Dive into the exciting realm of 3D printing with our comprehensive guide on using Siraya Tech TPU 85A filament with Bambu Lab's X1 and P1 series printers. This blog post is tailored for both experienced 3D printing aficionados and newcomers, offering insightful tips to achieve consistently stable and high-quality prints.
Printer Compatibility
This guide centers on the Bambu Lab X1 series (X1, X1C) and P1 series (P1P, P1S). Renowned for their adaptability and effectiveness, these models share a common extrusion system, ensuring that our advice is applicable to each printer in the series.
Printing Flex TPU with Bambu X1 FDM printer VS Printing with other brand printer
Please pay special attention to the "Filament Feeding Process" section as TPU is a lot more flexible than PLA and require special feeding consideration.
Advantages of Siraya Tech TPU 85A
Siraya Tech TPU 85A stands out in the 3D printing world for its remarkable flexibility, robustness, and user-friendly printing process. Ideal for crafting items needing elasticity, like phone cases, gaskets, or wearables, it also boasts higher flow rates than typical TPU 85A, allowing for increased printing speeds without sacrificing flexibility.
Filament Feeding Process
Printing with Siraya Tech TPU 85A on Bambu Lab printers involves a specialized filament feeding technique for optimal results:
1. Open the Top Cover: Begin by opening the printer's top cover.
2. Remove one end the PTFE Tube: Gently remove the PTFE tube from the extruder but not from the back of the printer. This crucial step ensures direct filament feeding into the extruder, reducing bending and friction. At the same time, the other hand of the PTFE tube will help prevent filament getting caught.
This is a video on how to prevent filament from getting stuck.
Here is a picture:
3. Feed the Filament: Directly insert the TPU filament into the extruder. Make sure it feeds smoothly for a seamless print.
Maintaining Dryness of TPU Filaments
TPU filaments like Flex TPU 85A are highly susceptible to moisture, which can deteriorate print quality. Proper moisture management is essential.
Storage: Always store Flex TPU 85A in the provided moisture-resistant aluminum bags when not in active use. For extended storage, a dry box with desiccant is recommended to keep humidity levels below 15%.
Drying Filament: If you suspect the filament has absorbed moisture, dry it at temperatures ranging from 50°C to 65°C for 4-6 hours, using a filament dryer or an oven.
During printing, it's vital to shield TPU filament from moisture, especially over extended print durations. Use a dry box and, for optimal filament feeding, position the dry box closer to the printer's height rather than at table level. This minimizes filament tension and facilitates smoother extrusion.
Printing Parameters
For successful Siraya Tech TPU 85A prints, use the Generic TPU Profile provided by Bambu Studio. This profile is tested and verified for stable, high-quality results.
Key settings include:
- Temperature Settings: Optimal temperature is vital for TPU printing. Set both the extruder and bed temperatures as recommended in the Generic TPU Profile. Our tests found 220C to be effective, as shown in these images.
- Print Speed: Slower speeds are preferable for TPU. Align print speed settings with the profile's suggestions to ensure even extrusion and strong layer bonds. Conduct a maximum flow rate test and utilize the Bambu Studio's Generic TPU Profile for potentially faster print speeds.
- Retraction Settings: Due to TPU's higher flexibility compared to PLA or ABS, adjust retraction settings to prevent stringing. The Generic TPU Profile from Bambu Studio is again effective here.
Conclusion
Embarking on a Siraya Tech TPU 85A printing journey with Bambu Lab's X1 and P1 series printers is both fulfilling and exciting. Adhering to these guidelines and using the Generic TPU Profile ensures not only high-quality prints but also the opportunity to fully explore the filament's distinct characteristics. Remember, the key to successful 3D printing lies in accuracy and patience. Enjoy your printing adventures!
For additional tips, techniques, and insights into 3D printing, make sure to subscribe to our blog. Also, explore our extensive selection of Siraya Tech filaments and resins for your upcoming projects!
3 comments
Rick Vogel
You say to use the Bambu lab generic TPU profile, but the temperature is 240 in that profile, not 220!
Paul Poindexter
We went ahead and ordered a spool to add to the testing. So far our test includes Bambu 95A TPU, Fiberlogy Fiberflex40D, Overture HS TPU, Ninjatek Ninjaflex85A and Cheetah95A and now the Sirayaflex85A.
Initial testing of the 95A’s proved to be a little too stiff for the application.
Prior to getting the Sirayaflex, The Ninjaflex was hands down the most flexible material tested but prints very slow. On the BambuX1C we reached 4.75mm/3 with a .8mm hot end @ .24mmLH.
The Sirayaflex tested very well to our surprise and is now our favorite. It prints very well with almost zero stringing and at amazing speeds compared. It’s not quite as springy/flexable as the Ninjaflex but extremely close. I would say their TDS data was spot on comparing the two. 580 vs 660 on the ninja @elongation at break.
We were able to achieve 15.5mm/3 with a .8mm hot end producing speeds up to 85mm/s with the .8mm tip @ .24mmLH.
There is nothing on the market that we have tested with that comes close to this in the 85A equivalent. Very pleased!
Paul Poindexter
If you tested with the Bambu, Why not say what speeds you were able to achieve?
I am a manufacturer and we are currently testing 7-8 different brands of TPU for a new product. Giving better start parameters is highly beneficial when it comes to TPU as they all can be really different between what each one runs at on the same machine. We run the Bambu X1’s.