HIPS (Page 2 of 2)

We don't have a writeup on HIPS yet, if either of you guys want to do one theres $50 in store credit available.

UPDATE -

Since there isn't much on the forum about HIPS, for future reference to anyone who wishes to use HIPS:

I found best results using about a 75:25 mixture of d-Limonene & Isopropyl alcohol (respectively). The alcohol doesn't mix with the d-Limonene, so an agitator is needed. I used a glass pint jar filled to 40mm from the top and printed a bracket for the motor to attach to the lid and an agitator for the motor. Files are attached.

-Smaller parts took 2-4 hours for the HIPS to dissolve.
-It is best if you remove some support by hand before starting; this cuts down on the dissolve time of course.
-As elmoret stated, HIPS definitely doesn't play well with ABS. It made the parts a little bit soft but they seemed to harden back up after drying. No extensive testing has been done on this.
-The color in ABS seems to dissolve into the d-Limonene. I did not see this problem with PC, so perhaps this is just part of the Styrene in ABS dissolving.
-I also found out that my filament spools are made from Polystyrene (as clearly marked on the spool, dummy!) - so using one as a tool rest for tools used to reach in the jar was really not a good idea.

In this picture, these parts were printed upside down (like the part on the left in the background). The picture doesn't do it justice, but the supported surface is really smooth and flat. Parts here were printed with filastruder PC and store-bought HIPS.

As seen here, the d-Limonene and alcohol separate. You can also see where the orange from my test ABS has dissolved into the d-Limonene. You can see the motor/agitator assembly clearly here.

Agitator mixes the d-Limonene/Alcohol very well and also helps speed up the process by tumbling the parts.