what's the deal with 2.85mm vs. 3mm?

[gothampixel 10]

I stopped by the Inside 3D Printing Conference today in NYC and was talking with the guys from Ninja Flex. They sell a very flexible filament in both 1.75mm and 3mm sizes. I asked if their 3mm size was true 3mm or 2.85mm with a tolerance up to 3mm. They said they never heard of the 2.85mm standard and as far as they know their filament is true 3mm. How common is 2.85 and is it going to be supported by filament makers going forward?

 

[gr5 1,249]

90% of filament that claims it is 3mm is actually 2.85mm or 2.9mm. The remaining 10% that are truly at 3.00mm are a problem for the UM and can't be used. Don't even try it. Most of these manufacturers get enough feedback that within a few years they figure out that they should be making slightly smaller filament.

Just because an employee doesn't know about this, doesn't mean the company itself is also ignorant about this.

 

[gothampixel 10]

That's why I was confused, this was a filament manufacturing company's booth at a 3D printing conference and expo. His response to my question was "our filament is 3mm, I have never heard of 2.85mm" I guess they are part of the 10%

Thanks,

 

[gr5 1,249]

Was he a booth babe?