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)

  • @roofuskitEnglish
    8•15 hours 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.

    • @DkarmaEnglish
      3•14 hours ago

      This was my first question how the hell do you do retraction???

      • @evidencesEnglish
        1•8 hours ago

        I mean the same way, retraction isn’t pulling the molten filament out of the nozzle in FDM so I’m either filament or peeler based extrusion you just run it in reverse briefly.

      • dual_sport_dork 🐧🗡️English
        2•14 hours ago

        A little vacuum pump, like a carburetor on a motorcycle from the 70’s? Hell if I know, but that’s my idea.