Flexible 3D Printing Filaments Tested - Which Flex is Best?
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- Опубліковано 12 лип 2017
- There is LOADS of flexible 3D Printing filaments on the market today, all with different properties and features. In this video we'll put 6 different brands to the test.
Octopus model used in this video -
www.thingiverse.com/thing:8896
Filaments tested (in order of appearance):
PolyMaker PolyFlex - www.polymaker.com/shop/polyflex/
Generic TPU (3D Printer Gear) - www.3dprintergear.com.au/51-f...
Fiberlogy Fiberflex 40D - fiberlogy.com/en/fiberlogy-fil...
Essentium TPU - essentiummaterials.com/product...
MakeShaper TPU 85A - www.makeshaper.com/product-cat...
Diabase X60 Ultra-Flexible Filament - flexionextruder.com/shop/x60-...
NOTE: No links above are affiliate, no money has changed hands and all opinions in this video are my own!
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---- - Наука та технологія
weird flex but ok
I clicked only because I knew you'd be there
I'm disappointed there was no Flex tape in the vid. :(
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ☝️
I see what you did there. Well played.
heh
A bit disapointed that there is no Filaflex or Ninjaflex, but great video
true, but don't see it much in Aus. Maybe it'll be in a part 2.
Maker's Muse May i suggest that you also test Semiflex ? So that you can compare what you call semi-flexible materials to what is considered by manufacturers "semi-flexible"
Cheeta from ninjaflex seems interesting.
Ola Ruud I have used cheetah filament and it's amazing. Printed at 60mm/s and it worked perfectly. very flexible and fast. No jams or anything. Just a very expensive filament lol
Carter Bridges I like Cheetah also much, easy and fast, good quality, won't buy basic TPU anymore
Nice to see an old vid, helps me recognize how much your presentation has improved over the years while still maintaining quality content.
Thanks for including us! Glad to see you had good results!
Hey Angus, your videos are always top-tier quality and the perfect mix of entertaining and informative. I get excited about any content that comes from you. Keep up the good work
Thanks for the hint with Fiberlogy. I’m looking to start a 3D adventure with Select Mini V2 and currently I’m exploring filament pricing, availability and reviews doing first 3D models to see if I should really jump in. Anyway I really like your videos, good work!
what are the odds that I've been watching a ton of videos on this topic and you put out this video! Sweet!
Great review! I'm printing usable shoes from TPU and TPE, your video is a nice addition to the materials I need to try! Thanks!
This was great. I was looking for a more rigid filament and had no idea where to find it. Now I have some options.
Thanks man. I got my first spool of TPU and had a hard time printing larger objects. Your hint with increased temperature, lowered speed and no retraction did it on my ender-3
but did the stringing increase after you disabled retraction?
I just love your channel every time I have a doubt. I just search for your videos and I find all the answers I need ^^'
Congratulations! I'm your fan. kkkk
and I'm glad that even though I'm Brazilian I learned English and I can understand your videos normally
You should do an update on the last filament. Like changing the settings so it prints well and printing (or even designing) some useful things would be great
Such a dope video man!!! I have been looking up flexible material !!!
Awesome! SO glad you had the X60 on here! I am getting a product prototype done using a 60A TPU 3D printed. I should have it by Feb 10th. I have it on 100% infill so I hope it doesnt under extrude at all.
Life with a 3D printer: Currently 6 A:M. Started 45 minute print at midnight. Just finished now. Dealing with the design, misprints then a huge clog was well worth it.
Hendryck De Los Santos what did you make
I made Arduino clips to hold and mount an Arduino board to anything by screwing the mount in, but I'm new to 3D printing which explains the long hours I put into printing something so simple. Currently, I am designing and printing connectors so I can make frames out of 6mm wooden dowels, and they're coming out perfect! I even made a dowel connector that connects to my Arduino mount instead of screws. Effectively, I am hoping to have a fully modular array of connectors and mounts to mount all sorts of Arduino modules.
keep up printing, you'll see, it gets faster and easier when you know what settings to tweak for what types of prints :)
what program do you use and is it free?
Nathan Green Tinker Cad is a free web based 3d printing design software
i love it when he says "LETS GET STARTED"
this is the EXACT video i needed
Thank you for actualy making a helpful video, i have been having trouble finding somthing useful untill now.
Nice to see original content & not just reviews on the CR10 & drones.
Extremely useful information. Working with developing prosthetics and was wondering if as in the case of finger tips for instance which of these appear more able to grip or tackiness, not just the durometer.
Great video. I blindly bought nijaflex and it is elastic and combined with the fact that it stuck to itself on the roll a little bit I was unable to print on my Cetus(under extrusion). Now I have a guide I can use to determine which brand to go with, thanks!
While this is an older video, I have just bought & tried a roll of Polymaker TPU90. (purchased locally here in Oz) This is the softest filament I have tried to date & have been very impressed. Yes a few little tweaks for my Prusa & though it's too soft for some things, so far I have found it to be of very good quality.
First time commenter on your UA-cam. Have you ever used Filkemp Filaments? I have been very impressed on drastically I no longer waste filament. They also have a great TPU!
the pink is so gorgeous! also I feel so lucky because I at print 40mm/s with my anycubic i3 mega-s and never had an issue :D I use retractions and a linear advance value of 0.65 (normally 0.4)
I appreciate that Fiberology seems to have tried to describe their filament characteristics in the name: "40D" implies a particular Shore hardness.
first
Thats cheating!
Maker's Muse not fair
:P I did it after making it public! But no, not fair hehe
wow i wanted to be first :(
Maker's Muse i have a question can you do a review on a printer called the cube 3 from 3d systems please
I'm using a generic TPU (kind of the first one in the video) and I'm able to print it at 40mm/s with 6mm of rectraction without any issues (with a TEVO tarantula Pro, bowden extruder). The main difference I changed is to reduce the extruder tension to almost 0, and raise up the extrusion multiplier to 1.4, and it's working fine. I wonder if someone else already tried it.
Thanks for sharing :-)
Good introduction of this tricky prints :-)
I can vouch for Fiberlogy 40D and 30D (softer than 40D) flexible filaments - I tried both to print some RC car tires and they came out pretty good. Using the OpenRC F1 as an example - I would recommend the 40D for the front spoiler bumper as the filament is a bit more rigid than the 30D but still flexes well to lessen damage caused by impacts and crashes. The 30D filament is good for tires but you need to be careful with the number of perimeters and your infill type - I found 2 -3 perimeter walls and concentric infill made for tires that acted very similar to real-world pneumatics - turning your feed rate down to 75-80% of what you would print PLA also helps a lot.
@Angus: I'm wondering ; what about the grippy-ness of those materials?
I've used some TPC-flex in the past and prints where flexible, but still quite slippery.
I printed some rubber feet for f.e. a 3d printer, but the machine still slides on the table too easily.
Which filament can be used best for this application?
Winand D I have some NinjaFlex, I printed feet for my printer. They hardly move at all. Maybe it also helps if you change your bed material (glass/tape)
Alright, i should try some Ninjaflex then! I print on a Buildtak surface (sometimes on Kapton), so it does not leave any tape residu.
Thank you for pointing out flex vs elastic
Interesting videos. A little question, with 10 different possible infill in Cura2 for example, have you ever played with the infill kind to see the effect on "squishiness" of the object for a same infill %? I wonder if there is an impact.
Ninja Flex is my fav for anything I need flexible on a quad. I have gotten some 63A to print on Ender3(Amazon Basics). I have upgraded the base model Ender3 as follows: Capricorn PTFE, Changed to a 26 tooth extruder gear and sharpened it with a small dremel sanding disc at very low speed I was really trying to get rid of some burring that didn't get cleaned off at the factory, and I also printed the extruder clip that puts more spring tension on the material going through the extruder gear. Here's my settings: nozzle size .36, flow to 105%, print in .16mm or smaller layer heights, only 40mm\s on print speed, and change your infill and inner wall speed to match. I also printed the material at the top of its temp range. A slow go compared to the 92A Ninja Flex at 85mm\s infill and inner wall at 100mm\s
Can we have an update on this? I'm really interested in printing gromits and shock absorbing parts do understanding how I tell how elastic a filament is going to be would be great.
Hi there, thanks for your video👍 just wondering is the flexion extruder a must? I probably only need to print the rubber tires for once and do not need to do it again. Do I still need to buy the flexion extruder?
Hadn't tried any of these type, cool! My favorite I've tried is Cheetah. It's perfect for Witch King of Angmar gauntlet parts that then get heat molded for a custom fit 😁
Great video. Have you tried placing PLA prints in a carburetor cleaner vapour bath to make them flexible?
next you need to do a drop test see which one bounce more
I suspect there's a lot of variables in this. For instance, would one of them bounce better with higher infill, but not as good as the same with no infill?
That would be cool
3D Printing Professor he would print them all the same
I like the new energy, keep it up
Nice, I tested 3 flexi/semi filaments on the robox, your right the slower the print the more reliable, I had trouble with ninjaflex, and really flexible material, wouldn't feed or print at all.
Thank you for your review. Do you have a new favorite for something similar to the MakeShaper TPU 85A?
Read the title in Mr. Regular's voice: "which flex is best flex?"
mistaecco my flex is best flex because I bought it from a STORE
does it come in BROWN!?
Peter Schmidt what about NATURAL (off-white yellow)???
What would you guys use to print hard clips that bend to fit into a hole? Like the squeeze clips, where you squeeze the end and it bends the arches inward, and then it bends back to normal in the hole to keep it in there. Then you squeeze the ends again to bend in and pull it out of the hole? So it's hard plastic but can flex a bit without having to worry about it breaking. Any recommendations?
Hi Angus I have a question. Have you ever tried flexible filament with the Cetus. I have a Cetus and simply love it. I've used PLA and PETG and it works like a champ. I've never thought of using flexible material because the Cetus software doesn't have a lot of option for retraction and the like.
Hi Angus, very nice video 🙂 What's your suggestion for a recycled TPU?
Great video. Thanks man!
Someone told me you could print Flexible prints, and I didn't believe it, but holy crap, I gotta get some of these filaments!
i was expecting to see how ninjaflex stands in this lineup, darn
Tysen P Chances are the generic TPU results is what you're looking for.
Hi Professor, fancy meeting you here. Love your work too, and I like how you are happy to suggest and credit other people, like makers muse and teaching tech. Keep up the good work, it's appreciated by many people like me who live far away from you in australia. Teachers without borders...
which is best to damped sound
Can you do a video on finishing flexible parts? I think Plastidip could potentially work because it's flexible but not sure if it will finish the part
Printed Overture TPU on Anycubic Kobra. It was a Tinker CAD model for a handle that had to be easy on the hands and had to slip onto my tool end. The auto feed required pushing in the filament until it stops, then getting the extrusion started. The hole in the handle where the end of the tool was about 18mm square and went in about 60 mm into the handle shopping 50mm before the end of the handle. I was concerned about what might happen at the end of the hole, but the Kobra bridged across the end of the hole and went on to the end of the handle. I wonder if PLA would have done the same.
May I know which filament is good for making Spring
Abrasion resistance testing would give useful knowledge too!
I want to print shoe sole for indoor use .What filament would you recommend ? thank you for all the info!
SUPER HELPFUL!
When I finally find some time I'll send you some really impresive Polish filaments. As Fiberlogy flexes are nice and easy, I have some real monsters in my closet.
45ShA anyone? Or 60ShA with 600% extension? or maybe you need high friction coefficient and soft touch flex?
There's one company here in Poland that makes I think 7 flexes each with different applications and chemistry.
No facy colours and spools though. Purely technical high-end stuff.
i'm sure the infill pattern/shape matters a lot on how squishy it is tho.
what about soft pla.
I'm new to 3D printing and having a blast. This video made me wonder if anyone with a duel extruder has attempt to print with both flexible and regular PLA? For example. Skull with standard PLA and outer skin being printed with one of the flexibles? Maybe for like a Terminator battle damaged bust that kind of felt like real skin.
I know it's a simple idea but how about skateboard bushings with different flexible filaments and see which works best? (Just for those who don't know the bushings are the rubber bits in the trucks that give the leaning resistance)
Question: If you have to print a unit that's 24" long by 2-1/2" wide by 3/4" high.... BUT your table is only 10 or 11" long -- How do you do it? And assuming you would split the model how would you connect the 2 or 3 pieces together and still be flexible?
Is there a TPU (Saintsmart) profile for Prusaslicer and the MK3S somewhere to be found?
Angus your lightning is soo dim, you should invest in better lights, it will make your videos pop. Cheers m8 continue the good work.
thanks for the info! Could you also test brands such as Hatchbox and Sainsmart please, thanks!
I'm test all Tpu hardness 65,75,95 and 98 on my flashforge Dreamer had no problem and come out perfect
Can you test them on the anet a8 as I have one on its way and wanna know if there are any flexible filaments that I would be able to use with it. Thanks
What material would be the thing to use for a bicycle phone holder? I have just bought a prusa so I am considering what to make. Last year I wanted a phone holder thingy for my bicycle. They did not have them for me then, so now I am wondering if I may not just as well try to make one ore two myself. I kinda have this idea of just slotting it into place. However, perhaps its just as well to have some straps or clamps or something. I do not want my phone falling onto the road or something in any case.
TUP is good for stubby holders. Especially if you put a bit of texture on the outside. Remember to put a hole in the bottom though or getting the can out is a nightmare.
Any recommendations for flexible filaments for making RC off road tires? I don’t have a direct drive printer yet but looking at a small part printer for flexibles, any recommendations ?
Could you share the printing settings you had for the different filaments on the prusa as well as on the wanhao?
I need to print a cover for the metal frame which needs to protect from bumps. Need flex, not elastic, able to absorb bumps
the cover is 500x370x60 mm thickness 3mm which is pretty large are and no need to bend when free staying on the table. So much confusing termination similar terminations like TPU or TPE which a lot of people tried to explain but they are confusing too.
My bet is the first black octopus material. What do you think? Thanks on advance
Can you do conductive filament. Currently im using regular PLA to print molds for silicone, and a second mold for the conductive part, which i then auper glue together. Im thinking about investing in a second extruder so i can print flexible filaments, and then use my first extruder to simply print the conductive part straight to the flexible rubber button arrays in one print.
Maybe an odd question on an older video, but which flex filament gives the best GRIP?
I'm thinking printed tyres or tank tracks etc.
Anyone for a friction coefficient test??!
Is your hotend improved to work with softer flexible filament? Very usefull video!
Some of the difference in "head squishiness" could be air trapped in some but not others. 3:06, 5:03, 6:58, 9:31(trapped) vs 8:48 (not trapped).
Also, is the level of infill identical in all cases?
TPU sticks like CRAZY to PEI - I had to take my base OFF to work in my lap to put enough pressure to remove my first TPU print.
SO what is this bit about "distance" - can you do the first layer at different "heights"? I notice mine at .2mm always start at .3 on my LCD. Thanks! Great Vid!
Super helpful video Angus. One question, how do you get the bottom of your flexible prints smooth and glossy? I am currently test running products for our company on china-brand Buildtak and the bottom ends up sort of frosted per say. Thanks in advanced.
I'm printing on smooth build surfaces such as PEI and Print Bite (garolite). Buildtak will leave a textured surface. Try glass, if you heat it up and get the first layer distance perfect you get amazingly smooth first layers.
Awesome, thanks again so much!
are all rubbery prints shiny ? is there a matte finish filament ? or would that be a post print effect , also many the plural of 8 octopi would be octruplets :) a collective of octopi would be consortium
Maker's Muse,,
I live in the US and was wondering where i could buy the Fiberlogy FiberFlex filament, because it's not on their website
do you think I can print a belt for an electric skateboard ? and wich one of these filaments wouold fit the best ? because I'm considering printing the pulleys and i thought i could print the belt with a flexible material but is it really possible ?
how much can you keep stretching an pulling 3d printed parts like these before they start to brake at the bonded points?
@Makers Muse, can you review M3D's Tough Ink? it's supposed to be a flexible filament that you can control the stiffness in the settings as well as it's supposed to have great bonding. I'd love to see what you think of it
for flexible bed adhesion, I really like dried gluestick, print sticks, but comes off easy
Is it possible to print a squishy? Would the X60 give a squishy result?
I'm new to 3d Printing, How to know if our printer is compatible with the flexible filament and what kind of filament should I get?
Having a hard time finding the best for my cr10s. I can't find anyone saying what to buy and the settings. Not sure I want to go through $200 in different kinds to figure it out. Any idea?
hi, can you use flexiflex filament with the wanhao duplicator i3 mini. All i know is i must buy 1.75 and 0.3mm. Is this correct? thanks
Need some of the Fiberlogy for making faux starburst
How does the HatchBox TPU compare to these flexible filaments? Thanks!
What is the infill amount in the tests. I tried the MatterHacher's Build Series TPU and the filament seems flexible but prints pretty hard. Basically hard with a rubbery coating more or less. Less hard with thiner parts of a print. To get any considerable real flex out of this filament I would have to print at 10% infill or less. I only printed a few items with it. A cute little baby Dragon on Thingiverse. The ears were flexible but the body was pretty hard.
I'm very happy with NinjaFlex, very flexi an printable on a Wanhao I3 Plus! I printed test seals for industrialcase!
NICE JOB!!!
THANKS FOR THE DUROMETER CHART AND CORRESPONDING HARDNESS APPLICATION. YOUR VIDEOS ARE THE BEST. I HAVE A TEVO TORNADO GOLD AND LOVE YOUR VIDEOS.
0:51 HAHAHA the most nervous laugh I have ever seen
I'd recommend doing an update on this and run prints without the infill. The structured infill really limits the flex.
I've been looking for an 85A TPU similar to the green generic tpu you use in this video. It doesn't look like it's available via the link anymore. Do you know where you can purchase it now, or do you have a suggestion of another similar 85A TPU? Thanks!
I've been having issues getting good settings for the X60. Did you tweak your settings much?
I didn't change anything, maybe try printing slower with a bit more heat and make sure it's not skipping or slipping by dialing the tension. For some reason I didn't have to adjust for the whole range of flex filaments.
If I were to print a frisbee, what should I use? I want something solid but soft at the same time. I don’t want it to shatter when it lands, but I don’t want it to bend like crazy either.
what about handling grip on a flat surface to make like rc tires ? with best ?
Nobock fiberflex i think
Depend of the use, harder compound it will last more but you will get less grip... and viceversa.. probably 80 is a good starting point..
I am trying to print airtight ninjaflex actuator, have any tips for getting rid of microscopic holes?
I wonder how my da Vinci (stock) would cope with this fun filament? I am considering other 3D printers like that Prussia or maybe a delta printer.