How you can Print Flexible Filament

If you would like to venture into the globe of flexible, durable, tactile printed components, then you definitely came to the appropriate location. Right here is where you will understand to print flexible filament rapidly and effortlessly print the softest filament on the market. Get far more details about print flexible filament

Applying the Flexion To Print Flexible Filament

This short article focuses on tips on how to print flexible filament using the Flexion Extruder. For those who do not currently make use of the Flexion Extruder, then go get one and come back right here. Appropriate out in the box, Flexion produces quick (60mm/s), clean, void-free prints with TPU, TPE, Ninjaflex, along with other flexible filaments. Angus (aka Makersmuse) even uses it to test flexible filament: Assessment of Flexible Filaments (with X60!). Flexion eliminates the standard problems you encounter any time you print flexible filament: jamming, buckling, and oozing. Study on to locate a handful of tips to optimize your settings and create fantastic prints together with your flexible filament.

Software program Settings

Here’s an example of your extrusion settings we use with a soft TPU including Ninjaflex (about 85 Shore A). These settings are valid for speeds as much as 60mm/s. A number of factors to note:

The extrusion multiplier above 1.0 - when the drive roller and idler squeeze the filament, they properly lower the diameter on the filament. This demands much more extrusion. As you boost tension you could should boost extrusion too.

Extrusion width decrease than the nozzle diameter - this assists generate gap-free upper layers. On the other hand, it may also make overhangs difficult. You are going to must balance these factors to optimize your own personal prints.

Retract higher and rapid - this keeps the nozzle from oozing and tends to make clean prints. Longer drive paths (Bowden drive, E3D hotend, Mk11 extruder), may call for even longer retractions.

We propose that you increase outline overlap above 75% to make sure a fantastic connection involving outlines and infill. Other settings will be similar to what you use for other supplies.

Hardware Settings

Initial, adjust tension. Hold the filament among your fingers and load filament., then turn the adjust screw to maximize the pull-force on the filament. Most printers have a function to load filament automatically. If yours does not, then try this load/unload “print”.

The photo under depicts two identical prints (1 nonetheless has help material attached). The print on the left was produced with a perfectly-functioning Flexion extruder. The a single around the correct had a small hardware problem that brought on pressure buildup and “blobbing”.

So the way to fix this problem?

Blobs/strings/pressure buildup - if the barrel (see the exploded view for component name reference) is just not pushed each of the way up into the mounting block, then the PTFE will probably be in a position to float in between the nip point and also the nozzle, permitting the accumulation of material among the PTFE and also the nozzle. This is a challenge that may manifest as time passes. You might get some quantity of “good” prints just before seeing this impact. The top solution to repair it can be to disassemble your hotend, remove any material, and reassemble. Guarantee that the barrel is seated on its shoulder against the bottom in the mounting block. Ensure that to tighten the nozzle when it can be at temperature to have a very good seal.

Bumpy surfaces/inconsistent extrusion - this could be attributable to undesirable settings. Ahead of you take into account hardware concerns, adjust temperature and extrusion up and down. If that doesn’t help, you might have an under-powered extruder motor. This could “cog” toward a steady magnetic position when it really should be micro-stepping, causing visible places of over- and under-extrusion. To operate the Flexion, we advocate a minimum of 250N-mm of torque. Most Nema17 motors reach this, but some drivers usually do not provide enough current. This takes place most usually on Wanhao (and similar) printers, especially one particular batch that shipped in early 2017. To adjust present, comply with the guide right here. You may also find replacement motors on Amazon.

Design and style Considerations

Listed here are some swift tips to optimize prints for flexible filament:

Keep overhangs at 40° or significantly less

Style in peelable assistance wherever probable (see Ninjaflex Help Material here)

Use slicer-generated help and take away with side-cutters. This works superior than you could imagine

We hope this helps you print flexible filament using the Flexion Extruder. Should you have any inquiries, we're normally here to answer them! Just send a message by way of our make contact with kind.