One good use of conductive filament to 3D print your own ESD-safe PCB carrier boards. I've designed and printed some out for work and they're awesome. 😁
I really like this type of electrical explanations with 3D Printing! I'm going to order the Proto-Pasta Conductive Filament from your link! Great Stuff!
I'm thinking a chassis to house your controller instead of the usual PLA, PETG, ABS, etc. to help reduce the risk of a floating ground or electrical shock. Anti-static material is conductive but has a higher resistance to create more of draining effect than an instant discharge. Another possibility may be RF attenuation. It wouldn't be as good as metal but should provide noticeable reduction. Chuck could probably provide more insight about the feasibility.
Had an idea one time to print some internal wiring into bicycle fenders but never got around to it, doh. Think that would work okay just two colour printing it like normal with a 1x1mm "wire"? If the fender itself is 3mm thick and as long as it's water tight, eh? Could integrate a AA battery slot and whatnot too, would look slick. Rainy day test idea with the internal wiring maybe. 0.5mm gaps to slot leds into and whatnot, heh heh. Love this hobby. Thanks for reminding me this stuff exists!
Very interesting. Wonder how much changing the infill pattern would change your results. My guess is this stuff would be best used for prints you don't want charge to build up. Say like making printed bins to store ESD sensitive parts.
Thank you for the videos, they have been helpful as I am just getting into printing. Was going to ask a diagnosis question here but figure it would be better to ask what forum is best to help with identifying possible issues with a new printer.
Pretty interesting indeed, Chuck! Thanks! 😃 I believe Great Scott used it a while back, to build a 3d printed brushless motor! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
There's probably a million people saying this (I haven't read the comments yet) but 3d printed pots. Possibly a touch bar? I've seen/done this before with VHS tape and a metal strip, but printing might be more durable.
Yes you get lower resitance (0 ohms) easly by copper plating the resitive 3D printed lines with copper suphate and a DC power supply dropping the voltage as it gets more coating. This means you can dip a 3D conductive printed tracks that are in contact with a metal holder: For example NE55 timer dip pack with a LED or speaker even the through holes can be placed . e.g. 2mm hole that is not all the way on the 3mm none conductive substrate. Better if you have a AWS type fillemnt holder for normal PLA and Conductive PLA . Image having a switch on the side of your case that has no wires! Building up the copper plate till you can solder is also possible but care over melting points is critical.
Hi, good video! Im wandering wgat about annealing those conductive bars, how annealing could improve conductivity. Another thing is how can change the capacity of the piece changing the infill angle?
1-) Annealing would probably increase conductivity, because conductive grains will align themselves as they heat up, creating more stable pathways for the electrons. 2-) Angle of the infill could be irrelevant, infill percentage and point of contact between each infill layer is the important part. As the point of contact and infill increases, the conductivity increases with them.
Excellent stuff Chuck, as always! So could you print low-power resistors of misc value (what would be the formula for dimensions vs resistance?) for use with USB and Arduino projects? Or do they need more current than the filament can handle? I wonder how the maximum current/sq area would be before it heats up too much...?
If you're thinking of printing a flex sensor, then what you need to know is whether stretching it lengthwise increases the resistance. If so, then you'd print one or two layers of regular filament and one layer of conductive. That's how flex sensors are normally constructed.
Hi Chep, I need some help with Cura. I have built my Ender 3 correctly, but whenever I go to print something after slicing with Cura, my printer prints slightly off center from the bed. Origin at center is off and my bed dimensions are 235x235mm. I know it’s the slicer because I just recently downloaded your E-Lever gcode and it positions at the corners correctly; it’s just happens when I print from the slicer.
@@FilamentFriday 220mm converts to 8.661in; if you measure the build plate on an E3P you get 9 1/4in and 235mm converts to 9.252. I only figured this out last night. I did have it at 220mm but I changed it to 235mm. I think it’s a default setting in Cura since the E3P is advertised at 220x220x250mm Any other suggestions please? I didn’t mean to argue.
If this filament contains carbon fibre, are their concerns about airborne filament particulates that can be inhaled? Do you need to wear a mask with this filament, like one must when cutting solid carbon fibre? Thanks.
This stuff would be perfect for making plastic housings for electronics that are basically static-dissipative as they conduct 'a bit', so it's perfect for conducting static discharges to ground. Some companies sell sheet-plastic that are similar compounds for that purpose and they are used for making housings etc by vacuum forming. I used an assembly made from the sheet plastic form in work once, I might buy some of this filament to try.
yea one ounce copper could easily pass 3 amps over 100mm with a resistance of ~0.40 ohm ... your going to burn around 100mw just to power a LED though a 5x1 bar of brittle plastic
You know you didn't have to 3d print anything to test the resistance right? The spools are already a very accurate diameter, just cut a length of filament off the spool and measure it.
One good use of conductive filament to 3D print your own ESD-safe PCB carrier boards. I've designed and printed some out for work and they're awesome. 😁
Thanks for raising some awareness around this cool technology! There are so many uses in prototyping where conductive filament can be helpful.
OUT-FRICKIN'-STANDING, Chuck! I thoroughly enjoyed your multiple experimentation and explanations. Thank you!
Suggestion: Make a potentiometer.. maybe some oversized silly light or sound thing with a large, entirely 3d-printed pot.
I really like this type of electrical explanations with 3D Printing! I'm going to order the Proto-Pasta Conductive Filament from your link! Great Stuff!
That was a smooth ad segue, Chuck.
I'm wondering if anyone's come up with practical uses for the conductive filament.
I'm thinking a chassis to house your controller instead of the usual PLA, PETG, ABS, etc. to help reduce the risk of a floating ground or electrical shock. Anti-static material is conductive but has a higher resistance to create more of draining effect than an instant discharge. Another possibility may be RF attenuation. It wouldn't be as good as metal but should provide noticeable reduction. Chuck could probably provide more insight about the feasibility.
static dissipative housings
Thanks Chuck! Great to see demonstrations like this with Conductive PLA!!!
The cool thing about this is that you can use this to make a capacitive button or a contact pad for a capacitive switch.
I really liked this one! Really clear with some great comparisons.
Your custom probe holder is ingenious. Why didn't I think of that? Making a set with different distances.
Had an idea one time to print some internal wiring into bicycle fenders but never got around to it, doh. Think that would work okay just two colour printing it like normal with a 1x1mm "wire"? If the fender itself is 3mm thick and as long as it's water tight, eh? Could integrate a AA battery slot and whatnot too, would look slick.
Rainy day test idea with the internal wiring maybe. 0.5mm gaps to slot leds into and whatnot, heh heh. Love this hobby. Thanks for reminding me this stuff exists!
Very interesting. Wonder how much changing the infill pattern would change your results. My guess is this stuff would be best used for prints you don't want charge to build up. Say like making printed bins to store ESD sensitive parts.
Thank you for the videos, they have been helpful as I am just getting into printing. Was going to ask a diagnosis question here but figure it would be better to ask what forum is best to help with identifying possible issues with a new printer.
Pretty interesting indeed, Chuck! Thanks! 😃
I believe Great Scott used it a while back, to build a 3d printed brushless motor!
Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
There's probably a million people saying this (I haven't read the comments yet) but 3d printed pots. Possibly a touch bar? I've seen/done this before with VHS tape and a metal strip, but printing might be more durable.
Electroboom needs to see this video
What's the resistance of bare filament with your probe holders?
Yes you get lower resitance (0 ohms) easly by copper plating the resitive 3D printed lines with copper suphate and a DC power supply dropping the voltage as it gets more coating.
This means you can dip a 3D conductive printed tracks that are in contact with a metal holder: For example NE55 timer dip pack with a LED or speaker even the through holes can be placed . e.g. 2mm hole that is not all the way on the 3mm none conductive substrate. Better if you have a AWS type fillemnt holder for normal PLA and Conductive PLA . Image having a switch on the side of your case that has no wires! Building up the copper plate till you can solder is also possible but care over melting points is critical.
Do you have a video showing this process is successful?
I’d love to see it.
Would you be able to use items printed with a conductive filament for electro plating instead of having to paint it with a conductive material first?
Some people have done it(hackaday has an article) to increase conductivity
now apply 240VAC to it and let the smoke out!
Build around a strng magnet and you can make a good sensor or?
On the plus side, it's easy to make conductive wire!
How about try and make a heating pad out of one and see if it get hot enouth to make it get soft?
If this works i wonder if you could heat the hotend by running a current through the nozzle?
It’s too high of resistance. To get it hot enough you either need to get it to sub 10 ohms or use 100’s of volts.
100s of volts ... like AC from the wall socket?
Hi, good video! Im wandering wgat about annealing those conductive bars, how annealing could improve conductivity. Another thing is how can change the capacity of the piece changing the infill angle?
1-) Annealing would probably increase conductivity, because conductive grains will align themselves as they heat up, creating more stable pathways for the electrons.
2-) Angle of the infill could be irrelevant, infill percentage and point of contact between each infill layer is the important part. As the point of contact and infill increases, the conductivity increases with them.
Great video!!!
Do you have the STL for the probe holder
Excellent stuff Chuck, as always!
So could you print low-power resistors of misc value (what would be the formula for dimensions vs resistance?) for use with USB and Arduino projects? Or do they need more current than the filament can handle? I wonder how the maximum current/sq area would be before it heats up too much...?
I really like your stuff. It Helped me alot.
What effect does the filler have on shrinkage?
Nice segway into the sponsor.
"Segway" 😂
Hi, douse that filament change resistance when it is bent in a direction and change back when its bent back to the starting position?
If you're thinking of printing a flex sensor, then what you need to know is whether stretching it lengthwise increases the resistance. If so, then you'd print one or two layers of regular filament and one layer of conductive. That's how flex sensors are normally constructed.
@@dekutree64 yes I watched the vids on how to do that. I thought somebody may have done all the prototyping for that.
Nice work. Are there any filaments, with better conductivity? 750 ohm/cm (the smallest) is a bit too much.
I see the same CNC I have behind you. Future video or second channel?
Already here: ua-cam.com/video/GlwLkojadzY/v-deo.html
But... Could you print a PCB, then electroplate copper onto the filament?
No
I would be shocked if you couldn't.
@lorna blewett and lee: That might even open the door to much stronger prints.
Can you make a video on bridges
You drive across them. Just kidding. Cura has a setting in the Experimental options called _enable bridge settings_ which I find pretty good.
Thanks for the extra brain wrinkles Chep! Super helpful and interesting as always.
Hi Chep, I need some help with Cura. I have built my Ender 3 correctly, but whenever I go to print something after slicing with Cura, my printer prints slightly off center from the bed.
Origin at center is off and my bed dimensions are 235x235mm. I know it’s the slicer because I just recently downloaded your E-Lever gcode and it positions at the corners correctly; it’s just happens when I print from the slicer.
Should be 220x220
@@FilamentFriday 220mm converts to 8.661in; if you measure the build plate on an E3P you get 9 1/4in and 235mm converts to 9.252.
I only figured this out last night. I did have it at 220mm but I changed it to 235mm. I think it’s a default setting in Cura since the E3P is advertised at 220x220x250mm
Any other suggestions please? I didn’t mean to argue.
But what if I wanted to print a new membrane for my keyboard?
Try it. Let me know how it works.
If this filament contains carbon fibre, are their concerns about airborne filament particulates that can be inhaled? Do you need to wear a mask with this filament, like one must when cutting solid carbon fibre? Thanks.
No idea. You’d have to ask the manufacturer.
presumably you'd be able to electroplate whatever you printed with conductive filament. that would be worth a video.
Too high of resistance.
Tinkercad now has circuit design
It’s had it for 5 years. ua-cam.com/video/WOCRlmnMGRE/v-deo.html
What's is this filament for
This stuff would be perfect for making plastic housings for electronics that are basically static-dissipative as they conduct 'a bit', so it's perfect for conducting static discharges to ground. Some companies sell sheet-plastic that are similar compounds for that purpose and they are used for making housings etc by vacuum forming. I used an assembly made from the sheet plastic form in work once, I might buy some of this filament to try.
Across the chep cube bahahahahahhahaha that was awesome
yea one ounce copper could easily pass 3 amps over 100mm with a resistance of ~0.40 ohm ... your going to burn around 100mw just to power a LED though a 5x1 bar of brittle plastic
🔥💕👍
ummm I've used copper, iron and other metals infused PLA but have only tried the conductive PLA once.
You know you didn't have to 3d print anything to test the resistance right? The spools are already a very accurate diameter, just cut a length of filament off the spool and measure it.
So you guarantee that will tell me an accurate reading of the print resistance after going through the melt and reform process?