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Printing using paraffin as a support material?

Posted by pbannister 
Printing using paraffin as a support material?
June 09, 2019 06:17PM
Has anyone explored the use of paraffin as a support material?

I see use of waxes in 3D printing for mold-making, but not as support material. Seems to me that simple paraffin might serve as a recyclable support material, removed with a bit of heat. Also paraffin-soaked FDM prints have a better chance of proving air and/or water tight. (Not so good if you want to paint your prints.)

In mind, this is a heated upper chamber, forcing wax through a Teflon tube. (Low enough friction when solid?) Then heated again at the nozzle.
VDX
Re: Printing using paraffin as a support material?
June 09, 2019 08:11PM
... plastic won't stick to paraffin ...


Viktor
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Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]
ECJ
Re: Printing using paraffin as a support material?
June 10, 2019 09:13PM
With polycaprolactone (polymorph) could work.
Re: Printing using paraffin as a support material?
June 11, 2019 03:51PM
Fair enough, some adhesion is probably useful. On the other hand, when printing overhangs and bridging, we are in effect printing on air. Pretty sure even non-adhering wax offers better support than air.
Re: Printing using paraffin as a support material?
June 11, 2019 03:52PM
As the melting point of polycaprolactone is listed as 60C, and bed temperatures can be that or higher, looks like we what something with a higher melting point.
VDX
Re: Printing using paraffin as a support material?
June 11, 2019 04:02PM
... there are some low-temp-melting metal alloys -- "Roses metal" is less toxic than "Fields-" (Lead replacing Cadmium) and melts around 100 degC ... so could work for higher temp. melting materials ...


Viktor
--------
Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]
Re: Printing using paraffin as a support material?
June 12, 2019 09:34PM
When the hot filament hits the wax, it will melt the wax. It's unlikely the wax will support much in its melted state.
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