NinjaFlex Profile on UM2+

[sfeldman 1]

I have been using NinjaFlex for the past few weeks and have been fidgeting with the settings and found some pretty decent ones. I have not been able to find good profile recommendations so please post what you are using to compare. I am using a stock UM2+ with a universal filament filter to keep the NinjaFlex oiled as it enters the tube. Retraction settings turned off. UM2+ completely enclosed. Blue Painters Tape to ensure plate adhesion.

Cura 2.5.0:

Nozzle: 0.4mm

Layer Height: 0.2mm

Initial Layer Height: 0.3mm

Wall Thickness: 0.8mm

Top/Bottom Thickness: 0.8mm

Print Speed: 30mm/s

Infill Speed: 30mm/s

Top/Bottom Speed: 30mm/s

Travel Speed: 115mm/s

Initial Layer Speed: 30mm/s

Fan Speed: 60%

Regular Fan Speed: 35%

Initial Fan Speed: 0%

Ultimaker 2+:

Temperature: 240C

BuildPlate Temp: 45C

Material Flow: 110%

[luukakkerman 0]

Hi future readers,

Good settings. Used them to refresh my memory after a year of not printing NinjaFlex.
Another tip:

** Buy Yourself A PTFE Bowden Tube **

On my UM2+ I have printed NinjaFlex with mixed results a year ago.
Last week I used it again for a new project and had difficulties finding the right settings. Adding 5-10% flow is essential but also on high temp and freshly cleaning (atomic pull) nozzle worked well 1 print, failed the next one etc. Under extrusion from the start or suddenly after quite some layers. With the clean nozzle the only problem could be the feeding. Cleaning the feeder and fresh undented NinjaFlex filament didnt fix it.

So I expected the flex filament being spaghetti in the non-PTFE Ultimaker bowden tube would cause too much friction at those under-extrusion moment. And indeed, sometimes the filament looked to be pushed fairly straight, but often when under good pressure it curled in S-shape/zig-zag like way as the UM bowden inside dimater is larger than the 2.85-3mm filaments.

I read good stories about the lower friction of PTFE tubes. Bought one (from the RepRap guys here in The Netherlands) and after install print was just fine. You also really feel the different in friction when you compare by feeding filaments through both.
The one I bought from RepRap also has a smaller inside diameter I noticed, leaving less room for heavy zig-zag'ing which I think causes the heaviest friction.

Buy yourself one if you have trouble. You need 73cm, they often are sold per 10cm.
Only downside, they are not fully transparent. Translucent to almost solid white. If you really like to see your filament moving or spot dirt in your tube this might be a disadvantage. If not, nothing to loose here.

Good luck guys