Tips for TPU?
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I just did my very first TPU print after years of printing PLA and PETG, and I've gotta say: That stuff sticks like a mofo on the textured PEI plate..!!
The print turned out great and the default profile in BS needed very little tweaking.
I'm currently using Fiberology MattFlex 40D.What do you guys use to ease the removal?
I've seen normal glue sticks, IPA and liquid glue made for 3D printing, but I figured it would be cool to ask the fine people here.If you do use glue: Do you stick with a smooth PEI or maybe something else?
All feedback is appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Turn off the heat on the hotbed. TPU doesn't need it, and it makes removal much easier if you don't heat the hotbed.
Also reduces the amount the printer heats your room by 90% or so.
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Turn off the heat on the hotbed. TPU doesn't need it, and it makes removal much easier if you don't heat the hotbed.
Also reduces the amount the printer heats your room by 90% or so.
I was already running at 30°C, but appreciate the advice nonetheless!
I'll try completely off next time -
I just did my very first TPU print after years of printing PLA and PETG, and I've gotta say: That stuff sticks like a mofo on the textured PEI plate..!!
The print turned out great and the default profile in BS needed very little tweaking.
I'm currently using Fiberology MattFlex 40D.What do you guys use to ease the removal?
I've seen normal glue sticks, IPA and liquid glue made for 3D printing, but I figured it would be cool to ask the fine people here.If you do use glue: Do you stick with a smooth PEI or maybe something else?
All feedback is appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Never tried it myself, but "functional print Friday" channel on YouTube uses IPA after printing with slow steady prying to remove stuck tpu. The IPA wicks under the print and releases it.
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I've got a textured PEI bed and when I've printed TPU, the adhesion has been perfect, i.e. good enough that the part wasn't going to go anywhere unless I wanted it to, but still easy enough to remove when the print was done and the bed had cooled. I guess it could vary from filament brand to brand, so it's possibly worth trying the same brand as I used, which was cheap Geeetech stuff. It's £8 a roll, and I've used their cheap PLA for ages. I wouldn't recommend their ABS+, though, as it seems to break down at the lowest temperature that gives reasonable layer adhesion.
Yeah you're probably right. Different blends give different results.
Thanks for the filament advice. I try to purchase as locally as possible, but Geeetech is not etched into memory as a no-buy ABS!
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I've never had too much trouble removing TPU from a textured PEI plate. If the part doesn't want to come off, lift up a corner of the part with a knife and put a drop of IPA under it.
I need to make a spray bottle and have it by the printer, as IPA comes up quite often, although with varying results.
Worth a shot! -
I use a bit of glue and try to remove it when it's still warm but not hot.
Zero issues so far.Thanks for the advice!
I ran a cold bed this time, but I've seen some say warming it up for removal also works.So many things to test in the future!
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Never tried it myself, but "functional print Friday" channel on YouTube uses IPA after printing with slow steady prying to remove stuck tpu. The IPA wicks under the print and releases it.
IPA is on the list of things to test. Cheers mate!
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I just did my very first TPU print after years of printing PLA and PETG, and I've gotta say: That stuff sticks like a mofo on the textured PEI plate..!!
The print turned out great and the default profile in BS needed very little tweaking.
I'm currently using Fiberology MattFlex 40D.What do you guys use to ease the removal?
I've seen normal glue sticks, IPA and liquid glue made for 3D printing, but I figured it would be cool to ask the fine people here.If you do use glue: Do you stick with a smooth PEI or maybe something else?
All feedback is appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
In my experience, TPU benefits from a higher first layer - it prefers being just "deposited" by the nozzle instead of slightly squished like for PLA and PETG. You can try raising your Z adjustment by 0.02 - 0.05mm and see if that makes it easier to remove.
If you work with transparent TPU and don't want it to turn white, print slow and cold.
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In my experience, TPU benefits from a higher first layer - it prefers being just "deposited" by the nozzle instead of slightly squished like for PLA and PETG. You can try raising your Z adjustment by 0.02 - 0.05mm and see if that makes it easier to remove.
If you work with transparent TPU and don't want it to turn white, print slow and cold.
Thanks for the advice! I might try a small Z-offset for first layer