3D printing

Application of PTFE tape

APPLICATION OF PTFE TAPE TO SEAL THE THREADED JOINT IN 3D PRINTING

Hi,

In today's post, I would like to describe you a simple but effective solution to the problem arising during 3D printing.

Recently, I wrote to you about replacing the extruder with a new one. Then a lot of printing errors arose, which I solved on an ongoing basis. However, there was one more that I had to fight a bit with. It was the flow of filament on the thread connecting HotEnd with the heat sink and on the nozzle. This is a big problem because when too much material is released it breaks off. As a result, it stuck to the printout. It damaged it.

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The problem was caused by the wrong connection of the plane, two elements (the threaded tube connecting the hotend with the heat sink and the printing head. And due to the slack in the threads in the hotend. During printing, the material flows through the printing nozzles to some extent, but the remaining amount should remain tightly in the system. On the other hand, as a result of backlash, these three elements are joined together.
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I have searched for several solutions to this print error. I tried to twist the elements together harder. But it didn't do anything. Then I polished the contact planes so that they fit together better. However, in home conditions, it is very difficult to plan these surfaces for perfect contact. So I decided to seal the thread with PTFE tape. It is most often used to seal threaded connections in hydraulics. These tapes are used up to 260 ° C as this is the softening point of the PTFE material. However, when we print PLA, the working temperature is within the range 185 ° C to 225 ° C. We can safely use this tape.
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Thanks to the sealing of the thread with the tape, I got rid of the problem with the material flowing out of the thread. This is obviously a good way to print PLA material. and others with a low operating temperature below 260 ° C.





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Advantages:
- thread sealing,
- Eliminating the problem of material flowing out,
- Improving the quality of prints (Unnecessary filament does not stick)
DISADVANTAGES:
- In my opinion it is missing 🙂
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