1 Topic by Ggalisky (edited by Ggalisky 2014-09-27 00:40:04)

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Topic: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

*Sabic Lexan 143R PC is what the polycarbonate probably is, but I am not 100% sure it is that resin. Regardless, its is polycarbonate*

**Through out this review, polycarbonate will be abbreviated as PC**

Extruder type: Standard Filastruder with 1.75mm melt filter, full barrrel insulation, and vertical setup with winder.

Printer type: SD2, E3D v6, Bulldog XL, RUMBA + DRV8825, LCD, Glass bed, and Lawsy's Carraiges.

Extrusion temperature: 250°C
Extrusion rate without colorant: 15-21 inches per minute.
Extrusion rate with colorant: N/A
Average diameter of filament: 1.05mm
Tolerances: + or - 0.06mm
Comments: PC off gasses, so if you want to extrude or print with this material have a well ventilated area. The Filastruder can reach 250°C no problem, but when you turn on the motor, the temperature drops down to about 247°C. You definitely need to pre-dry this material to get good tolerances. With the addition of any fan bedsides the one mounted on the Filastruder, the temps drop down to about 230°C, and the motor has to work really hard, and also gets hot. Although fans make the temps drop, they thicken up the filament. While experimenting with fans, I ended up getting a few meters of filament that was near 1.75 with + or - 0.05mm tolerances. I got this from http://3dsupplysource.com/, but it was a limited run of 50lbs, and I bought two. If you need PC, PM me and I will get you in contact with my plastics person.

Comparison to commercial PC filament: N/A ( I have never bought a roll of PC, or ABS filament thanks to the Filastruder)

Pictures:
http://i.imgur.com/9V1xcCl.jpg
Here is my Filastruder and Filawinder setup.
http://i.imgur.com/X3wqbZF.jpg
Heart clip.
http://i.imgur.com/IipGjaq.jpg
Half failed vase.
http://i.imgur.com/XQXfHLu.jpg
Roll of PC on  printed spool.
http://i.imgur.com/FAd1Iv2.jpg
Up close of some Filament.


Thanks for reading! Questions? Comment? Feel free to PM me, or post a reply.

Ulitmaker 2, a few repraps, Custom Big FFF 3D printer with heated chamber.

My Blog http://ggalisky.weebly.com/
My Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXShYo … aDUpebDAOw

2 Reply by FelixP

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

It's good to see work being done with Polycarbonate. I am personally going to get a filastruder soon to make PC filament myself.

Do you think masterbatch for ABS would work as a colorant for PC?

3 Reply by Ggalisky (edited by Ggalisky 2015-03-11 04:43:21)

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

FelixP wrote:

Do you think masterbatch for ABS would work as a colorant for PC?

When I was extruding, some how a yellow ABS colorant pellet got in, and it colored a part of the filament yellow. I have not experimented with colorant and PC too much.

Ulitmaker 2, a few repraps, Custom Big FFF 3D printer with heated chamber.

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4 Reply by Revolve3D

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

The green, orange, and silver ABS colorant on my website is Omnicolor. It is a multipurpose colorant. I have never tried it with PC but it says it should work with PC in the brochure.

www.Revolve3D.com
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5 Reply by FelixP

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

why are only those colors omni, revolve3d?

if there are other omni colors, and one of your other omni colorants are successfully tested, would you consider making the other omni colors available for purchase?

ggalisky, what setup did you use to get up to 1.75 mm? I personally plan to modify the filastruder when I get it to have a higher voltage PSU so I can put on more fans and have a higher temp as needed.

6 Reply by Ggalisky

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

FelixP wrote:

ggalisky, what setup did you use to get up to 1.75 mm? I personally plan to modify the filastruder when I get it to have a higher voltage PSU so I can put on more fans and have a higher temp as needed.

1. Predry pellets
2. Vertical setup with winder
3. Placement of additonal fans in just the right spot.

I used a 12v PSU for the last run, but soon (next weekend hopefully) I will get a 15v PSU hooked up, and extrude some PC. I am also going to try a fan shroud to cover the nozzle, but blow air on the molten filament. If it works out I am going design it and get it laser cut by elmoret.

Ulitmaker 2, a few repraps, Custom Big FFF 3D printer with heated chamber.

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7 Reply by Revolve3D (edited by Revolve3D 2014-10-05 13:55:45)

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

The other ABS colors I have were purchased from OSprinting when Rob was closing down. The green, silver, and orange I added my self. I do plan on replacing the colors with omnicolor as I need more. I need more practice at getting even color flow in the urethane but it is advertised as working with TPU as well.

www.Revolve3D.com
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8 Reply by FelixP

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

I'd love to see someone try dual extruder printing with PC and something else to see if there's a decent breakaway support material for PC. I know the only dissolvable material that works with PC is PVA (because from what I have read, PC dissolves in both acetone and limonine).

9 Reply by elmoret

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

ABS-PC already breaks away pretty well:

https://plus.google.com/114513371427179 … 5zeh8JnVFF

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10 Reply by insta

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

FelixP wrote:

I'd love to see someone try dual extruder printing with PC and something else to see if there's a decent breakaway support material for PC. I know the only dissolvable material that works with PC is PVA (because from what I have read, PC dissolves in both acetone and limonine).

Acetone doesn't touch polycarbonate.  I still have pieces stuck in an HDPE bottle trying to dissolve (so I could make PC juice), months later.

11 Reply by Tomek

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

insta wrote:
FelixP wrote:

I'd love to see someone try dual extruder printing with PC and something else to see if there's a decent breakaway support material for PC. I know the only dissolvable material that works with PC is PVA (because from what I have read, PC dissolves in both acetone and limonine).

Acetone doesn't touch polycarbonate.  I still have pieces stuck in an HDPE bottle trying to dissolve (so I could make PC juice), months later.

Even PC-ABS seems to be acetone resistant, though it seems to affect it.
*based on one experience I had with PC-ABS and trying to acetone smooth it.

12 Reply by AndersE (edited by AndersE 2014-11-20 20:55:46)

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

The first ABS+PC i tried to make filament from was old Playstation 2 cases, that did not go so well. But i will try it again soon, now that i know more about extrusion.
And not soluble with acetone.

PS1 cases is pure ABS so that was like extruding usual ABS pellets.

Most of the first ABS stuff i printed was from grinded PS1's wink

Since then i have saved every piece of plastic from TV's, old printers etc.. to have some to experiment on.
Good ABS came also from old HP printers (pure ABS)
TV cases (new) are mostly PC+ABS.

Pure transparent PC filament (ordered from E3D) is a pain in the ass to print with (E3D V5 hotend). It warps a lot.

13 Reply by n2ri (edited by n2ri 2014-11-21 06:19:00)

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

polycarbonate is just plexiglass only brand name dif (plastic) may do fine for PLA but I wouldnt use it with ABS for print bed.

Lexan is a brand with a different blend and wont fade, yellow etc plus is more pliable and transfers light similar to plastic fiber optic rod giving off almost neon colors and is used to engrave lettering into and lit by the edge to make letters glow for signs also. some thick versions also used in bullet proof type glass applications and it costs lots more than plain plexiglass. not sure if it takes as much heat to melt as plexiglass though.

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14 Reply by elmoret

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

Um, they're talking about printing polycarbonate, not using it as a print bed.

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15 Reply by wardjr

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

n2ri wrote:

polycarbonate is just plexiglass only brand name dif (plastic) may do fine for PLA but I wouldnt use it with ABS for print bed.

Lexan is a brand with a different blend and wont fade, yellow etc plus is more pliable and transfers light similar to plastic fiber optic rod giving off almost neon colors and is used to engrave lettering into and lit by the edge to make letters glow for signs also. some thick versions also used in bullet proof type glass applications and it costs lots more than plain plexiglass. not sure if it takes as much heat to melt as plexiglass though.

Since it is off topic I would love to see a separate topic on engraving lettering into Lexan that light up using side lights.
Sounds as though you have experience doing this and I would love to learn more!!!  I could build a very cool enclosure for my SD3 So if you have done this please start a separate topic.

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16 Reply by n2ri (edited by n2ri 2014-11-21 19:29:03)

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

google lexan lit signs for images like this
http://www.signsalive.net/led-edge-lit-custom-signs.htm

imagine if you could print (without any separation that would make stray light) a vase then engrave frosted designs in it and sit it on an illumination base (saw a small square base on thingiverse)

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

17 Reply by IronMan

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

This looks very cool!  May need to look into a CNC mill!

But the website says these signs are Acrylic, not Lexan...

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18 Reply by n2ri

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

well they wont give away trade secrets. but public TV channel had an hour long epesode on it long ago. also many suppliers of Lexan products sell strips, rods etc also in different shades of transparent colors just for such uses. I have only seen some acrylics that do similar effects but not as bright of colors or as many choices. I have also done lots of relief carving in acrylics making tiny scale items like an N scale fish aquarium, ovens with Turkey on shelf inside, lamps, opened refrigerators with lit contents. some get painted details but all have fiber optic edge lighting and not other materials used in them. I will make a new topic with some pics soon on this style 3D craft. though its not using 3D printers

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

19 Reply by wardjr

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

Perfect that's why there's a general discussion area.

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20 Reply by n2ri

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

started Topic just gotta work on pics of my work in some of the formats.
http://www.soliforum.com/post/72645/#p72645

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

21 Reply by Ggalisky

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Re: [Polycarbonate] - *Sabic Lexan 143R PC*

Just a general warning, be very cautious with printing or extruding Polycarbonate, since of the off gas. Its never worth it to compromise your health just for a 3d print.

Ulitmaker 2, a few repraps, Custom Big FFF 3D printer with heated chamber.

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