We hosted the first of our 3 special filament workshops in collaboration with @ in NYC. It was an intimate setting with tickets and sample packs limited to 30 people for the evening, which allowed for some good discussions especially when we got to post-processing and how to finish off your prints. If you haven’t yet seen the video Alex (of Proto-pasta) has made you should check it out: Polishing Stainless Steel Prints.
Sample packs, included 150g of Stainless Steel PLA & 150g of Carbon Fiber and @ydg54ymail took us through some tips, tricks and best practices for printing with these super cool exotic filaments. The presentation is attached below
A few of our terrific New York regulars, including @Chris_19 have quite a bit of experience printing with the CF, so could offer the rest of us advice based on their experience. The Stainless Steel was, however, unchartered territory so we all left excited to test the new filament, share our experiences and eager to see how everyone else’s prints turned out.
This is a super cool Stainless Steel print by @Kari_nyc. Would you share your process and tips with us please Kari? It would be awesome to know what machine your printing on, your settings and what you used for polishing.
Have you printed with your Proto-pasta Carbon Fiber or Stainless Steel PLA yet? We’d love to see your prints so please share them with the rest of us here.
The print is awesome, congrats! If at any time you wish to share some of your prints and best practices on using the Proto-Pasta filament, please make sure to do it here. There are many people struggling with it, so adding your insights and some cool projects would certainly motivate the community. Cheers
Thanks! The first thing I think is keeping the print slow (45mm/min) and 200 C. Default PLA settings seem to work especially the simplify 3D settings.
Also I think holding the filament samples is a challenge. If you have a spool holder that can handle coils of filament it helps. There’s a great one that can be found on Thingiverse.
Carbon Fiber! Yeh, I realize that, but can’t help thinking some CF completely round - John Lennon-esque - shades will be the answer to my summer. Do you think unwise do to them as a solid print?
Can’t wait to see your photos!
As long as you don’t sit on them or need to put them in a case you should be fine! Here is the prototype. This was with an experimental ABS setting. I’m going to tighten up the model and settings and put it through its pace tonight.
This is awesome, Michael! What else have you tried printing with it? Didn’t get a chance to play with the material yet, but i’m very intrigued. How easy is it to print with it really and how much stress does it place on your printer? Cheers
@jiangchao Fun, might want to do a clear coat or put something between your skin and the CFPLA. Depending on how sensitive you are, it can get a little itchy…Great work! Keep it up!!!
Thanks! it hasn’t really stressed my printer at all though i’ve only gone through a sample pack’s worth. It was very easy to print with and used all the standard settings. Some tweaking may be needed for certain geometric conditions, but this largely did not affect print quality.
I have printed a few implant models for work using it, and these are meant to be show-pieces for investors. I haven’t polished them successfully yet but I hope to get better at that with practice.
The Hoboken MakerBar would love to have them! we are actually hosting the MarkForged printer tomorrow, and have hosted a few other companies including SeeMeCNC. @, let me know if you are interested!
@Gianmi Glad you found Proto-pasta so easy to print! Ease of print with standard settings is a requirement at the top of our list So to be hosted, do we have to physically visit NJ? I’m not again it, but that’s a long way for us West Coasters
Still no itch after 2 weeks of wearing them straight. Gotta say they’re actually quite comfortable. I’ll try a few more iterations. If anyone needs makergear m2 settings let me know.
That would be awesome, @jiangchao! Why don’t you start a separate thread with details on how to print your own pair of glasses, from your experience? Make sure to share the design file as well, so people can immediately start working on them
@jiangchao Great news! You should try some stainless steel temples. You could create some great contrast with unfinished, brushed, or polished steel to contrast the carbon. Also, the added weight might keep the frames COG back towards your ears so they are less likely to fall off when leaning over? Just a thought…can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!
