE: CoreONE and TPU - How to
This is really disappointing IMO. I also had a quite the battle with TPU, Ultrafuse 95A. Just could not get it to load. I ended up giving up on printing TPU on the CoreOne. There's just no way I'm taking stuff apart just to feed it TPU. Thats not why I got the CoreOne.
Instead, good old MK3s has been promoted to chief TPU printer.
RE: CoreONE and TPU - How to
I have been attempting to print some parts in Hatchbox 95A TPU. Here are some things that allowed most of them to come out very nicely.
1. Dry Filament. I print directly from DryBoxes that are at 10%. I used this design: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4976052
2. Sharp angle on the filament tip when loading. The 95A will feed through the PTFE tube and first sensor without issue. Feeding it by very small amounts allows it to make it past the second sensor and get picked up by the feed gear.
3. Used Generic Flex profile and the included CHT nozzle. My Core One was a kit, so there was also some playing around with the idler screws. The instructions are a bit vague on what the "factory" setting is.
4. Unloading is a pain as the TPU will form a blob that doesn't want to come out of the top of the extruder (just before the PTFE tube). It is sometimes possible to open the idler and fish the filament out, cut off the end, then pull it through. Resist the urge to just pull it out. The filament will likely snap and leave that blob in the extruder.
5. Clean the extruder and nozzle after each print. I had a tough time with under extrusion. The first couple of prints might work great, but without the nozzle cleaning, it would eventually start to under extrude. Note that I haven't had a successful cold pull on the Core One. This would probably be the best for cleaning things out.
Hope this helps.
RE: CoreONE and TPU - How to
Thank you to All that have posted here.
It is very interesting and I do need to investiage TPU at some point... although the prospect scares the hell out of me as I currently can't get anything priintted that is even halfway 'usable' from my Core One with PETG!