And so it begins
My Journey with Timemass Filaments
I’ve been 3D printing for a while now, but getting my hands on Timemass Filaments honestly changed the way I think about printing. These aren’t your standard spools of plastic—they each have their own personality, and using them feels more like experimenting than just making things.
TimeMass: What It Is and How to Print It
TimeMass isn't your average 3D printer filament. Unlike common plastics like PLA, it's designed to dissolve over time when it gets wet. Think of it like a special sugar that you can print with. This unique quality makes it perfect for things that you want to disappear later, like a temporary support for a print or even a piece of soap.
However, because it’s made to dissolve, it's also very sensitive to moisture in the air. This means you have to be extra careful with how you store and prepare it.
Packaging and Storing TimeMass
Keep It Dry! This is the most important rule. You must store TimeMass in a container that's sealed tight so no air can get to it. If it absorbs moisture from the air, it won't print right and might get clogged.
Use Desiccants: Place a small packet of silica gel (those little packets that often come with new shoes) inside the container with the filament. These packets will suck up any moisture that might be trapped inside.
Getting Ready to Print
Before you can print with TimeMass, you have to "bake" it to get rid of any moisture it's already absorbed.
Dry It Out: Use a filament dryer or a food dehydrator. A regular oven isn't recommended because it's hard to control the low heat needed, and you could accidentally melt the filament.
Drying Temperature: Set your dryer to a low temperature, around 55°C (131°F).
How Long to Dry: It needs a long time to dry out completely. You may have to leave it in the dryer for 24 hours or even longer.
Printing with TimeMass
Once the filament is dry, you're ready to print. Just be aware that the settings will be different from what you're used to.
Hotter Nozzle: You'll need to print at a higher temperature than with a typical filament. The best temperature is usually between 220°C and 225°C (428-437°F).
Bigger Nozzle: To avoid clogs, it's best to use a larger nozzle, like a 0.8mm size. Standard 0.4mm nozzles can cause a lot of problems.
Heated Bed: You need a heated print bed, set to 60-75°C (140-167°F). This helps the first layer stick well.
Go Slow: Don't rush your print. A slow speed of around 30mm/s works best.
Minimal Retraction: Change your printer's settings to use very little retraction (the motion where the filament is pulled back into the nozzle). This helps prevent clogs and stringing.
TimeMass is a great material for creative projects, but it's not a simple filament to use. It requires patience and a willingness to adjust your printer's settings to get good results.
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