Can you print with 3mm material?

[Jbuck 0]

I cant seem to get a straight answer on if you can print with 3mm material? I would like to know if you can use other brands of 3mm for proof of concept printing before using the standard 2.85  brand name material? Is so are there settings or modification that are needed or is it such a small difference that you just load and go? Thank you for any help you are able to offer. 

[gr5 2,235]

99% of 3mm filament isn't 3mm.  It's actually 2.95 or 2.85 or 2.9.  3mm is too big for the bowden on the S5.  It will occasionally get stuck when it gets up to 3.05mm or 3.1mm.  But 2.95 filament +/- .05mm is fine.

 

So you should be fine with "3mm" filament as long as it isn't actually more than 3mm.  I don't think anyone makes 3mm filament anymore.  There was one large chinese company selling that but it clogged in all the printers so they eventually realized to make it at a slightly smaller size.

 

You could mess with the flow if it's truly 2.9mm.  The flow should be reduced by a factor of (2.85/2.9)^2 but really it's too small to matter much.

[Dustin 160]

Additional, from what I have seen (at least in the USA)
Most materials marketed as "3mm" is actually just 2.85mm 

[Jbuck 0]

17 hours ago, gr5 said:

99% of 3mm filament isn't 3mm.  It's actually 2.95 or 2.85 or 2.9.  3mm is too big for the bowden on the S5.  It will occasionally get stuck when it gets up to 3.05mm or 3.1mm.  But 2.95 filament +/- .05mm is fine.

 

So you should be fine with "3mm" filament as long as it isn't actually more than 3mm.  I don't think anyone makes 3mm filament anymore.  There was one large chinese company selling that but it clogged in all the printers so they eventually realized to make it at a slightly smaller size.

 

You could mess with the flow if it's truly 2.9mm.  The flow should be reduced by a factor of (2.85/2.9)^2 but really it's too small to matter much.

 

Thank you for the reply. So sounds like i should be good to go then? I am running a S5 ultiamaker and wanted to try the hatchbox 3mm tough pla. Have you ran this with success before? I am still learning the machine and everything and don't want to make more work for myself by getting material stuck in there. 

[Slashee_the_Cow 438]

Just remember that 3D printing is not a field in which most people should follow my rules of life.

 

Rule #7: Anything will fit anywhere if you apply enough pressure.

 

I don't know what sort of tubing comes with the Ultimaker so I would just make sure that's wide enough first.

[gr5 2,235]

Okay so I was wrong.  Someone does still sell 3mm filament.  They must be idiots.  I'd stay away from them.  It says 3.00 +/- .03mm.  It might work.  It might not.  If it hits 3.05mm I think it might get stuck in your bowden.

 

Sounds like you are looking on amazon so try this search on amazon:

tough pla 2.85mm

 

It will get you some cheap pla.