3D Printing Stack Exchange
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1500 questions
26
votes
8 answers

What are the advantages and disadvantages of an all-metal hot end compared to one with a PTFE heat break?

Related to an issue I had in this question, where the PTFE tube feeding my filament to the metal tip of the extruder clogged and became discolored: what are the advantages and disadvantages of changing out my extruder (Mk10 on a FlashForge Creator…
Dustin Wheeler
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25
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5 answers

How should I clean my extruder when changing materials?

I often switch my print material, i.e. ABS / PLA / Wood / Flex, How can I best clean out my extruder between them to ensure I don't contaminate my next print?
Matt Clark
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24
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5 answers

Does filament have to be stored in an airtight environment?

For standard ABS and PLA filament, most distributors recommend storing the filament in an airtight bag. Does not doing this actually make print quality worse? I have left mine in the open for a year and have had no noticeable problems.
Eric Johnson
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24
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5 answers

Advantages of PETG filament?

I was just shopping for filament, and saw some glowing claims about PETG being as easy to work with as PLA, but as strong as ABS, and less brittle. Anyone know if that's actually true, or what the tradeoffs are?
TextGeek
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24
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2 answers

Do stepper motors require any maintenance?

I've had my printer for almost a year now. Is there something I should be doing to maintain the motors?
kareem
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23
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4 answers

What glues for bonding printed PLA to injection-molded plastic?

I will be creating a small tube styled piece to use as a junction between two pieces of plastic. The idea is to reattach the two pieces and provide strength so they don't break apart again. I plan on using PLA. My question is, will superglue…
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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6 answers

How can I best clean the print bed after a print?

I've occasionally had issues with excess filament residue getting stuck to the print bed. There are ways to prevent this, but sometimes even these precautions aren't enough. Over time, residue can build up. I've observed this in some printers,…
HDE 226868
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22
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5 answers

What is the benefit of using an ARM based electronics?

Most electronics use micro-controllers like an AVR, but I'm seeing ARM chips in new electronics. ARM chips are said to be more powerful, but in what areas related to 3D printing could this help? What are the features that the AVR struggles with and…
Lars Pötter
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22
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2 answers

Mushy small top layers?

I just added a fan to my printer because very small layers seem to come out very badly. For example, the 5mm PLA cube that's the top level of the test shape shown below. Watching closely, I can see that the newly-extruded fiber is pushing the…
TextGeek
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2 answers

How to get consistent and accurate readings from thermocouples?

I upgraded to an Mk9 dual extruder, and it came with thermocouples installed instead of the thermistors I had before. No matter what I did with the thermocouples, the indicated temperature jumped around by as much as 30C or more. In short, after…
TextGeek
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22
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4 answers

Which are the food-safe materials and how do I recognize them?

What materials which are commonly used in 3D printing, are food-safe? Are there any certifications/grading process for such materials, which can help me with my cross-checking and selection? I have been using an FDM printer.
Dawny33
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22
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5 answers

Should I enclose my 3D Printer?

I have a home built RepRap with all sides open.. Would there be any advantage to enclosing the print area in acrylic?
Matt Clark
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21
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5 answers

Which is more durable to sunlight/weather - PLA, ABS or PETG

The backstory: I'm installing a pigeon net in my home. Because of the shape of the opening I'm installing the net in and the material on the sides it's difficult to anchor the net using the normal means but I can print clips that will hold the net…
Nir
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21
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5 answers

How to identify nozzle wear

E3D-Online and Make Magazine have written about the potential damage printing carbon fiber and glow in the dark filaments can do to your printer's nozzle. What I can't seem to find is what clues or warning signs to be on the look out for if your…
TheNewHobbyist
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21
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4 answers

What to do with failed/unwanted 3D prints?

I am planning on getting a 3D printer soon and I was just wondering, what do you do with 3D prints that either failed or were prototypes that you no longer want? I tried looking online but the closest I got was effects on environment, turning prints…
Koppany Horvath
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