Reprapper tech Flexible copper filament.

[curious aardvark]

So this is a flexible pla filament with ultrafine copper powder as colourant.

It basically just looks like thick copper wire.

Been making trolley release widgets last couple of days - using polyflex. Which is stiff enough to push the end into the trolley but flexible enough to keep in your back pocket. basically damn near indestructible.

So thought I'd make some in the copper filament.

First thing to know - you print polyflex with an unheated bed.
BUT you have to print the reprapper filament with a heated bed !
Bloody stuff warps - quite a lot for pla.

Currently got one on with 60c bed, 220c print temp - and it's still warping. Wonder if it's the copper causing the warp. Not seen any kind of pla warp this much.
third attempt, just doesn't seem to stick to pva - which is weird.

Might have to stick some bluetape on the bed.

Okay one more attempt with more pva and a real tight calibration.

Must have done more calibrations in the last hour than in the previous 6 months :-)

*

well it's official - this stuff does not stick to pva. Hell I thought everything stuck to pva :-)
Good job I'm only using 15.9 cm or 2gm for these widgets and a 10 minute print - still got a lot of that 10metre roll to go :-)

Right stuck some blue tape on - let's calibrate !

Haven't used blue tape since I discovered glue sticks.
and we're off ...............

Usually starts to go at the 73% mark and then just curls up at both ends like a beached fish.

80% and still flat, the last pva one had started to curl at this stage.

sorted. Apart from needing a different font it's bang on.

Okay so you need blue tape for this stuff.
But other than that I'm really impressed.
Loads without any issues. Prints at 45mm/s and 0.3mm layer with no problems.
the widget is really clean, with no bobbles or threads.

If it wasn't cold and piddling down with rain I'd go get a camera - as it is you'll have to wait untill tomorrow :-)