Arnitel

Introduction

According to 3D printing blog, “Arnitel is a high-performance ThermoPlastic Copolyester (TPC) that offers you a unique combination of flexibility, high temperature resistance and strength. Arnitel Eco is manufactured using renewable feedstock, in fact 50% of its content comes from renewable resources, and in particular, rapeseed oil instead of mineral oil. This elastic product outperforms conventional rubbers according to the manufacturer across a variety of applications, and is available in hardnesses ranging from 40 to 70 Shore D. The Arnitel Eco 3D printer filament can be used with any 3D printer that supports PLA filaments as you need to have an extruder temperature of about 230 degrees Celsius for the Arnitel when printing, the same as for PLA.”

Printing tips

Using a Felix 2.0 printer

• Since Arnitel Eco doesn't stick well to the platform (it gets loose once it cools down), you will have to apply the whole bag of tricks:
  • heat the bed as much as you can, e.g. 70 degrees (however, the bed temperature for Arnitel D-45 rather should be around 110)
  • make sure that the print head is very close to the platform (1 sheet of paper),
  • You also should add a raft (underneath and extended at least 1 cm, so you can tape it down if gets loose
  • Print slower than for PLA printing, e.g. at 50 - 75% (but not too slow, or the extruder may clog)
  • Maybe add cooling loops (print circling without printing)
  • Add some sticky tape (so far I didn't try since I don't have any at hand).
  • Fan must be on of course

• Temperature: 220 ? ... though some folks seem to print with 205 degrees

• 0.2mm layers

Alternatives

• NinjaFlex and SemiFlex (made by [http://www.fennerdrives.com/ninjaflex3dprinting/_/3d/// Fenner Drives)

• Flex filament

Links

• Arnitel (Felix Printer Forum thread)
• Arnitel Eco page at DSM (producer)