Differences

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--- tools:digitalfabrication:3dprinters:home [2020/12/30 17:25]
jabelone [HSBNE 3D Printer Design Tips]
+++ tools:digitalfabrication:3dprinters:home [2021/10/16 14:31]
davidjericho
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 It is expected that you pay for any filament that you use for the 3D printers. Octoprint will automatically calculate the time taking into account the estimate print time, and filament usage. The below filaments are compatible with our printers. If you have been authorised to use your own slicer, please use an approximate cost of $40/kg of filament when calculating the cost. If you've been authorised to use your own filament, please donate approx $2/hr for printer usage and maintenance.
-==== ABS ====
+==== PLA ====
-We do not recommend people print with this as PETG is a generally a better alternative for most situations. ABS is very strong and has high heat tolerance. It has a glass transition temperature of around 100 degrees which means this is when it gets soft. However, it's plagued by warping problems and is notoriously difficult to print with.
+PLA is by far the easiest of all filaments to print with, however this trade off comes at durability and strength making it unsuitable for parts exposed to heavy duty use. It has a fairly low glass transition (softening) temperature of around 60 degrees. As it is so easy to print with, it's possibly the most commonly used 3D printer filament used. PLA will soften and warp if left in a hot area like a car.
+PLA is recommended for it's ease of printing whenever you don't need the strength or heat resistance of PETG.
 ==== PETG ====
-PETG is recommended over ABS as it's nearly as strong but has slightly less heat resistance. It's much easier to print with and does not normally have printing or warping issues. It has a glass transition temperature of around 80 degrees.
+If higher heat resistance and high strength than PLA is needed, PETG is recommended. It's much easier to print than ABS and does not normally have printing or warping issues. It has a glass transition temperature of around 80 degrees. PETG can be extremely sticky when printing, so it's important to have layer adhesion and extrusion rates confirmed through testing, otherwise it can lead to many failed or low quality prints.
-==== PLA ====
+==== ABS ====
-PLA is the most brittle and weak of filaments (comparatively) and also has a fairly low glass transition temperature of around 60 degrees. However, don't think PLA is weak or bad to print with, it's most suited to models like figurines etc. due to the ease of printing. PLA *will* melt if left in a really hot area like a car. PLA is recommended for it's ease of printing whenever you don't need the strength or heat resistance of PETG.
+We do not recommend people print unless the specifics of the material behaviour are known and needed. ABS can be strong, has some flexibility, and has higher heat tolerance with a glass transition temperature of around 100 degrees. Variants such as ABS+ or ABSmax (from eSun) can be very easy to print with some practice, although the filaments can cost more than PETG and even high quality PLA variants. ABS can also release styrene when printing, which may give some people headaches or other ill feelings when exposed for extended periods. ABS is not UV stable, so printed objects used outdoors may degrade over time. Many ABS variants have the advantage of being able to be welded or vapour smoothed using acetone.
+==== ASA ====
+ASA is similar to ABS in many respects, with the added benefit of UV stability. Commonly used in car parts, the trade off is price. Some ASA filaments won't print reliably on HSBNE's CR-X printers due to the higher heat needed. ASA can be welded or vapour smoothed using acetone.
 ===== 3D Printer Maintainers =====