Schlagwort: 3D printing filament

  • Become Your Own Material Maker with the Felfil Evo Filament Extruder

    Become Your Own Material Maker with the Felfil Evo Filament Extruder

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    The Felfil Evo is an open-source 3D printer plastic extruder machine that allows you to create customized 3D printing filament from the comfort of your own home. Make your own materials from plastic pellets, flawed or old 3D prints, or plastic waste. 

    With all of the brands and formulations crowding the 3D printing market, finding the right filament can be a trying experience. Sometimes, a maker knows exactly what color or characteristic they need for their printing project, but it isn’t always readily available.

    The Felfil Evo is aiming to put the power of filament production into the hands of the maker community. Manufactured by the Italian startup Felfil, this plastic filament extruder is capable of creating 3D printing materials from industrial pellets, disposable 3D prints, or plastic waste. It’s a completely open source device that is made up of all-new components, all of which can be easily sourced at a low price.


    Felfil Evo is equipped with a nozzle, an electronic card that is compatible with Arduino, and a specially designed extrusion screw and melting chamber that enhances the overall extrusion quality.

    Whether you have a certain filament color in mind, prints or plastic waste that you want to recycle, or just want to experiment, the Felfil Evo will be the driving force in your quest to create 3D printing materials. According to the manufacturer, users can save up to 80 percent on spool costs by using the plastic extruder and their granulated plastic pellets.

    With the Felfil Evo, you can produce a wide range of filament types, such as PLA, ABS, TPU, PETG, Nylon and more. The team has shared the optimal settings for each material, and they even sell their own PLA and ABS pellets to help you get started right away.


    The Felfil Evo Filament Extruder: From Master’s Thesis to Market

    While the Felfil Evo officially surfaced on the market in October 2017, the Italian startup has been developing its plastic extruder concept for a few years. In fact, the first prototypes of FelFil were created for a master’s thesis project. In 2015, the first iteration of Felfil Evo made its way to the popular crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, where it raised over €45,000 from a total of 168 backers.

    In addition to their Kickstarter success, the Felfil team also launched a campaign on the Italian equity crowdfunding platform called Mamacrowd Projects, raking in another €119,000. This sizable amount of funding enabled the team to continue refining the design, eventually leading to the production of the second series of the filament extruder. 


    By conducting surveys and listening to the feedback from their earliest adopters, Felfil has been able to continuously improve upon the Evo’s design and functionality. In October 2017, after completing their pre-sale orders from various crowdfunding campaigns, the latest version of the Felfil Evo became available for immediate order.

    The Felfil Evo is currently available in three forms: Assembled (719€), Complete Kit (599€), and the Basic Kit (299€). The assembled version is ideal for beginners or those who want to get extruding right away. All you have to do is set the temperature and gear motor speed to start making your own filament. The Complete Kit comes with all of the components needed to start your filament making journey, and requires a short amount of time to assemble. Finally, the Basic Kit contains the main components needed to build the Evo, while parts like heaters and electronics need to be sourced elsewhere.  


    It’s available in four different colors (yellow transparent, transparent, white, black) and comes equipped with either a 1.75mm or 2.85mm nozzle.

    Are you ready to start creating and experimenting with your own 3D printing filament? You can purchase the Felfil Evo and pellets directly from the Felfil website.

    License: The text of „Become Your Own Material Maker with the Felfil Evo Filament Extruder“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Colorfabb Launches High-Quality Semi Matte Black Filament

    Colorfabb Launches High-Quality Semi Matte Black Filament

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    The new PLA Semi-Matte Black 3D printing filament combines a stylish textured finish for a cleaner, smoother look.

    ColorFabb, the 3D printing filament producer, has just launched a brand new filament. The PLA Semi-Matte Black provides a smoother surface finish compared to other PLAs. The filament achieves a high-quality finish because it does not contain fibers.

    Conveniently, the new PLA Semi-Matte Black can be used without having to adjust printer settings or parameters. This makes it even easier to give it a try.


    ColorFabb also offers two black matte finish filaments – the XT-CF20 and the PA-CF Low Warp. However, these require a hardened steel nozzle for printing.

    Meanwhile, the PLA Semi-Matte Black provides improved aesthetics whilst reducing the glossiness seen across most PLA 3D prints. Therefore, surface highlights are less obvious and the final look is cleaner and more luxurious.

    The new filament can be printed at the usual PLA temperatures and settings. It is a reliable and easy-to-work-with material similar to other PLA materials.

    A spool will set you back roughly $49 or 40 Euro. For more information, head over to ColorFabb and check out the other colors available.

    License: The text of „Colorfabb Launches High-Quality Semi Matte Black Filament“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Weekend Project: How to Properly Polish & Oxidize Your Metal 3D Prints

    Weekend Project: How to Properly Polish & Oxidize Your Metal 3D Prints

    Reading Time: 4 minutes

    Metal 3D printing filaments are perfect for busts, figurines, and other 3D models. But in order to achieve that true metal look, you have to know how to properly post-process your metal 3D print. This weekend, get familiar with polishing and oxidizing techniques that will help your 3D print shine. 

    There are a wide range of 3D printing filaments out there, and each one offers its own unique aesthetic or mechanical value. One of the most popular exotic materials is what some call “metal-fill”, which consists of a mixture of metal powder and PLA.

    The Dutch filament producer colorFabb has struck gold with its line of metal 3D printing materials, including bronzeFill, copperFill, brassFill, and steelFill. This filament is widely used to 3D print statues, figurines, and more.

    Now, it’s important remember, there are other filaments that are metallic in color, but don’t actually contain any metal powder.

    Right off the print bed, most metal 3D printing filaments lack the look and feel of true steel, although it is noticeably heavier than your average PLA. However, a little bit of post-processing will transform your 3D print into a shiny metallic object.

    On this Weekend Project, we’ll show you how to post-process your metal 3D prints using polish and oxidization.

    Polish & Oxidize Your Metal 3D Prints: What Do You Need?

    First and foremost, you’re going to need to get your hands on some metal 3D printing filament. There are a few brands to choose from, but few are as reputable as colorFabb. Currently, the company offers four different types of metal 3D printing filament:

    colorFabb steelFill


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    colorFabb bronzeFill


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    colorFabb brassFill


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    colorFabb copperFill


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    Aside from the material itself, here’s what else you need to start post-processing your metal 3D printing filament:


    (Image source: Pinshape)

    Polish & Oxidize Your Metal 3D Prints: It’s Post-Processing Time!

    Now that you have your metal 3D printing filament and post-processing supplies, it’s time to polish up that 3D print. But first, let’s go over a few tips on how to optimize the 3D printing process for this material.

    Since metal 3D printing filament has a hefty mix of metal powder in the formula, this material tends to wear down the nozzle of your 3D printer. So, if you have a higher quality and wear resistant nozzle, you might want to use that.

    In order to prevent the metal 3D printing filament from clogging, you should reduce the number of retractions through your slicing software. Additionally, since this material is heavier than your average PLA, it oftentimes does poorly with overhangs and bridges. To alleviate this issue, you can reduce the number of overhangs and change the layer height to 0.1 or even lower.

    Once you’ve printed your metal object, the first step of the post-processing technique is sanding. Start with 150 grit sandpaper to eliminate the layer lines, and continue to smooth the surface with 300 and 450 grit.

    At this point, your 3D print should be smooth, but not yet shiny. Steel wool helps to unearth the metal particles in your object, giving it that metallic glimmer you’ve been searching for. Start with the more coarse steel wool, and slowly make your way to the fine grit. By now, your metal 3D print should be shimmering with a metallic glimmer.

    If you want to take things a step further and provide a more rustic feel to your 3D printed object, you can also oxidize it with Brasso. This ammonia-based oxidizing agent will give your print the impression that it’s undergoing a chemical reaction.

    Simply pick out the spots you want to oxidize and apply the Brasso. The appearance of oxidization should take place in about 30-45 minutes. This solution does pose some health risks, so be cautious when handling the Brasso. Conversely, you can also use a salt and vinegar mixture to oxidize your 3D print.

    After you’re finished oxidizing your 3D print, you can use your steel wool to alter or remove some of the effect. Finally, use an acrylic spray or epoxy to seal the oxidization into the object. As you see, with just a few easy post-processing tricks, you can transform your 3D printed models into metallic relics.


    Source: colorFabb/Pinshape


    License: The text of „Weekend Project: How to Properly Polish & Oxidize Your Metal 3D Prints“ by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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  • Weekend Project: A $20 DIY Heated DryBox for 3D Printing Filament Storage

    Weekend Project: A $20 DIY Heated DryBox for 3D Printing Filament Storage

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    Want to keep your filament in tip-top shape? Engineer and 3D printing enthusiast RichRap shows us how to create DIY Heated DryBox for 3D Printing filament for under $20.  

    No matter how finely tuned your 3D printer is, the quality of your prints are highly dependent on the state of the filament you’re feeding through the extruder. Some 3D printing materials are highly susceptible to moisture in the air, which can result in poor quality prints. Before printing, these spoiled filaments need to be kept in an airtight container with desiccant and dried out in the oven.

    On today’s Weekend Project, we’re sharing the DIY Heated DryBox created by engineer and renowned 3D printing enthusiast RichRap. Not only does this contraption keep your filament properly stored, it also has the capacity to actively heat the material while printing. More importantly, the entire project shouldn’t cost you anymore than $20 – $30, depending on where you source your materials.

    Let’s dig a bit deeper into what you’ll need to build a DIY Heated DryBox.


    DIY Heated DryBox: What Do You Need?

    There is some 3D printing involved in the assembly of the DIY Heated DryBox. But it also requires some other inexpensive parts. Here’s what you need:


    DIY Heated DryBox: Putting it all Together

    The first thing you’ll need is a plastic storage box that holds at least 11 liters and has a lid. You can likely find one at your local hardware store or on Amazon. It’s important that the height of the box is tall enough to fit an upright spool of filament, but the lid doesn’t have to be completely sealable.

    RichRap also suggests using a Reptile Heating Mat as the heating element for the DIY Heated DryBox. He was initially inspired to create this solution after a trip to E3D, a UK producer of high-end 3D printing accessories. While visiting, he saw the company was storing its exotic and nylon materials in a plastic box that had this type of heater laid on top of it.

    The temperature and humidity sensor is stored within a 3D printed housing. The heating element slides into the 3D printed base, and will rest underneath the filament to keep the environment toasty. You’ll also have to 3D print a spool. All of these files are freely available on Thingiverse or Youmagine.


    Finally, two cable connectors are inserted in the front, allowing two different filaments to exit through tubing directly to the printer. Another cable connector is mounted in the back for the power cable of the heating element.

    This project requires a bit of hands-on work, but the results that RichRap achieves without breaking the bank are truly impressive. While filament storage solutions like the Polybox are readily available, the DIY Heated DryBox is more versatile and costs a fraction of the price to create. On top of that, you get that sense of accomplishment that comes with completing any useful DIY project.

    Learn more about the components on RichRap’s blog, and check out the video below to see the entire assembly process in action.

    Website: LINK

  • PETG Filament for 3D Printing: Explained & Compared

    PETG Filament for 3D Printing: Explained & Compared

    Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most commonly used plastic in the world. You can find the polymer almost everywhere you look, from your water bottle to clothing fibers, even in your food containers. PET is also used in thermoforming processes and can be combined with glass fiber to create engineering resins. Basically, thousands of consumer products, foods, and beverages are delivered and packaged within this material. Unfortunately, it‘s even floating in our oceans.

    On the 3D printing side of things, there’s PETG, which is is a modified version of PET. The ‘G’ stands for “glycol-modified”, which is added to the material composition during polymerization. The result is a filament that is clearer, less brittle, and easier to use than its base form of PET. The molecular structure is irregular; the resin is clear and amorphous with a glass transition temperature of 88 C (190 F). If you’re into chemistry, this material is known as Polyethylene Terephthalateco-1, 4-cylclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate (try saying that mouthful three times quickly…).

    It’s also worth letting Polyethylene coTrimethylene Terephthalate (PETT) make a cameo in this guide. PETT, as you can probably tell, is another variant of PET. It’s slightly more rigid than PETG, and is popular for being transparent.

    Learn more about other filament types: 3D Printer Filament – 25 Best Types & Comparison Charts


    Website: LINK

  • The Best PETG Filament Tested & Reviewed

    The Best PETG Filament Tested & Reviewed

    Reading Time: 3 minutes

    colorFabb_XT (Runner-Up)


    Although colorFabb now offers a PETG material in an economy package, the filament producer’s XT line offers similar durability while also being easy to print. We ended up testing the XT_Black alongside the other participating PETG filament. The colorFabb_XT co-polyester range is made with Amphora polymers from Eastman Chemical Company, which helps make materials more functional, durable, and efficient.

    We found that the colorFabb material finished in the middle of the pack both visually and mechanically. The 3DBenchy we printed with this material did well with bridging and overall quality, but still had a few flaws, particularly with overhangs. The black color provides a sleek look and hides a few of the discrepancies within the print.


     During the tensile testing, the colorFabb_XT was able to sustain 644 N (~65 kg) of controlled tension. While the material failed to finish at the top in the visual or mechanical runoff, it still turned out to be an adequate option as a filament that satisfies both categories.

    Print Settings

    • Print temperature: 250 C
    • Bed temperature: 65 C

    Using Eastman Amphora 3D polymer, colorFabb has created their own brand of PETG: colorFabb_XT. This material offers a nice balance of mechanical strength and visual appeal, and comes in a sleek black color.

    ColorFabb

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    Makeshaper PETG (Best Budget)


    If cost is the number one factor playing into your PETG filament shopping spree, you might want to take a look at Makershaper PETG. Currently priced at $24 (for 1kg spool), this dark green material provides decent quality without breaking the bank.

    During the tensile testing, the Makeshaper PETG showcased mediocre strength, withstanding 541 N (~55 kg) of force before buckling under pressure. Compared to some of the other PETG materials, these results were a tad bit disappointing. However, this dark green filament did perform quite adequately on the visual test, arguably making it worth its low retail price.

    While we found that there are stronger and more visually appealing options on the market, this PETG is among the most affordable out there.

    Print Settings

    • Print temperature: 245 C
    • Bed temperature: 70 C

    This PETG filament from Makeshaper is the most affordable of the bunch, giving you a chance to experiment with PETG without making a dent in your wallet.

    Makeshaper

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    Verbatim PET

    We also tested the clear and transparent Verbatim PET material. While the 3DBenchy came out nearly flawless, this material was surprisingly a bit lackluster in the mechanical test. The carabiner started to undergo deformation at around 484N (~49 kg).

    Verbatim PET – Transparent




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    rigid.ink PETG

    Lastly, we also attempted to print with rigid.ink’s Blue PET-G material, but unfortunately faced quality control issues during the visual test. The filament itself offers a unique and rich color, but we got a glaring amount of ripples, echoes, and overhangs in our Benchy models.

    rigid.ink PETG – Transparent Blue




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    Website: LINK