Makerbot Flexible Filament in the Replicator 2

[Dave M]

I decided to try out the insanely-expensive MBI flexible filament, thinking that it would just work perfectly out of the wrapper.  I was wrong.  Has anyone else here tried it using the recommended MBI settings, i.e. 100C, 10% fill, 45 mm/s?  I can't get past the outline of the first layer without the filament failing to feed through.

[Dave M]

I've been increasing the temp by 5C, finally up to 150C and it seems to be printing.  I'm not sure if that's okay or not.  I need to look for the MSDS or something to find out if I'm going to end up breathing something nasty...

[mfitz73]

okay wow! I thought it wouldnt work with Replicator2

[Ryan Carlyle]

Wait, 100C? That can't be right.

[John B]

+1 Ryan...that has to be a typo, you could run 2 boy scouts together and generate more heat than that!

 I use a local (Australia) flexible  filament and print it at the same temp, 215c, as I do PLA, works a treat. I use it to make grommets to mount perspex panels.

[Dave M]

(Sorry Bruce, I accidentally replied only to you via email)

Agreed, but I just cut-and-pasted this from their website, plus MakerWare autosets default values and has it at 100C.

Temperatures

Glass Temp

~60° C (~140° F)

Melting Temp

58-60° C (136.4-140° F)

Nozzle Temp

100° C (212° F)

I'll just stick with 150C since it's the lowest temp that seems to work well, and I'll just leave the windows in my office open.  :)

[Joseph Chiu]

Based on the little bits of data that I have, that filament should be PCL, in which case, it should begin to flow around 60C or so.   100C should be okay for extruding, but hotter does not.

Cut off a piece of filament and put it in  very hot water (60C or higher) for a few minutes. If it turns clear, it is PCL.  (We sell PCL pellets at ToyBuilderLabs.com but, sadly, not fillament.)  It might be possible that someone returned the filament doing a switcharoo...

[Dan Newman]

> It might be possible that someone returned the filament doing a switcharoo...

Switcharoo??? Oh, you mean they kept the parrot? Dirty rotten scoundrels!

Dan

[Ryan Carlyle]

<sarcasm> Oh yeah, polycaprolactone, why didn't I guess that immediately?! </sarcasm> 

I actually have some of the pellets of that on hand, now that I think about it.

In theory it ought to print around 100C. If it actually is proper PCL filament, then my guess is your nozzle still has a lot of PLA in it which is choking the flow. But I've never tried the stuff.