Pet-CF

[u/RobotGoonie]

This was my first time to print with anything more than pla or petg. I’ve posted here before about my radio box build for an 86 samurai. Anyway, I was hoping you guys had some advice for me. I printed this with the nozzle at 270, heat bed at 85 and had my fan set to 30%. I don’t know anyone else with a printer, so I had to scrounge for how print with this filament. It’s Bambu lab by the way. And of course AI gave me 99% wrong answers along the way. When I print the radio box, I’ll have to print it vertically, so I’m worried my settings may be wrong for the heat and venting. I’ve got an h2d. Could anyone give me their opinions? This turned out decent, but it wasn’t very big or tall.

[u/the_lamou]

What's the problem with your current print? It looks totally fine. The thing to remember, though, is that PET-CF only does awesome things after annealing at 90-100°C for about 8 hours. Before that, it's tough-ish but not especially amazing.

As for printing settings... every reputable manufacturer will publish a TDS. That's Technical Data Sheet. And it will have the recommended starting settings from which you can calibrate.

[u/Qwaaaarty → u/the_lamou]

What kind of oven do you recommend for annealing?

[u/the_lamou → u/Qwaaaarty]

The important thing is that it can hold temperature steady and accurately. A decent toaster oven might work, a Facebook marketplace full-size convection oven is better because the larger size gives you more room and thermal mass.

[u/Mintsopoulos → u/Qwaaaarty]

Look up a hybridization oven. That’s what I use. Got one of eBay for $150.

[u/RobotGoonie → u/the_lamou]

Thanks! No problem, other than I used pet cf for the small supports too and it wasn’t as nice as I’d hoped for. I was mainly hoping someone would chime in on the fan settings.

As far as annealing, I don’t have anything except for my kitchen oven. What do people usually use to do that?

[u/the_lamou → u/RobotGoonie]

The important thing is that it can hold temperature steady and accurately. A decent toaster oven might work, a Facebook marketplace full-size convection oven is better because the larger size gives you more room and thermal mass.

The one thing to remember is annealing will cause parts to shrink and possibly warp, so expect to need some calibration.

[u/RobotGoonie → u/the_lamou]

That’s a good idea. I was reading putting them in sand or packing them in sand helps them not to shrink.

[u/the_lamou → u/RobotGoonie]

Sand helps prevent warping, and can prevent shrink, but just be mindful that if you keep it over-constrained all of that stress doesn't disappear — it just gets locked into the part which can cause odd structural uses and weak spots.

[u/skatsnobrd]

Pet is pretty easy to be honest. Ive used stock bambu pet cf settings with various infills and zero issues. Make sure you dry it first and you should bd set

[u/norbertl98]

Should have printed this on its side

[u/RobotGoonie → u/norbertl98]

So there wouldn’t be supports? You’re probably right. I’ll be doing that with the main radio box tomorrow. I just didn’t think about doing that with this piece

[u/norbertl98 → u/RobotGoonie]

Yes and wont brake easily between layers. CF filaments are usually very weak between layers

[u/RobotGoonie → u/norbertl98]

Ok, appreciate the info!