Getting Started with Filamet™
What’s Needed to Get Printing
Filamet™, Choose from one of our 15+ stock materials, or contact us about creating something new and unique.
0.6mm or 0.8mm hardened steel nozzle.
A Filawarmer.
How toPrint Filamet™
Filamet prints very similarly to regular PLA filaments. There are just a couple of changes that have to be made with how the filament is loaded and printed. which is not typically used with regualr PLA filaments, helps with printing.
We recommend starting with a 0.2mm layer height, 70–100% infill, and a 120–135% flow rate (sometimes referred to as extrusion multiplier, 1.20–1.35 when written as a decimal).
We recommend to start at 210°C (410°F) and tune in the range of 190–230°C (374–446°F). Going under 190°C (374°F) can cause jamming. Going over 230°C (446°F) can cause debinding in the nozzle, resulting in a jam. Optionally, set the build plate to 40–65°C (104–149°F). 65°C (149°F) is recommended for glass/G10 build plates.
More indepth instructions can be found here.
What’s Needed to Debind and Sinter
How to Debindand Sinter Filamet™
Filamet™ debinds with only heat so there is no extra debinding equipment needed. Sintering can be done in any kiln that can reach and hold the sintering temperature.
Exact debinding and sintering instructions for each tested material can be found here.
Filamet™ FAQs: Your Metal 3D Printing Questions AnsweredFAQ
What do I need to print Filamet™? (printer, accessories, etc)
Essentially any FFF/FDM 3D printer that accepts any filament brand will work.
Dual gear is better than single gear.
Direct drive is better than bowden tube.
Convenient nozzle changing is good, too.
Customers have had good, consistent results with the Prusa and Creality brands.
You will also want:
A hardened nozzle sized at 0.6mm or 0.8mm. Brass nozzles will work but they’ll wear down quickly.
A Filawarmer will help with the printing process. The filament gets a memory of its circular shape on the spool. A single strand of filament goes through the Filawarmer as it comes off the spool which helps ease that memory and make the filament more pliable and flexible.
blue painters tape for your print bed. Glue sticks also work on glass print beds. Filamet™ really sticks to the bed so putting a release layer between the print bed and the print is key. This is not required for powder coated spring steel plates.
It’s important not to bake the whole spool at once. That does the same thing as the Filawarmer but the effect lasts only about 24 hours and then the whole spool will be brittle and unusable after heating.
How strong is Filamet™?
How should I store Filamet™?
While it won’t hurt them to be wrapped with a desiccant packet inside, it shouldn’t be necessary. You will want to avoid any direct heat like from a heat vent or direct sunlight. You would also want to avoid high levels of humidity like in a room that’s not climate-controlled in the summer.
Other than that, the material should last a long time for you.
What should I do if my filament keeps breaking?
- Your feeder has too much tension on it. Loosening the grip of the feeder may solve this issue.
- If it only happens during travel, try a lower travel speed. Fast movements can result in broken filament.
- If it’s happening during regular printing, try lowering your speed. You may have been going too fast or too slow.
- Try moving the spool closer to the feeder. For direct drive printers, be careful not to get too close or sharp angles as the hot end moves across the print will result in broken filament.
Why is my nozzle jamming?
If your nozzle jams after a couple of layers, your flow rate maybe too high. Try lowering the flow rate a little until it stops.
How do I print with Ultimaker 3D printers?
Use the Print Core CC 0.6mm
What kiln do I need for debinding and sintering?
The same kiln you use for sintering will be used for debinding. Filamet™ debinds using only heat so that process happens on the front end of the heat cycle at lower temperatures. No special equipment or chemicals are required for debinding.
We sell kilns too.
What is the Metal Content of Filamet™?
All of our filaments have their metal content listed on this page.
The exact percentage of the filament is going to be on the label on the spool.
How is density calculated?
We use the Archimedes method to determine the filament density.
How much do parts shrink?
You have some control here. You can shrink the parts 7% and get about 80–85% density. If you add enough heat and time for the parts to shrink by 20%, your density will be in the low 90’s. The less they shrink, the less the shape will change. The X and Y axes shrink fairly uniformly. The Z axis will have slightly more shrink due to gravity. Circles and holes keep their shape well.
A good rule of thumb when starting is out is 5% isostatic shrink for Copper and Bronze, 10% isostatic shrink for the steels.
How do I clean a part after sintering?
Can I get a sample part made?
The companies listed on our Services page can print and sinter parts for you for a fee.
Is Filamet™ Conductive?
Where can I find Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for Filamet™?
All SDS are on this page.
Are you going to have more printable metals?
The Virtual Foundry is consistently working on expanding available products. Keep watching this website, our Facebook page, and our LinkedIn page for new material announcements. Looking for custom development? Please contact us!
What makes Filamet™ special?
Filamet™ makes metal printing available to anyone with a Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printer—no need to purchase a costly printer to print with metal.
Where do you ship
The countries we are unable to ship to include Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sierra Leone, Palestinian Territories, Russia, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Crimea Ukraine.