So, this weekend I was helping my best friend get started with 3d printing. Got him setup with a P1S/AMS. He’s a busy and not very tech savvy guy, so despite being into the idea of 3d printing, he’s avoided it for a long time. Finally convinced him to give it a try.
Talking about the sort of filaments he’d probably use, we settled on ASA.
I have never printed with ASA, and while it’s suppose to be a better ABS, that doesn’t mean I have any clue what I’m doing. Uggh, and I’m trying to help my friend feel more comfortable with the whole process, but I feel like I’m also stabbing in the dark trying to make a good time of it.
I had him model up a little part and we printed it. First one came up from the bed. Dang it. The second one sticked though. Tried a textured PEI bed and a smooth PEI. I don’t even know what the ideal for ASA would be. I saw a tiny bit of warping, and I’m not even sure if that’s the ASA, or something with the setup. Shoot, I mean, I’ve printed with ABS a lot, and I know they’re suppose to be similar, but that doesn’t mean it will be.
I hope I did a good job. I’m about 10ish years into my 3d printing journey, and of course with all that experience, I go and try to help a friend with a filament choice I have 0 experience in.
I also did my first mod of a Bambu printer too though. I installed a Bento Box in that thing for him. I ended up feeding the wire through the back to a little junction box I can use to expand with a riser-led light. Not super fancy as far as mods go, but it’ll do.
Anyway, granted this isn’t the most exciting off topic. I just had to yell out into the world a little to say, I hope I didn’t lead someone astray.
i use the engineering plate (yep still have one of those ) i also preheat the printer setting the bed temperature 30mins before printing, and then just let it do it’s thing
if the design as a very large flat surface with sharper corners, i don’t risk and just put some 3DLAC on it, no lifts guaranteed
ASA definitely prints more easily than ABS. But both are difficult to print successfully, particularly larger parts where the forces that cause warping are usually greater.
If you’re going to use your H2D laser on a print, ASA produces less toxic (but still toxic) gasses than ABS (ABS produces Cyanide gas when it burns). The data on the web also suggests ASA outgasses less harmful VOCs than ABS when extruded.
I use ASA a lot. It’s a great choice for parts that have to be exposed to the elements. It’s also good for functional parts (that need to be strong). But if you don’t have a reason to use it (or another “engineering” filament like Nylon, which is also hard to print without warping), as suggested by others, PLA is less expensive and far, far easier to print with.
He lives out on a farm. Considering the sort of applications he would use it for, ASA seemed like the best filament choice. One of the main projects he was thinking was a basket thing he would mount on his tractor to hold his gloves. So, lots of weather conditions and outside a lot. ASA, right??
The first print we did too was a practical print. Some hooks to hold some chains in his garage.
I did have him pick up some PLA and PETG-HF too. I told him PLA would be good at least to do the prototype/test prints in.
Yeah this is what I worry! Some of his project ideas push those boundaries. I advised him to do like h3li0 mentioned with the pre-heating the bed. That’s typically what I did, and it worked well for me. I’m gonna further advise on brims though, mouse ears, etc like lion7718 eluded too.
That’s exactly the combo. That and the UV resistance.
And there we have it! My buddy’s second print ever. Using Bambu’s Black ASA.
Goes to show how awesome the P1S is, I think. This dude was very hesitant to get into 3d printing, but bang, just a few days in and he’s realizing his dreams for what he wants to make, isn’t that crazy!
) i also preheat the printer setting the bed temperature 30mins before printing, and then just let it do it’s thing