Polymaker recently unveiled their latest innovation in the 3D printing industry – a new series of high speed 3D print materials called “PolySonic”. This announcement comes at a time when there has been a surge in the availability of high speed 3D printers, but a scarcity of materials that can keep up with these machines.
The concept of “high speed” materials has been somewhat ambiguous, with many manufacturers failing to provide a clear explanation of what this term actually means. However, Polymaker has taken a refreshing approach by offering a detailed explanation of how their PolySonic filaments achieve higher speeds.
So, why is there a need for “high speed” filament in the first place? The answer lies in the fact that when printing at higher speeds, the thermoplastic material passes through the hot end more rapidly, giving it less time to soften. This necessitates higher hot end temperatures, but there is still a limit to how fast the printing can be done. This is where “high speed” filaments come in – they are designed to soften more quickly, making them more compatible with faster printing speeds.
Polymaker has tackled the issue of high speed printing by breaking it down into three crucial aspects: strength, quality, and speed. This holistic approach ensures that all three factors are taken into account, because it would be counterproductive to prioritize speed over strength and quality.
One noteworthy aspect of Polymaker’s approach is that they provide an official definition of what they consider to be “high speed” filaments. According to Luke Taylor, a representative from Polymaker, their PolySonic filaments can consistently extrude at 24mm3/s on a popular extrusion system. This is equivalent to a speed of 300mm/s at a layer height of 0.2mm and a nozzle size of 0.4mm. These standardized testing parameters allow for accurate comparison between different filaments.
Another crucial element in achieving high speed printing is the forming of the material. By lowering the molecular weight of the polymer, Polymaker is able to enhance heat transfer and enable faster melting. However, this can lead to certain printing issues such as stringing, poor overhangs, and loss of detail. Balancing these factors is a challenging task, but Polymaker has managed to strike a good balance with their PolySonic filaments.
Lastly, the mechanical properties of a printed part can be affected when printing at higher speeds due to the reduced time available for thorough heating and layer adhesion. It is important to note that Polymaker acknowledges this trade-off and provides a realistic expectation of what to expect in terms of mechanical properties when using their PolySonic filaments.
In conclusion, Polymaker’s launch of their PolySonic high speed 3D print materials addresses the shortage of materials that can keep pace with the increasing number of high speed 3D printers in the market. By providing a comprehensive explanation of how their filaments achieve higher speeds, Polymaker has set a new benchmark for transparency in the industry. This level of detail allows consumers to make informed decisions about the materials they choose for their high speed printing projects.
Introducing Polymaker’s PolySonic: Enhancing Efficiency in 3D Printing
Polymaker has recently unveiled their latest innovation in the world of 3D printing – PolySonic. This advanced material is designed to optimize extrusion efficiency, ensuring excellent print quality while reducing processing time.
But what exactly is extrusion efficiency? In simple terms, it refers to the ability of a material to maintain its mechanical properties at high printing speeds. When printing at a lower speed of 24mm3/s, PolySonic retains at least 80% of its overall properties, including layer adhesion, tensile strength, and impact strength.
However, there is a catch. Polymaker discloses in their marketing that the tensile strength is reduced by only 6% when printing at high speeds compared to the classic speed. This discrepancy arises from the testing sample and methodology employed, which is the industry standard for Polymaker and many other competitors.
The problem lies in the size of the 3D printed samples used in the ISO527 testing. These samples are not large enough to allow the printer to reach the desired full speed. As a result, the testing results do not accurately reflect the full potential of PolySonic.
To address this issue, Polymaker turned to the tensile strength testing machine, which is considerably larger. By increasing the size of the printed dog bone sample, a larger specimen was produced, allowing the printer to reach the requested 300mm/s print speed without deceleration for direction changes. The results obtained from this testing method demonstrated the true benefits of PolySonic over its counterpart, PolyLite.
Looking towards the future, Polymaker acknowledges the need for a new set of mechanical tests specifically designed for high-speed printing materials. This will ensure accurate and comprehensive data evaluation, solving the issue encountered in their initial release of PolySonic.
PolySonic will be available in two variants: PolySonic PLA and PolySonic PLA Pro. The Pro line includes additives that enhance impact strength, making it comparable to ABS in performance, excluding thermal resistance. The basic PolySonic material comes in five colors, while the Pro variant is currently only available in black and white. However, knowing Polymaker’s history of innovation, their customers can expect a wider range of color options in the near future.
In conclusion, Polymaker’s PolySonic pushes the boundaries of 3D printing efficiency. With its ability to maintain mechanical properties at high speeds, this material offers users enhanced productivity without compromising on quality. As the industry continues to evolve, Polymaker remains committed to providing innovative solutions for the 3D printing community.
“Why did the 3D printer go to therapy? Because it had too many layers of unresolved issues!”
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