Desktop 3D printing’s evolution often mirrors paths followed by other home technologies in the past. Because it is about “printing” it evolves similarly to 2D inkjet printing. Because it is also about 3D, it sometimes evokes 3D based digital technologies. For example video game consoles. Remember how you had to buy that disc to clean your PlayStations’s lens? Well, now you can buy filament to clean your 3D printer’s extruder.
Shenzhen-based filament e-tailer Esun has just launched its first cleaning filament. It comes in a semi-transparent white colour and it is the first filament designed specifically to clean the 3D printer’s nozzle by directly removing residual material inside the it.
Its melting temperature range is between 160° and 280° and it can be applied to avoid nozzle plugging issues during the transition between filaments with higher and lower melting points. It does this by preventing degradation of the lower temperature material and/or removing the plug left over by the higher temperature filament.
Finally, just like the old lens cleaning CD, it can be used for regular maintenance of the printer head.
Esun sells the cleaning 1.75 mm diameter filament in sections of 150mm and packs of 100 pieces. Feel free to contact them for a quotation on wholesale pricing.
