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Hello guys,

I am currently searching for a new 3D printer. By following the guide results I have found many nice options (makergear, ultimaker, etc)

Usually the printers show that they can print ABS and PLA but what about the types of PLA. For example, are they able to print Iron PLA, Carbon Fiber PLA, Stainless Steel P, or only the ones they sell in their wepages?

I have checked that the “Type A machines Series 1” shows that they can print in many different PLA materials (SolidState2.0)

My question is, is it possible to print these types of material using the top list 3D printers? (makergear,etc…)

Looking forward to your answer!!!

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Hi,

in terms of temperature the printers that can print normal PLA are capable of the PLA blends. The only issues that you can have are the following:

1) Clogging with certain metals:

If your printer has a small PTFE (teflon) tube inside the hot end there is the chance, that certain metals will bond to this and clogg your printer.

At the moment i only know, that this happens with Colorfabb’s Copperfill and it allready cost me a hot tube (20€) to find out, so really get informations about the material before printing, as best you contact the producer. The reason, why metal filaments can stick to the tube is, that metal transfers heat better then plastic, meaning, that the heat gets up the filament line that will most likely go past a PTFE tube. If the extruder has a cooling section like the e3d hotends that also has a fan mount you can be pretty sure, that you won’t have this problem.

2) Abrassive Materials:

Carbon Fibres are abrassive. This means, that softer metals like brass (which is usually used for nozzles) will get “sanded” away in the long run.

This means, that you have to buy a new nozzle after having printed ~500g (value can vary, depending on printer and settings). The solution to this is, to get some stainless steel nozzles. Stainless steel is hard enough and will sustain printing very much more material before replacement is required. However stainless steel doesn’t tranfer heat that well so you have to print slower/hotter.

I don’t know how much you want to spend for your printer, but you should definitely try to get a printer with an “all-metal hotend” (contact the company just to be on the safe site regarding the PTFE tube). Also check the replacement parts section to find other nozzles.

I’d recommend a lulzbot TAZ mini, it can print nearly everything.

I hope this helps,

Marius

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Hi Marius,

Thank you very much for the information! it was really useful and very well explained!

My budget is from 1000-3000e … I will have that one mind and check my options for a printer. I need something with high durability meaning that I could mass print if needed so Let’s see

Thanks again for your help!!!

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I guess e means €,

then you might concider the leapfrog Creatr HS for quick mass production. It is limited in temerature a little bit more then for example the TAZ but it is very quick and has less vibrations (light weight printhead) which results in cleaner prints.

Otherwise go for the Ultimaker printers or Mendel/Prusa models. If you need very big quanitities of prints then you might concider getting two cheaper printers instead of one very good.

I have a Creatr HS if you want example prints contact me via my hub:

https://www.3dhubs.com/siegen/hubs/marius