New A1 has arrived

For those with printing experience how much would ABS filament be advantageous when choosing a printer..?
Understanding that the A1 is not suited to such filament, what sort of prints would not be possible.?

Just wondering what I would be missing by having a A1 / Mini and not an enclosed type, like the PS1.

Thanks
 
East plastic has its own unique characteristics. ABS and ASA are useful for ‘functional prints’ because of their higher strength.

PLA has the lowest melting point, lowest strength and is the most brittle but it’s cheap, easy to print and biodegradable.

PETG has a slightly higher melting points has a bit more flex, strength and UV resistance.

ABS has an ever higher melting point and more strength but gives off nasty fumes when printing.

ASA is similar to ABS but also has UV resistance.

I’m going to use it to print some custom rack mounts for my Ubiquiti gear which lives in the loft, PLA would deform due to the heat, I could probably get away with PETG but I’m using ABS to be safe.
 
Thanks. I am becoming aware of the ability of the enclosed printers, avoiding warping and other issues, to print certain filament types that the open type would typically struggle with, perhaps more so for larger items..?
Then you would need to deal with the fumes if you try and print using ABS on an open type, not having any filtration.
I take it that the ASA type would face similar restrictions on an open bed as would ABS...?
Then there is the styrene part of the plastic, like ABS, to consider.

@b0rn2sk8 if you used a A1 for those rack mounts would have used PETG, as you mentioned, if you were using an open type printer like the A1..? Assuming you have something different...?

Thanks

I just hope, if I get an enclosed type, the charcoal filters are effective.
 
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Yes an A1 can’t do ASA or ABS without an enclosure.

I’ve got a P1S so that’s not a concern for me but even then it really needs to be in a well ventilated space. Mines out in the garage, not sure I’d want to be doing it inside even with a carbon filter.

I’ve just been holding off while it’s been so cold outside but I think I’ll crack on if this weather holds to the weekend.
 
Thanks. Understanding the potential for health risks with the use of filaments containing styrene, and if we bought an enclosed type, looking at the P1s, it would need to be in a living room, I would feel uncomfortable with that.
Our garage has so much clutter, as well as the temperature and humidity not being regulated. Also it would be too remote from where I would wish it to be, ideally.

Whilst that offers another thing to think about, sooner have to think about it before buying one, perhaps an open type might be attractive for out first choice. Assuming that the other types of plastic have been shown to not release any toxic concerns when being printed.
I am noting that PETG can release caprolactam, that can be an irritant,

Another point, less relevant, is to read about certain exotic types of filaments that have carbon, copper etc impregnated into them. When I read that, or noted it mentioned in a video, I had some concerns about the carbon fibres / particles and would there be any validity to be concerned about working with those, especially if sanded or shaped after being printed.
 
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Carbon filaments and others with fillers like glow in the dark are often referred to as ‘abrasives’.

The main concern with them is what it says in the tin, they are abrasive. They wear out parts of the machine like the nozzle, extruder gears, PTFE tubes, AMS gears etc much more quickly.

Most printers come with stainless steel nozzles and gears, you’ll need to swap them for hardened steel of your plan to print a lot of that. One off printing is fine with the stock parts but they will see increased wear.
 
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Thanks.

I would have / am considering having a printer setup in the lounge as that is typically our least used room downstairs, over that of the front room. The dining room not being suitable.
The lounge is closed off from other rooms so the noise levels should not be an issue.
I could consider our loft, floorboarded with window etc...

It is just having an awareness of any potential health issues in using certain types of filaments, and the typical use for those plastics when they could be needed.

I had read about hardened components to help with certain abrasive types of filaments, thanks for mentioning that.
I suppose it is also what you do with those plastics afterwards that can matter. I was watching one YT video showing a person using a copper based filament using a wheel sander after printing what she needed.
 
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Printer has been very busy this week. One more piece to go and then have to print all of the mounting pieces

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