3D Printing using Flexible Filament

[The Novice EngineerParticipant @thenoviceengineer]

I'm looking at making some Lens covers [ for Camera and Telescope Lenses ] has anyone got any advice and experience of using Flexible filament.

Here is an example of the type of cap

**LINK**

Any recommendations on manufacturers of good [ and duff] filaments would also be welcome

My 3D printer is a Leapfrog Creatr.

Thanks

Steve

[The Novice EngineerParticipant @thenoviceengineer]

Practical advice and experience of using Flexible filament

[Andy CarruthersParticipant @andycarruthers33275]

I am having problems with FFF world FlexiSMART, very soft filament which requires modification to the extruder (on my ToDo list) to reduce the pinch wheel gear diameter to provide better grip

Try TPU and see how you get on

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

I've successfully used NinjaFlex in our Ultimaker.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I've used 'no-name' flexible PLA with success.

Using a Mk. 8 extruder the 'secret' is to fit a filler block with a hole in it to bridge the gap between the pinch roller and the top of the heatbrake tube.

A benefit of such a block is that it allows you to change filaments by pushing the old filament out with the new instead of having to clear the nozzle.

Neil

[The Novice EngineerParticipant @thenoviceengineer]

UPDATE

I found the information here from Madhackers very useful

https://www.matterhackers.com/news/how-to-succeed-when-printing-with-flexible-filament

or use this **LINK**

I bought some Priline TPU filament from Amazon and spent a few hours finding the best setting printing a variety of 20mm cubes.

The the standard Leapfrog Creatr feed mechanism seems to be able to feed the flexible filament OK so far.

I created a profile for the Filament that had a higher temp than PLA [240 C] and increased the Extrusion multiplier to 1.15.

The setting for the Print profile was created using a much lower speed setting , Max speed 30mm/sec down to 10 mm/sec.

There is probably scope for tweeking as I print different projects.

Steve

[Author]

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