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3D printing materials

3D printing filaments compared on datasheet numbers: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, nylon, polycarbonate, and carbon fiber and graphene filled grades.

Shapes of raw biscuit dough on baking paper, cut with a 3D printed cutterMaterials

12 min read · 18 sources

Is PLA food safe: the resin, the filament and the printed part

PLA resin is cleared for food contact, a printed part isn't. What filament makers' tests cover, layer lines, heat above 55-60 °C, brass nozzles, epoxy and PETG.

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An Ultimaker 3 printing a green part with white breakaway supportMaterials

13 min read · 24 sources

Are 3D printer fumes toxic: particles, VOCs and filters

What 3D printers emit by filament in chamber studies: ultrafine particles and VOCs like styrene, what HEPA and carbon filters remove, and safer setups.

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A drop of molten plastic hanging from the tip of a printer nozzleMaterials

12 min read · 25 sources

3D printer nozzle clogged: causes by filament and how to clear it

Why PLA, PETG, TPU, fiber and glitter filaments clog a 3D printer nozzle, cold pull temperatures from Prusa, Bambu Lab and UltiMaker, and when to replace it.

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Spools of orange, purple, red and grey filament on a shelf above printed figurinesMaterials

19 min read · 39 sources

3D printer filament types and uses, compared

Types of 3D printer filament compared: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, nylon, PC and composites, with a temperature chart, pros and cons, and which to use for each job.

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A printer nozzle laying down orange plastic over a heated bedMaterials

17 min read · 30 sources

PLA vs PETG vs ABS (and ASA): which filament for which job

PLA vs PETG vs ABS compared with datasheet numbers: strength, heat resistance, UV and outdoor use, warping, fumes, food contact and when ASA is the better pick.

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Woven carbon fibre fabric on a loomMaterials

16 min read · 28 sources

Carbon fiber, glass fiber and graphene filaments: what the filler changes

What is in carbon fiber, glass fiber and graphene filaments, what the filler changes in stiffness, heat and conductivity, and the nozzle and safety trade-offs.

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A row of filament spools in red, yellow, white, blue and green lying on an open workshop shelfMaterials

18 min read · 38 sources

Filament drying temperatures and times for every common material

Drying temperatures and times for PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU, nylon, PC, PVA and carbon fibre grades, what moisture does to a printed part, and how to store filament so it stays dry.

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A Bambu Lab X1 Carbon printer with a four spool AMS unit on top, its lid closed over black, red, grey and white filamentMaterials

10 min read · 4 sources

Drying filament in the AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT: settings by material

Bambu Lab's AMS 2 Pro and AMS HT drying temperatures and times for PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, PC, nylon and PVA, which spools can share a cycle, rotating or static mode, power and printing while drying.

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The toolhead of a Voron printer, its orange and black printed housing marked VORON, over a textured build sheetMaterials

7 min read · 14 sources

ASA print settings: nozzle, bed, fan, chamber and drying

ASA print settings from the Prusament, Polymaker and Bambu Lab data sheets: nozzle and bed temperature, fan, chamber heat, drying, and where they disagree.

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A white PETG pulley shaft with five grooved sheaves and a keyed hub, lying on a black worktopMaterials

8 min read · 8 sources

PETG print settings: nozzle, bed, fan, retraction and drying

PETG print settings from the Prusament, Polymaker and Bambu Lab data sheets: nozzle and bed temperature, build surface, fan, retraction, drying, and where the documents disagree.

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A hot end with a red silicone sock laying the first lines of a print onto blue painter's tapeMaterials

9 min read · 11 sources

TPU print settings: nozzle, bed, speed, retraction and drying

TPU print settings from Prusa, Polymaker and Bambu Lab: nozzle and bed temperature, print speed, retraction, fan, drying, 85A vs 90A vs 95A, and where the sources disagree.

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The first layer of a square part with a round opening, laid in white lines straight onto an amber heated bedNew

7 min read · 9 sources

3D print warping: why corners lift and how to stop it

Why 3D prints warp and lift at the corners, which filaments warp most, and the fixes Prusa and Bambu Lab recommend: plate cleaning, bed temperature, brims, drafts and enclosures.

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A close view of a PEEK satellite frame printed by ESA, its lattice wall open over circuit traces built into the partMaterials

15 min read · 22 sources

Engineering and high temperature 3D printing filaments compared

PCTG vs PETG, polypropylene, PVB, POM, PEI (ULTEM), PEEK, PEKK, PPA-CF, PPS-CF and PA12-CF compared: temperatures, heat resistance, drying and the hardware each needs.

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