Welcoming in New Filaments for 2018

As a 3D printer company, we at M3D rang in the New Year a little different this year. We may have popped a bottle (or two) of champagne, but the real celebration was held over the new filament we’ve created. Many don’t think of filaments when they think of M3D. Beyond just 3D printers, M3D has been creating a wide-range of open-source filament since 2012 which currently includes PLA, Tough (a flexible option), ABS-R (similar to PET-G) and Carbon Fiber. Available in over 50 colors, our high quality filament has proprietary material makeups resulting in optimal usage (adhesion, consistency, lifetime use, storage).

With printer technology and capabilities improving, filament properties must follow suit so we’re excited to expand our filaments to include the following new filaments:

General Purpose Printing

ABS-R3

• ABS-R3 is a new addition to our current ABS-R offering. Both filaments print with better bed adhesion and lack the off gassing odor normally experienced with the standard marketplace options. Where ABSR-3 stands out is its flexible properties that reduce warping while showing even greater improvement in bed and layer adhesion compared to standard options.
• Print Temps: 225-245° C

ASA

• For printing parts that will be used outdoors or in industrial applications, ASA’s UV and chemical resistant properties are a must.  ASA has comparable physical properties to ABS (somewhat ductile, high wear and heat resistance) but with an increased density. ASA will need a heated bed at a minimum, however, it is recommended that ASA be printed in a heated chamber with your nozzle fans turned down, as well, to avoid cracking between layers.
• Print Temps: 240-260° C

Tough 115A

• Tough 115A is a new formulation of our Tough filament. Tough and Tough 115A are both elastic, resistant to compression loading and, therefore, durable. The new 115A formulation reflects its Shore A hardness. So, while more rigid than the original Tough, it retains its flexible properties. Both Tough and Tough 115A bond easily and have a high resistance to oils, greases and a variety of solvents, making the Tough line a fit for a variety of industrial applications.
• Print Temps: 235-255° C

POM

• Polyoxymethylene (POM) filament is also known as Acetal or Polyacetal and often used for mechanical parts such as gear wheels and ball bearings due to its high stiffness and resistance to wear, elasticity, chemicals and heat. M3D’s POM has improved printability and smoothness without impacting friction characteristics. It is best to keep POM away from moisture and kept in an airtight container with a desiccant.
• Print Temps: 210-225° C

Support Material

With our new Promega shipping in 2018, it should be no surprise that we have also developed new support materials for use with dual extruding 3D printers:

PVA

• Water soluble support material that works well with PLA prints.  Most PVAs on the market need to be kept in storage containers with low or no humidity.  M3D’s PVA will be a bit more resistant than most to ambient exposure, but for optimal use, we recommend using a desiccant storage system with this filament.
• Print Temps: 175-195° C

Hybrid

PVB

• Isopropanol- or ethanol-soluble filament is commonly used as printing material that can be post-processed to remove layer lines. However, PVB can also be used as a support material and even as a standalone filament thanks to its strength and ability to reduce warping even without a printed bed. PVB’s advantage over PVA is that PVB can be stored in ambient conditions without much print quality loss. From M3D’s solution, expect more consistent and quality prints, that smooth with dunking or misting.
• Print Temps: 210-230° C

All of the above-mentioned filaments are available in 1.75mm, un-chipped, 250-ft spools at our store. As one of the few 3D printer companies creating their own filament line, we’re proud to be expanding our line and offering these additional solutions to more advanced printers. Especially with the new Promega 3D printer planning to ship soon, we’re looking forward to see what the Community creates with the properties of this new filament.

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