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Just finished my first TPU print
(i.imgur.com)
Pretty impressed how well that one turned out. Used SUNLU TPU in yellow with 200/50 degrees Celsius at 20mm/s speed on my Voxelab Aquila (upgraded PEI bed and DirectDrive, also used Filament drybox).
This filament to be exact:
Angebot: SUNLU TPU Filament, 1KG Flexibles 95A TPU 3D Drucker Filament 1.75mm Maßgenauigkeit +/- 0.03 mm, Hohe Liquidität und Elastizität, 1KG（2.2Lbs) Spule, TPU Filament für FDM 3D Drucker,TPU Gelb https://amzn.eu/d/7H5TLjr
Thank you! To be honest it was a bit of work to get my printer ready for TPU, but it’s absolutely worth it. Being able to print this material gives so much additional usecases for 3D printing. Absolutely recommend this!
What did you need to do to get your printer ready? Anything you've learned to make it easier a second time?
I think that heavily depends on the used printer, parts and filament.
But one tricky thing that comes to mind instantly was e-Steps. I got a metal dual gear Extruder and didn’t realize that the gear was smaller than the original. Because of that I had to change the e-steps in the printers firmware-settings so it knows how much it needs to turn in order to get one mm of filament through. As I didn’t know that I had some crazy underxtrusion and warping problems. Took quite a while to figure out (not only a problem with TPU).
But generally if your partner wants to get into TPU printing, I would get at least a direct drive upgrade. TPU is a flexible material and it’s better to press it in the Hotend as directly as possible. Also print very slow to get better results.
Thanks for the advice! Fortunately, our Fokoos comes with a direct drive, so that's checked off already. I think our major hurdle right now will be to keep filament properly dry, as I read TPU can get quite finicky with that.
I hadn't thought of the printing speed yet, though - appreciate the help!
For keeping it dry I got myself this one (currently 10% discount):
eSUN Trockenbox für 3D Drucker Filament, eBOX Lite 3D Drucker Hält das Filament Trockenbox, Staubdicht und Feuchtigkeitsdicht, Kompatibel mit 1.75mm, 2.85mm, 3.00mm Filament https://amzn.eu/d/1zvqBJd
It works really good so far
What use cases for example? I can print TPU and have some lying around, but I have no idea what to use it for. The only useful thing I printed with it so far was new endcaps for a ladder.
That always depends on your needs. If I don’t need something right now, I don‘t print it. I had some months i didn’t print at all, because I just had no need for 3D printed parts.
If you want some ideas on what you might need, i suggest going to printables and simply type in TPU.
For me there right now are some small parts I already need to print:
https://www.printables.com/de/model/231981-soft-tpu-vise-jaws
https://www.printables.com/de/model/294397-flexible-tpu-work-mat
https://www.printables.com/de/model/207308-tpu-zippo-gasket
https://www.printables.com/de/model/124743-tpu-flex-cable-zip-tie
And some parts I am currently designing myself for inside an old iPod i am currently upgrading to micro so card