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Topic: Food safe flexible filament

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone knows of any semi flex or full flex filament which is food safe as need some fro a project what I am doing.

Thanks smile

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

L.woinson95 wrote:

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone knows of any semi flex or full flex filament which is food safe as need some fro a project what I am doing.

Thanks smile


You can't print a foodsafe item regardless of what filament you use. There are microscopic cracks in the print that food can get into and be unable to be removed and that will promote bacterial growth that you cannot control.

Using printed utensils and containers for food will make you and others sick and could even lead to fatal food poisoning.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

^^ What carl said.

I would print what I was interested in making in ABS or PLA, smooth and finish it, then make a mold using food grade platinum-cure silicone. After that, you can cast it in any food safe resin. It's a LOT more work and a lot more expensive than just printing something, but if you want to be safe with it you don't have many alternatives.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

http://www.3dsupplyworld.com/taulman-t- … -filament/


Well this is is food grade what you can print containers and that out of?

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

t-glase is food safe in the sense that it contains no bad chemicals that can leach into the food. The problem is that there isn't any easy way to thoroughly clean anything that you print well enough to ensure there will be no mold/bacteria  build up in the print lines.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

6 (edited by carl_m1968 2015-06-22 21:07:29)

Re: Food safe flexible filament

L.woinson95 wrote:

http://www.3dsupplyworld.com/taulman-t- … -filament/


Well this is is food grade what you can print containers and that out of?


Its not about the chemical.  PLA is the same stuff they package produce in at the supermarket. The issue is the tiny holes between layers that food particles and liquids can get into. Once in there they cannot be cleaned out. They will lead to mold and bacterial growth that will contaminate any new food or beverage placed in the container.

Even vapor finishing which does not work on any of the food safe stuff still leaves small pores and voids that can support growth. All it takes it one of the right germ and you could be hospitalized or worse.

Its a cool idea that many have done not knowing the risk, but for me personally not worth my life.

There is guy on ebay that sells printed cookie cutters. Again bad idea since cookie dough contains raw egg and potential e.coli.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

I suppose you could autoclave or similar to sterilize it if you really wanted to. At least a soak in boiling water would help. Of course, then you have to worry about the moisture and heat destroying your print.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

8 (edited by Pinshape 2015-11-23 21:52:56)

Re: Food safe flexible filament

What everyone said is true - there will be tiny micro cracks in the filament which collect bacteria and make it not safe for extended contact with food. However, it really depends on what you plan on printing. If you're printing a cookie cutter which won't contact the food for very long then it's not a big deal, if you're printing a cup which will hot coffee it's a different story.  We published a blog on 3D printing and food safety where we go over top concerns and tips to reduce these risks. If you're interested in learning more about food safe filaments and other steps you should take to make your print more food safe, feel free to check it out! Hope this helps https://blog.pinshape.com/3d-printing-food-safe/

9 (edited by mdrVB6 2015-11-25 14:16:05)

Re: Food safe flexible filament

I have an ABS printed measuring scoop that I have been using daily for over a year in my protein powder.  It only ever touches dry powder.  I run it through the dishwasher once in a while.  I am still alive.  Your results may vary.

SD4 w/ RUMBA, E3D Volcano, all bearings, glass bed

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

If you want to print in food safe filament that's fine, go for it! But understand all the risks people are mentioning are very, very real, and could potentially be very harmful to you or the person you give it to.

So here's my two cents:
One thing I don't hear people mention a lot is uses. If you want to print a 'food safe' item then I would expect it to be used only once and immediately thrown away. This works very well for cookie cutters, in fact I collaborate with a local bakery making one time use cookie cutters for special orders.

FuseBox 1.5 CoreXY - e3dv6 - Graphic Smart Display
Solidoodle 2 - e3dv6 - Hobb Goblin - e3d Titan - lawsy carriages - Direct Drive Y Axis - T8 Z axis - OctoPi

11 (edited by widespreaddeadhead 2015-11-25 17:46:17)

Re: Food safe flexible filament

mdrVB6 wrote:

I am still alive.  Your results may vary.

lol lol lol

Also, I accidentally reported this post instead of replying. My bad. tongue

FuseBox 1.5 CoreXY - e3dv6 - Graphic Smart Display
Solidoodle 2 - e3dv6 - Hobb Goblin - e3d Titan - lawsy carriages - Direct Drive Y Axis - T8 Z axis - OctoPi

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

mdrvb6, you SAY you're alive but how do WE know that?

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

Isn't the brass nozzle also a problem for food safe applications? Due to lead content.

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

cmcc wrote:

Isn't the brass nozzle also a problem for food safe applications? Due to lead content.

no lead in brass

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

15 (edited by n2ri 2016-02-05 19:42:58)

Re: Food safe flexible filament

only injection molded plastics of some types are truely food safe. most microwave safe containers even have places than food stains. ever heated ravioli a couple times in clear bowls? its soon orange. there are some plastics that can be sterilized for medical reuse even but not cheap nor 3D printed. MonoJect syringes are one but dont know anyone that does reuse them anymore and most order them with sharps safe needles made into them now as theirs is easy to use no way to stick yourself covering needle. I know this due to being purchasing for the clinics I worked for also.

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

n2ri wrote:
cmcc wrote:

Isn't the brass nozzle also a problem for food safe applications? Due to lead content.

no lead in brass

I'm pretty sure c360 brass rods contain roughly 3% lead, and I'm pretty sure most if not all brass 3d printer nozzles are made from c360 brass. I doubt that you would actually get enough lead in your item to make it a realistic danger, but I don't think you could call it "food safe".

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

well lots of commercial kitchen equipment use brass and even soldered copper parts for thing like Fryers, dishwashers, brazers, steamers, ice machines etc almost all older stuff does. plus plumbing did until a few years ago and some still dont use lead free solder or food safe plastic, polished stainless steel, porcelain or even white enamel paint etc. so what manufacturing machines are made of have little to do with passing it on to food that never came in contact with it. now lube used is different they must use food grade grease and lube as it can get into things and contaminate food directly so maybe Lithium grease should not be used on machines making food grade containers.

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

Commercial kitchen equipment with brass most likely uses a some other type of brass that doesn't contain lead. Brass sometimes has lead added because it makes it easier to cut/machine, but its not universal for all brass. I agree with you that the amount of lead passed through the nozzle is probably negligible. You could probably even eat the nozzle and not suffer and lead based side effects. They make stainless steel nozzles specifically for "food safe" applications, but I guess for someone doing it for themselves, there is a difference between "food safe" and "safe for food".

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

heck China never got the 1965 memo about lead hazards LOL

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: Food safe flexible filament

and lipstick had lead base earlier, maybe thats where the true meaning of Dumb Blondes came from

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs