Printing NylonX with our 3D printers

[parsleyw]

Hello,

For my project, it would be handy to be able to 3D print very high-strength parts, and since other members might have this same desire, I figured I would see if one of our 3D printers could be used to print NylonX. NylonX is carbon fiber impregnated nylon filament sold by Matterhackers. It's a bit tricky to print with, however, and requires a couple of light modifications. Those being:

1. A hardened, all-metal hot end (the carbon fiber makes this filament abrasive, so a durable hot end is a must)

2. A glass or polypropylene bed

3. A lot of fiddling with settings

In addition, the printer must be able to get its extruder to ~260C and its bed to ~70C. As far as I know, these changes wouldn't impact the printer's usability for other filaments, but feel free to correct me.

I wanted to run these changes by the appropriate authorities, ask if there is a particular printer that should be used, and generally gather the thoughts of the other members.

Comments, questions, concerns?

Thanks,

-Parsley

[Jim Shepherd]

Hey.. resident 3d printing Facebook group admin and stack overflow 3d printing moderator here..

My first question is what are you working on where you feel the need for exotic materials? Do you know abs will not suit your needs?

The issue with exotics is usually off gassing. Ie poly carb filliment is known to release toxic fumes. How toxic is case by case (as even pla and especially abs are technically not good for ones health either with their fine air particulates)

Far as modification a simple e3d v6 (what I currently have on my ultimaker) can do high temp. Most print beds will be  borosilicate glass Wich softens at 800c. (Finding a high powered bed is a different issue) I had to change out just a thermal couple and have 24v electronics and I technically can do high temp printing. You can get wear resistant heads if the material is abrasive like bronze fill and such. 

The issue you will have is you will need to clean out the extruder after use. You can't print a 270cel material and then switch to pla at 180ish. It will just instantly clog. matterhackers should sell cleaning material in the form of filliment. I'd also be concerned with people messing up profiles or not changing materials. I don't know what plas flash point is but it would carbonize at the least. 

That said those are just points I want to bring up. I don't think it would be too hard to set up. I'd just looking off gassing more than anything. Though I'd be surprised if other materials like abs wouldn't work. 

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[parsleyw]

I'm making a combat robot! And anything going on a combat robot should be pretty robust. Essentially, ABS will suit my needs, but something with really high tensile strength and impact resistance is ideal.

Off-gassing is a good point. We have one printer which has an enclosed bed, but our others are open. I guess someone with more knowledge than me can chime in here, but it seems like we haven't been super concerned with it up until now and I don't think nylon gives off worse fumes than ABS or PLA. At least, the info page here doesn't mention anything about fumes.

I think a few of our printers will do high temps, so I guess I was just putting it out there to say "I'd like to do this, can I use one of our printers? Which one?" As far as wear-resistant heads, I've been looking around at a few of them and I figured I could get one and install it once I knew what I would be installing it in (maybe an E3D?).

We certainly would have to be careful after printing with this stuff. I suppose whoever printed with nylon (me) would have to change back to an ABS or PLA profile and run cleaning material through it. Which I trust myself to do, but whether or not those in charge of the space feel the same is up to them to decide.

Thanks for the advice and input!