Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... Hey Everyone, I noticed that Makerbot are making two new kinds of filaments: Flexible Dissolvable (HIPS) Which dissolved in Limonene What do we think about this? How do you think this will affect Reprap and 3d printing in general? [www.3dppvd.org] [www.makerbot.com] [www.makerbot.com] https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251680#msg-251680 Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:12:04 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,269531#msg-269531 Re: Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,269531#msg-269531 [www.perstorp.com]

They have 1kg samples and it's biodegradable and pretty non-toxic from the looks of it, in case anyone wants to do some experimenting.]]> Eric Young General Wed, 20 Nov 2013 00:29:40 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,254031#msg-254031 Re: Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,254031#msg-254031 grumpenstein General Fri, 11 Oct 2013 18:43:41 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,253991#msg-253991 Re: Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,253991#msg-253991
I was thinking the same thing but couldn't find any links at the time of my post, so I left it out. If it's true that drastically decreases the appeal of the material, given its low melting point. Sure with MBI would post some technical details on their materials, rather than just "look at this new magical mystery material!"]]> crispy1 General Fri, 11 Oct 2013 16:34:01 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,253933#msg-253933 Re: Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,253933#msg-253933
You can find good info here:
[reprap.org]

Some people might be more familiar with it under the name "polymorph" or "instamorph" and other similar names for a low-temp manipulatable modelling plastic. You can buy it on amazon as granules.]]> SanjayM General Fri, 11 Oct 2013 12:54:39 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,253762#msg-253762 Re: Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,253762#msg-253762 jebba General Thu, 10 Oct 2013 23:44:37 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251846#msg-251846 Re: Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251846#msg-251846
I found that unless I use new uncontaminated limonene it will severely weaken and sometimes distort the ABS parts, so I cannot re-use the limonene. For every kG of HIPS I will probably need a few litres of limonene unless I can purify and re-use it.

At first I used to just use the same limonene over and over again until it became so dense that it would not dissolve any more HIPS but then I started to realise how much damage it was causing and later figured out that it was only used limonene that caused the damage. Fresh limonene out of the bottle seems to cause no ill effect.


For flexible filament I've seen somewhere (on youtube I think) that you can make parts out of PLA and then dunk them in some solvent, I think it was carburettor cleaner but not sure. After some time soaking they become very flexible, enough to make things such as drive belts, tyres and such.


Edit: just found the prices I paid for HIPS - it is actually more expensive than ABS - Euro 48 + 19 for shipping from Italy compared to the latest ABS filemanet I bought at Eur 26 + 19 for shipping from Denmark]]> lister6520 General Sat, 05 Oct 2013 05:09:50 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251713#msg-251713 Re: Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251713#msg-251713 akhlut General Fri, 04 Oct 2013 16:44:30 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251695#msg-251695 Re: Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251695#msg-251695 What I'm saying is, with makerbot's marketshare and popularity among people like architects etc, will the reprap begin to adopt this as a standard, because currently everything's experimental

Have I got this wrong, is makerbot merely putting it on sale as an experiment, or actually supporting and recommending it?]]> j4ysen General Fri, 04 Oct 2013 15:51:19 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251692#msg-251692 Re: Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251692#msg-251692
Quote

When makerbot adopts this as their own idea, reprap will soon follow, right?

LOL no. As usual, MBI is late to the ball game.]]> crispy1 General Fri, 04 Oct 2013 15:42:33 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251689#msg-251689 Re: Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251689#msg-251689 ultimachine.com] . Flexible materials have been available too. MakerBot isn't any sort of leader in 3D printing.]]> NewPerfection General Fri, 04 Oct 2013 15:38:24 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251683#msg-251683 Re: Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251683#msg-251683
Well I guess it isn't new, but it isn't popular though..
When makerbot adopts this as their own idea, reprap will soon follow, right?]]> j4ysen General Fri, 04 Oct 2013 15:21:23 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251681#msg-251681 Re: Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251681#msg-251681
This kind of stuff isn't new though, hasn't it been available(expensively) from other companies for years?]]> Yvan General Fri, 04 Oct 2013 15:15:35 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251680#msg-251680 Makerbot's new 'Flex' and dissolvable filaments... https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,251680,251680#msg-251680 I noticed that Makerbot are making two new kinds of filaments:
  • Flexible
  • Dissolvable (HIPS) Which dissolved in Limonene

What do we think about this? How do you think this will affect Reprap and 3d printing in general?


[www.3dppvd.org]
[www.makerbot.com]
[www.makerbot.com]]]> j4ysen General Fri, 04 Oct 2013 15:07:48 -0400