Printing ASA on an Ender 3 V2

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Chris Collucci

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Oct 13, 2022, 7:09:05 AM10/13/22
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I've been printing with OK results for almost 2 years and want to try printing with ASA.  I've already made a few PETG parts with mild warping at the corners, I used masking tape longer prints.  My Ender is mostly stock except for the metal extruder, capricorn tube, .8 nozzle, and jyers firmware.  I also plan on getting an enclosure when I get the ASA.

Since ASA prints at a higher temp would the stock hot end be good enough and is there a preferred brand of ASA?

Edward Simpson

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Oct 13, 2022, 12:38:03 PM10/13/22
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If you're going with ASA or anything that prints at over 250C, I'd recommend upgrading the hot-end to full-metal at minimum, PTFE degrades into toxic gasses over that temperature, even the Capricorn stuff will degrade quickly above that point.

Chris Collucci

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Oct 13, 2022, 12:47:23 PM10/13/22
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Thanks, the ASA I found on amazon is polymaker which suggests a printing temp of 240 to 260.  So it seems borderline if I'll really need the all metal hot end, also, does the all metal hot end mean direct drive as well?



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Edward Simpson

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Oct 13, 2022, 12:56:35 PM10/13/22
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You'd probably be able to run some shorter prints with the stock hot-end, enough for basic testing but I can't recommend it long-term. 'Full-metal' just means that the hot-end has a metal heat-break so the PTFE tubing stops inside the heat-sink and not the heater block, there's a few upgrade kits kicking around that are just that specific part to refit the stock hot-end, https://www.amazon.ca/Heatbreak-Titanium-Temperature-Creality-Competent/dp/B0B5T14VYD/, is one example, there's a bunch of other ones including fully assembled options depending on your comfort level with things.
Direct drive is the alternate setup for the extruder motor, that's more of a partial rebuild to install and not needed unless you're going for high-speeds or soft flexible filaments.

Edward Simpson

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Oct 14, 2022, 9:58:18 PM10/14/22
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And speaking of heat-breaks, CHEP just posted a video on this exact subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RWz4ey1wjw

Chris Collucci

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Jan 4, 2023, 7:47:08 PM1/4/23
to Edward Simpson, 3D Printing Tips and Tricks
I have an all metal hot end kit, zippered enclosure, and a spool of ASA.  But how bad is the smell or toxins coming out of it?  

Is the enclosure enough or should I also vent it out a window?

Edward Simpson

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Jan 4, 2023, 7:55:24 PM1/4/23
to Chris Collucci, 3D Printing Tips and Tricks
Enclosure is a good start but you will want to vent outside or use a carbon filter & HEPA filter combination for prolonged use, styrene is nasty when heated.
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Edward Simpson
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