1 Topic by montressor

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Topic: Taulman PCTPE

Anyone tried Taulman PCTPE in a DaVinci with stock heads? I want to print some flexible materials, but looking at what's involved in modding the printer, decided I'd rather just build a Kossel Mini instead.

However, I ran across Taulman PCTPE (http://3dprint.com/30901/taulman3d-pctpe/), which states:

  • Prints on both bowdens and direct drive extruders.

  • Prints at 230C, and is compatible with most other ABS print settings.

  • Provides super layer to layer bonding which allows for single perimeter walls to be folded along thread axes without any separation.

  • Incredible texture, similar to that of nylon, making it perfect for 3D printing wearable objects.

Which seems like a perfect fit for my DaVinci Duo. I'm a little leery after having spent a week unclogging one of my heads from my last "experiment", but I'm about to order a roll, wanted to see if anyone had positive/negative experiences.

Davinci Duo, Repetier 0.92, OctoPi

2 Reply by montressor

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Re: Taulman PCTPE

Ordered a roll, will take the plunge and try it and report results. Worst case is another few days of disassembling and cleaning the hotend, right?

Davinci Duo, Repetier 0.92, OctoPi

3 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Taulman PCTPE

montressor wrote:

Ordered a roll, will take the plunge and try it and report results. Worst case is another few days of disassembling and cleaning the hotend, right?


Just a word of caution to you guys that want to experiment. Be very aware of what it takes to dissolve the material you are using in case you do have a jam. For example we all know the Acetone works well for ABS. However it will not even dent PLA. For PLA you have to use Tetrahydrofuran and it is a very hazardous chemical. I am not even sure what dissolves Polycarbonate so just make sure you know what you need and if you want to mess with it. The exotic filaments that have wood and other fillers do present certain problems. They are very abrasive and will wear you nozzle down. The particles that create the wood, or metal are also not tightly controlled and if you print with an E3D and .2 nozzle you run a high risk of it getting clogged by the particles. So just be careful and mindful.

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4 Reply by montressor

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Re: Taulman PCTPE

carl_m1968 wrote:
montressor wrote:

Ordered a roll, will take the plunge and try it and report results. Worst case is another few days of disassembling and cleaning the hotend, right?


Just a word of caution to you guys that want to experiment. Be very aware of what it takes to dissolve the material you are using in case you do have a jam. For example we all know the Acetone works well for ABS. However it will not even dent PLA. For PLA you have to use Tetrahydrofuran and it is a very hazardous chemical. I am not even sure what dissolves Polycarbonate so just make sure you know what you need and if you want to mess with it. The exotic filaments that have wood and other fillers do present certain problems. They are very abrasive and will wear you nozzle down. The particles that create the wood, or metal are also not tightly controlled and if you print with an E3D and .2 nozzle you run a high risk of it getting clogged by the particles. So just be careful and mindful.

Fair point and thanks for heads up. Having read your previous warning on this subject, and having read a bit about PLA solvent online I decided to instead go the heat route and use a butane torch to cook out the jam in the head.

Not certain what the PCTPE reaction to heat would be - I'm just assuming I can use the same approach (remove heater/thermistor, heat until clear) with any jams here.

I'm not ready to try anything PLA-based again - seems like PLA requires a lot more in terms of mods to be successful with and the cleanup is a PITA.

Davinci Duo, Repetier 0.92, OctoPi

5 Reply by montressor

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Re: Taulman PCTPE

My Taulman PCTPE test was a total success for me. Printed without a hitch, dialing in is much like any other ABS filament. Printed at 210c, bed at 90c, 0.2mm layers, 30mm/sec speeds. Filament is much like nylon, very slightly stretchy, semi-clear color. At normal thickness/infill, it shows slight flex if significant force is put on it. Objects printed with one or two layers show great flexibility and solid layer adhesion. On my print settings there was some minor stringing, but it didn't result in any clogging or impact the print in any significant way. My longest print has been about 45 mins so far. It's about twice as expensive as regular filament and comes on what I can only describe as a mini-roll, which is kind of a pain - had to hack together a spool for it. While the filament appears to only be currently available in a semi-clear white, it apparently can be easily dyed using RIT fabric dyes - I'll be trying that myself.

Images attached:

Thin box - 2 shells at 0.2mm, shows some stringing but easy cleanup (haven't messed with retraction), additional image showing how flexible material is at this thickness

Deprime Test - shows clumping due to temp needing adjustment. Block is quite solid but with a little more flex than ABS (green ABS deprime test shown for comparison)

Thick Box - walls and base are about 4mm thick. Object has slight flex if significant pressure is applied

Roll - roll size with "normal" size roll shown for comparison

Filament - this is what the filament itself looks like

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6 Reply by montressor (edited by montressor 2015-02-07 22:33:14)

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Re: Taulman PCTPE

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