I saw a 3d printer using plastic pellets instead of filament.

Is this a good idea? Because I never saw anyone doing this.

Seller says “in this way it won’t run out of filament” but I have the impression of imprecise extrusions (machine was fitted with a big 0.8mm nozzle)

  • cmnybo@discuss.tchncs.de
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    4 months ago

    Pellet printing is usually used in larger printers. You can get much higher flow rates and the pellets are cheaper than filament. That’s good when your build volume is measured in cubic meters and you are using many kilograms of plastic in one print.

    • roofuskit@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      There are downsides as well. High throughput pellet feeding hot ends are insanely expensive. But there are practical issues as well, retraction can be really tough to dial in.