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3D Printing Nylon

28/11/2022

What is 3D printing nylon and what are the benefits

3D printing nylon is becoming more and more popular due to its many benefits. Nylon filament is strong and durable, making it perfect for 3d printing large objects...

3D Printing Nylon3D Printing Nylon

Nylon 3D printing is also very accurate, making it a great choice for detailed prints.

This blog post will discuss the benefits of 3d printing nylon and how to get started with this versatile material.

What really is nylon 6

versatile 3d printing
Nylon 6 FDM

Nylon 6 [FDM] is a strong and durable 3D printing material that is perfect for large objects. Its accuracy and detail make it ideal for 3D printing small, delicate parts. Nylon 6 , 3D printing is also becoming more popular due to its many benefits.

Chemical Composition

The American chemical company, DuPont, first invented nylon in the early 1927s.

However, it wasn't until recent years that Nylon was developed for commercial usage. Nowadays, you can find features of Nylon in many industries. Nylon is a type of plastic that falls under the category of polyamides. They are usually semi-crystalline and very sturdy.

There are many different types of nylon, but the most common ones are Nylon 6, and Nylon 11, Nylon 12. It is a thermoplastic material, which means it becomes soft when heated or liquid when heated beyond its melting point and hardens on cooling.

This heating and cooling process can be carried out multiple times without significantly affecting the chemical or mechanical properties of the material.

Nylon material can be mixed with other plastics to create composites, which often enhances their key characteristics.

This technique is commonly used in the automotive industry, and some of the most common composites used in 3D printing are glass-filled nylon and carbon-fiber-filled nylon.

Nylon's versatility makes it perfect for a variety of manufacturing processes, including injection molding, extrusion, and additive manufacturing (FDM, SLS & MJF).

Advantages of nylon 3D printing

surface finish
Nylon 12 [MJF]

There are many advantages to 3D printing with nylon, including its strength and durability. Nylon is one of the most popular 3D printing materials due to its versatility - it can be used for a wide range of applications from prototyping to end-use parts. Nylon filament is also relatively easy to print with, making it a great choice for both beginner and experienced 3D printers.

One of the biggest advantages of 3D printing with nylon is its strength. Nylon is a tough material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear, making it ideal for 3D printed parts that will be subject to heavy use. Nylon is also relatively lightweight, making it ideal for 3D printed parts that need to be strong but lightweight.

Another advantage of nylon 3D printing is its durability. Nylon is resistant to both heat and chemicals, making it an ideal material for applications where parts will be exposed to highly heated bed temperatures or harsh chemicals. Nylon is also a fairly low-maintenance 3D printing material, meaning that it does not require much post-processing after printing.

Overall, nylon is a great 3D printing material due to its strength, durability, and versatility. If you are looking for a 3D printing material that can withstand heavy use and exposure to harsh conditions, nylon is a great choice.

Common Challenges with Nylon 3D Printing

3d printing materials
Nylon 12 [MJF]

A challenge that often comes with 3D printing nylon is that it's hygroscopic. In other words, it readily absorbs moisture from the air. If the filament is left exposed to high humidity for even a short period of time, it can become "wet." When this happens, dimensional accuracy and part strength may be compromised during the printing process.

Because of this, it is key to keep the nylon filament in a dry area. FDM 3D printers used by professionals are usually enclosed so that moisture is not an issue, but for new users working with DIY or less expensive desktop printers, the material is exposed while printing and therefore more likely to be affected by moisture.

When nylon absorbs moisture, it heats up as it passes through the heater. This moisture forms bubbles that eventually burst during the heating process and leave visible gaps in 3D printed parts decreasing output quality. Moreover, nylon is known to cause warping. Warping occurs when the cooling of the print is not even, and as a result, the print curls away from the build plate and distorts the printed object.

By glueing your print bed and using a heated bed, you can avoid having your prints sticking halfway through the printing process. As an extra precaution, the cooling fans can be switched off (all slicers have options to switch off fans during printing) while printing with nylon.

It is also recommended that printing nylon is conducted in a well-ventilated area due to its chemical composition.

Some other disadvantages

surface finish
Nylon 12 [SLS]

➜ Hygroscopic: Nylon is hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs moisture from the air which can affect its print quality and ultimately the part performance.

➜Before drying: Nylon needs to be dried completely of any moisture it has absorbed, which takes extra effort, equipment, and time. If the drying is not done correctly or thoroughly enough, then the print will show gaps or holes when 3D printed.

Solutions to Nylon 3D Printing

Affordable professional 3D printers, such as the MakerBot method, have many features that enable easy and consistent 3D printing with nylon. The heated build chamber is just one example of these advanced professional features. By enclosing the Build Chamber, we minimize warping and inconsistent cooling during the print. The Build Chamber can also be used to dry filament on the spool prior to printing.

Another appealing feature is sealed material bays, which keep the contents inside isolated from the surrounding area. Consider these two additions when purchasing a 3D printer if you prefer nylon printing material; they will likely fix most, if not all problems typically experienced with nylon 3D printing.

What products are nylon used to print

Common items that are 3D printed with nylon filament include prototypes, functional parts, and tooling. Nylon is also frequently used to 3D print end-use products such as eyewear frames, phone cases, and drone parts.

Nylon is an ideal 3D printing material due to its strength and durability. Nylon also has strong chemical resistance and can withstand high melting temperatures, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Some of the most common 3D printers used to print nylon are FDM 3D printers. FDM 3D printers use a filament of nylon that is melted and extruded through a nozzle to build up parts layer by layer.

If you are looking for a 3D printing material that is strong, durable, and versatile, nylon is an excellent choice.

SLS 3D printing

selective laser sintering sls
  • SLS (selective laser sintering ) 3D printers are ideal for anyone who wants all of the benefits nylon has to offer in their professional or industrial parts.
  • SLS is the best 3D printing technology for tough jigs and fixtures, lightweight components, and functional spare parts that you need quickly. Of all the materials used in SLS printing, nylon is by far the most popular.
  • SLS printers use a powerful laser to fuse tiny particles of nylon into solid shapes. Injected molded nylon is expensive and can be difficult to come by, but 3D printing provides a much more affordable solution for businesses or individuals who need unique parts or tools in small quantities.

3D printing permits you to streamline several parts into one piece and print precise designs that can't be made with injection molding or CNC machining.

What is nylon filament good for?

3D printing materials
Nylon 12 [MJF]

Nylon 3D printing filament is a durable, versatile material that can be used for a variety of applications. Nylon is strong and flexible, making it ideal for creating parts that need to withstand high stress or repeated use.

It also has a low friction coefficient, which makes it ideal for 3D printed bearings and other moving parts. Nylon 3D printing filament is available in a variety of colours: black, white, and natural, allowing you to create parts that are both functional and stylish.

3D printing with this material

There are a few things to keep in mind when 3D printing with nylon. Nylon is a thermoplastic, meaning it will soften and deform when heated. This can cause problems if your 3D printer doesn't have a heated build platform, as the nylon print can warp during cooling.

It's also important to use the correct infill percentage when 3D printing with nylon, as too much infill, can make the part too brittle.

When 3D printing with nylon filament, we recommend using a printer with a heated build platform and an infill percentage of 20-30%. We also recommend using a brim or raft to help keep your print from warping. Following these guidelines will help you get the best results when 3D printing with nylon.

Common uses of nylon filaments

Due to its high strength, durable and versatile properties nylon filaments are an ideal solution for engineers, designers and manufacturers who are looking for multiple mechanical applications for the same product in one printer. Among the common applications for nylon, filaments are 3D prototypes, 3D tooling, 3D printing of functional parts and 3D printing of end-use products such as eyewear frames, phone cases and drone parts.

Can all 3D printers use nylon?

selective laser sintering sls
Nylon 11 [SLS]

No, most 3D printing systems are incapable of printing nylons. Nylon makes printing very difficult because many low-cost printers designed specifically for printing PLA or ABS will never get there with them. The 3D printers that are up to the task tend to be considerably more expensive, and usually require special care and feeding to get the best results.

When 3D printing with nylon it is important to use a printer that has a heated build platform, as the nylon print can warp during cooling.

Some of the best-recommended printers for nylon

Ultimaker S5

Ultimaker S5
image from [www.ultimaker.com/3d-printers/ultimaker-s5]

The Ultimaker S5 is the best 3D printer that Ultimaker offers. It comes with features that make it perfect for printing industrial prototypes and end-use components.

The Ultimaker S5 is a 3D printer that offers two extruders, a large print volume of 330 x 240 x 300 mm, and swappable print cores. With its removable glass bed, you can also utilize advanced materials such as NylonX, Polycarbonate, and Polypropylene.

Claytex's airflow manager add-on prevents extreme temperature swings while printing with Nylon - decreasing the odds of your prints warping. The material station lets you keep spare filament tidy and dry, so it's always usable.

The Ultimaker S5 is equipped to handle Nylon printing easily, due to the machine's great features and high-end components. Additionally, it prints just as well with PETG and PLA filament. To sum up, the Ultimaker S5 is a top-tier 3D printer that will provide excellent results every time it can fulfil nearly all FDM 3D printing needs.

Flashforge Adventurer 4

Flashforge Adventurer 4
image from [www.flashforge.com/product-detail/flashforge-adventurer-4-3d-printer]

The Flashforge Adventurer 4, 3D printer is an updated version of the popular Adventurer 3 / 3 Pro model. It retains many of the original features while also improving in areas related to design and user experience.

The product offers a fully-enclosed print chamber to maintain stability while printing and a HEPA 13 air filtration system to keep any harmful 3D printer fumes away, which is especially useful when working with Nylon filament.

Not to mention, the Adventurer 4 has an interchangeable nozzle design so you can effortlessly swap between high-temperature nozzles. Plus, there's a flexible metal printing plate included that makes it a breeze to remove your prints.

The Adventure 4 is the perfect 3D printer for novices, enthusiasts, and professionals. Its excellent filtration system allows you to use it indoors without risking any harmful substances being emitted into the air near kids or pets. You'll love all of its features, and how safe it is to operate.

QIDI Tech X-Plus

QIDI Tech X-Plus
image from [www.3djake.uk/qidi-tech/x-plus]

The QIDI Tech X-Plus is one of the few 2-in-1 3D printers that can print with both basic and advanced materials. It has two separate direct-drive extruders and bed surfaces, each configured for different printing materials.

With this printer, you get two extruders and two different types of print surfaces. The first extruder can reach up to 250°C and is meant to be used with the textured PLA, ABS, or PETG surface. The second hotend-extruder setup's maximum temperature is 300°C . It should be paired with the smooth bed surface on the other side of the printing bed in order to 3D print using Nylon, PC, or Carbon Fiber filaments.

The dual Z-axis setup provides more stable and accurate printing, while the enclosed spool holder is especially useful when using Nylon filament.

The Tech X-Plus 200 has a build height of 200mm, making it unsuitable for people who need to print tall Nylon 3D prints.

The QIDI Tech X-Plus 3D Printer is a great choice for anyone who needs a versatile and reliable printer. With its easy-to-use features and hot end switching capabilities, it offers a great printing experience for hobbyists and professionals alike.

Flashforge Adventurer 3

Flashforge Adventurer 3
image from [www.flashforge.com/product-detail/flashforge-adventurer-3-3d-printer]

Value is important to everyone and the Flashforge Adventurer 3 fully-enclosed 3D printer was designed with that in mind. Its easy use makes it perfect for beginners while its intuitive interface and excellent feature set give you plenty of reasons to love it.

The Adventurer 3 comes with an interchangeable nozzle design that lets you increase the default nozzle set up to a high-temperature nozzle of 265 °C. Doing this allows you to print with ABS, PETG, PC, and Nylon. Additionally, its heated print bed and enclosure work together to maintain passively heated stability improving printing quality overall.

The Adventurer 3 from Flashforge is an excellent 3D printer for under $400 that comes with automatic filament loading, an inbuilt camera, and remote monitoring. These features greatly benefit the user experience by making it more efficient and safe, especially for beginners.

Matterhackers pulse XE

Matterhackers pulse XE
image from [www.treatstock.co.uk/machines/item/443-pulse-xe-nylonx-3d-printer]

If you're looking for a printer that can handle NylonX filament, the Matterhackers pulse XE is a great option. It comes with a hardened steel nozzle and a specially engineered bed surface that can withstand temperatures up to 300 °C.

The Pulse XE gives you plenty of wonderful features, including a Prusa i3 style open-frame design and a BLTouch levelling sensor for ease of use. The print surface is also textured with Garolite to ensure better print adhesion with Nylon, plus it's durable enough to last through many print cycles. Furthermore, the Pulse XE uses only the best components that are currently available on the market in order to deliver stunningly high-quality 3D prints every time.

The Pulse XE is a great value for under $1000, with its many features and excellent print quality. It's the best Nylon 3D printer on the market. If you're printing needs are hefty and require a professional-grade Nylon 3D printer, the Pulse XE is your ideal choice.

Dremel DigiLab 3D45

Dremel DigiLab 3D45
image from [www.scan.co.uk]

The Dremel DigiLab 3D45 is a user-friendly 3D printer that arrives from a reputable tool manufacturer. Even beginners can easily manoeuvre this machine when printing with more intricate materials such as Nylon, PC, and Carbon Fiber.

With 9-point automatic bed levelling, the DigiLab 3D45 offers an easy first-layer adhesion. Its hot end can reach up to 280°C, and the maximum print bed temperature is 110°C for high-quality prints with filaments such as ABS and Nylon that require high temperatures.

The 3D45 printer comes with an additional 30 lesson plans to help improve the educational experience in classrooms. The intuitive touchscreen makes it easy for students to access all of the features, and the design is focused on safety.

Though the Dremel DigiLab 3D45 is intended for classrooms, don't be discouraged from using it for your prototyping hobbies or professional purposes. With its many capabilities and advanced printing abilities, this machine is just as good if not better than some of the other popular 3D printers on the market. However, do keep in mind that it comes with a significant price tag; in fact, it's one of the most expensive Nylon-based machines available right now.

Raise3D Pro 2

Raise3D Pro 2
image from [www.raise3d.com/products/pro2-3d-printer/]

The Raise3D Pro 2 is a top-of-the-line, fully enclosed 3D printer with dual extruders, ideal for professional use. It comes equipped with a large print volume of 305 x 305 x 300 mm, perfect for those who want to print in Nylon or other larger materials.

With a maximum temperature of 300 °C for the hot end and 110 °C for the heated bed, this 3D printer lets you use Nylon, PLA, Carbon Fiber, and PC. You can also do multi-material printing with dual extruders, for example, using soluble supports.

The Pro 2 from Raise3D comes equipped with a HEPA filtration system, a filament sensor, and a 32-bit mainboard all features which work to improve the user experience. At $3999, this product is geared towards professional users.

The Raise3D Pro 2 is one of the best Nylon 3D printers and missing none of the features that make its competitors great. It's perfect to use professionally or even in large print farms due to its high efficiency and productivity.

Considerations

selective laser sintering sls
Nylon 11 [SLS]

There are a few things to consider before 3D printing with nylon filament. Nylon is a versatile material that can be used for a variety of applications, but it does have some limitations. Here are a few things to keep in mind when 3D printing with nylon:

-Nylon is a thermoplastic, so it will soften and deform when exposed to high temperatures. This means that nylon is not well suited for applications where it will be exposed to high temperatures, such as in an engine or in direct sunlight.

-Nylon is also susceptible to moisture. This means that 3D-printed parts made from nylon may warp or become deformed if they are exposed to high humidity or water.

-Nylon is a strong material, but it is also brittle. This means that 3D printed parts made from nylon can be susceptible to breakage if they are subject to too much force.

-Nylon has a low melting point, so it can be difficult to 3D print with nylon using conventional 3D printers. This is because the filament can start to deform at lower temperatures than other materials.

-Nylon is not biodegradable, so it is not a good choice for 3D printing applications where environmental sustainability is a concern.

Overall, nylon is a versatile material that has many advantages and disadvantages. Keep these things in mind when 3D printing with nylon to ensure that your parts are successful.

Not all HotEnds are created equal

Almost every 3D printer has a hot end which uses PEEK and PTFE. Breaks down below 240 degrees and can cause burns and ozone toxicity.

If successful printing is possible in nylon a heated can reach a temperature of at least 300°C. You may be unsure how to 3D Print nylon.

The E3D V6 is a high-quality metal hot end for machines because its all-metal construction enables a safety and temperature of up to 300°C.

Heated bed

The high-temperature hot end and the heated bed are essential when printing with Nylon filament.

The heated bed provides better print surface adhesion of Nylon while also passively heating the print area. This results in more stable printing temperatures, therefore reducing warping with Nylon prints.

With Nylon filament, you need to set your bed temperature between 70°C and 90°C. The optimal temperature varies depending on the brand something you can figure out through trial and error or by reading the recommended temperatures in the product documentation.

When you're picking a print surface, in addition to the heated bed, you'll want to consider the actual printing surface itself. For example, Garolite provides good bed adhesion while glass can withstand high temperatures both of which are important when using Nylon filament which needs a temperature around 70 degrees Celsius to print properly.

Remote monitoring

Nylon is not only more expensive than other filament materials, like PLA, ABS, and PETG it's also difficult to 3D print. And if something does go wrong during the printing process (poor bed adhesion, for example), it often results in material losses and wasted filament which leads to decreased productivity overall.

A remote monitoring setup includes a camera and Wi-Fi connection to allow you to see the print progress from anywhere. If something goes wrong, you can quickly fix it without wasting materials.This 3D printer offers the flexibility to be away from the machine and continue with other work without worrying about the print’s status.

Build volume

One of the key features of a 3D printer is its build volume, which you should take into account if you want to print with Nylon filament.

Nylon filament creates prints that are mechanically sturdy and resistant to wear and tear, with a low coefficient of friction.

Having a large print volume for such applications will give you more freedom to print bigger models in a single piece. Implementing this will result in a more uniform print and consequently, better mechanical properties. You can also save time by printing larger display pieces as one part instead of post-processing multiple times.

Some frequently asked questions

Is nylon better than PLA?

Nylon is harder to chemically damage than ABS or PLA. However, its weak strength and rigidity prevent its use in manufacturing. In turn advancements in the 3D printer, technology has introduced nylon fibre blends allowing for the introduction of affordable industrial 3D printing.

Is nylon hard to print?

Nylon fibres have one major disadvantage as the hygroscopic are highly absorbent and they are easily absorbable from the surroundings if needed. When printing nylon it can cause multiple issues with print quality, therefore preserving filaments is important and requires extra care.

What is nylon filament good for?

Nylon makes excellent choices when creating 3D printing tools, functional prototypes and end users. Nylon has special mechanical properties that allow for the production of durable, rigid and strong materials. Nylon-polymer flanges require heat that can reach 450 degrees Celsius in most cases.

What type of nylon is used for 3D printing?

The most commonly utilized SLS nylon is PA 11 or PA 12. The powdered PA 12 is used on parts that require UV and braking protection while PA 12 is recommended to improve component strength.

Does nylon stick to PLA?

Test the materials to confirm that Nylon sticks to PLA, and then test again to check if PLA will stick to Nylon. There had been a success in printing Nylon with HD glass as support. The two materials don't adhere well together.

Conclusion

versatile 3d printing
Nylon 12 [MJF]

In conclusion, Nylon 3D printing is a great option for those looking for a durable and versatile material. Nylon filament is strong and can be used to create parts that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Nylon 3D printing is relatively easy and straightforward, making it a great choice for those new to 3D printing. With its wide range of applications, nylon 3D printing is sure to become a popular choice for many 3D printers.

Therefore, we hope this blog has helped you with your understanding of Nylon, thank you for reading.

Author Natalia Zalikowska

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