The countdown to Christmas continues with our 25 Days of Materials, up next is ABS.

Tis the season to be jolly, join the Wolfpack in a fun 25 Days of Materials 3D printing countdown to Christmas and learn about 25 different materials and their unique properties! The objects to be 3D printed are part of the Advent Calendar/Christmas Tree designed by pleppik. Everyday we will be unveiling a new part of the Advent Calendar and talking about a different special 3D printing material.

DAY 21: BURNING LOGS. 3D PRINTING WITH ABS

Following the Wolfpack’s 25 Days of Materials 3D printing countdown are some Burning Logs 3D printed with ABS. ABS is an ideal material for structural applications when impact resistance, strength, and stiffness are required. ABS is known as a thermoplastic, because it has the ability to become soft and moldable when heated and return to a solid when cooled.

 

 

Characteristics of ABS:

• Good strength and stiffness.
• Easy to paint and glue.
• Excellent impact resistance.
• Good aesthetic qualities.

Some applications of ABS:

• 3D Printers!
• Covers.
• Housings.
• Structural components.
• Machined prototypes.
• Support blocks.
• Luggage.
• Camera bodies.
• Radio cases.
• Power tool housings.
• Battery cases.

3D PRINTING WITH ABS: TIPS AND TRICKS

• We recommend setting your hot end temperature at around 235 and 255 °C when 3D printing with ABS.
• Set your bed temperature between 110 and 130 °C.
• Apply one coat of Wolfbite for ABS prior to heating the bed and ABS parts will stick firmly to the glass without warpage. One light coat of Wolfbite can be used for several prints. Airwolf 3D specially formulated the proprietary solution to not only promote excellent adhesion but also to make part removal easy. Once the 3D printed parts have cooled, they will dismount from the printing surface with minimal effort, leaving a clean and smooth bottom surface.

When switching ABS colors:

• Set the hot end temperature around 235 and 255 °C.
• When the hot end temperature reaches 235 or 255 °C remove the current filament.
• If you’re struggling with removing the filament, try increasing the hot end temperature.
• Load new filament normally.
• Run the new color through the extruded until it runs clean and the new color comes out. If you’re transitioning from a dark color to a light color you’ll need to extrude for a few minutes to make sure no contamination happens.

Finishing Techniques with ABS

Have you ever wondered how some 3D printed ABS parts appear super shiny?  Here is our blog for treating parts: 7 Steps to a Shiny Porcelain Finish on ABS Parts with Acetone.

Are you ready to start 3D Printing with ABS? Awesome!! You can buy some ABS filament at our shop.

 

MORE MATERIALS TO FOLLOW!

Below is a chart listing the 3D printing filaments we will be discussing over the next 25 Days of Materials.

Day 1: Nylon.
Day 2: HIPS.
Day 3: Stainless Steel PLA.
Day 4: PC-ABS.
Day 5: PETG.
Day 6: PLA.
Day 7: IGUS Iglidur.
Day 8: Coffee PLA.
Day 9: LAYBRICK.
Day 10: Bridge Nylon.
Day 11: LayWOO-D3.
Day 12: ALLOY 910.
Day 13: NinjaFlex TPE.
Day 14: Aromatic Pine PLA.
Day 15: Copperfill.
Day 16: ABS.
Day 17: Soft PLA.
Day 18: Polycarbonate.
Day 19: Wolfbend TPU.
Day 20: T-Glase.

Did you like this article about 3D Printing with ABS and are you interested in learning more about 3D printing materials? Then sign up for our newsletter to receive your daily dose of 3D printing material knowledge – happening only this month!

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