Nylon 645 Specifications
Nylon 645 is currently being used by CNC shops around the world to support quick turn prototypes for pre-pilot and pilot runs as well as production runs. As global supply compresses and just-in-time becomes just-a-little-late, more and more CNC shops are jumping in to fill quick turn needs.
645 is machinable with similar settings and cutting speeds as used in Cast Nylon blocks.
Thermal properties are slightly higher than Nylon 6,6 and Nylon 6,12.
Cutting tools need to be sharp.
Three flute flat end mills are preferred.
Holes to be drilled should be printed the next metric or imperial size down and no less than two perimeters when printing. A calculation should be made such that drilled holes do not encroach on fills and be contained within perimeters only.
645 does not leave any nylon dust residue during tap operations. However, 645 does cut and even with it's slippery properties, some "cuttings" can be retained in the tap'd hole, therefore, these should be cleaned using compressed air.
For tap'd holes that are used for threaded rod, where the rod will be constantly rotated, do NOT use any lubricants as they are not needed and over time will be soaked up into the fill area.
Locking chemicals for blind nuts do NOT work on 645, and as some contain acids, they will weaken bonding.
Tap quality and material thickness follow the same rule as for aluminum.
Threaded Brass Inserts work well when installed with a soldering iron set to 250C
Do NOT use water based solvents as 645 will take on some of the solvent and become discolored. - Permanently!
To adhere other parts to 645, they must also be made of 645 and bonded with "ComPlete Nylon Glue", heat gun or soldering iron.
Pliability of 645 follows the same size and density rules that apply to injection molded nylon for 100% fill parts.
For more pliability, you can reduce fill to something less than 100%
For less pliability in a smaller part, you can decrease the line dia. in the slicing SW. This will cause the printer to extrude more material than usual, thus filling all gaps, resulting in a less pliable part. For overall reduction in tensile, turn any fans that blow onto the part "ON".....Note, these should otherwise always be "OFF".
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Nylon 645 SDS | |
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General FAQ
What are the major differences to me if I print in 645 ?
There is almost no De-lamination. The bonding of thread-to-thread at the correct temperature is very impressive. Of course, even injection molded parts are subject to splitting at right angle transitions, but compared to ABS and PLA we know you will be impressed. 645 gives off no odor as compared to ABS. Residual odors come from the humidity (water) that boils or steams off during printing.
What makes 645 different from standard nylon?
Standard nylons have been tried in the past and failed due to very high temperatures and the lack of compression in RepRap type printers. The greatest amount of the strength and bonding of the nylons comes from the compression used in injection molding processes with dies. Of course RepRap type printers print with no compression at all, thus reducing bonding significantly.
645 uses a modification to the standard material chain resulting in a new co-polymer to dramatically enhance bonding. To accomplish this improved bonding and thermal uniformity during the 3D Printing process, both the new co-polymer and manufacturing method are unique to 645. The resistance to chemical degradation was also a top priority for 645 as the ability to 3D Print molds as well as operate in harsh environments was at the top of the list of material performance requirements. The final requirement for 645 was surface finish. As a material that can be used to print parts that in turn would be supplied directly to the end user/customer, 645 was to be instantly recognizable as a superior polymer.
Can I still print in High Resolution?
Absolutely.
I want to print parts in 645, what is the best printer to buy?
taulman3D is hardware neutral. This includes complete assemblies/Printers and sub-assemblies/Hot-Ends, extruders, etc.. As a "filament", 645 is designed to be used by all RepRap style/type 3D Printers. There are several great Forums and IRC Channels dedicated to helping new users.
What setting will I need to change in my skinning software?
Most testers found they only needed to make sure their idler tension was tight so the material didn't slip. Otherwise, it's install and print! Users with direct drive 1.75mm extruders found that a small increase in retraction distance helped to eliminate trailing threads.
Can I still use bridging?
Yes, in fact several testers report excellent results with bridging.
Can I print parts that have a smooth color luster?
Definitely! 645 delivers a beautiful printed finish.
How do I get prints to stick to my platform?
The best bonding is to coat clean glass with PVA (Elmers Glue All) and heat the glass to 45-50C. This creates a significant "tak" that should hold all prints in place.
Are there fumes and odors?
The taulman polyamide materials give off almost no odor as compared to ABS. Most residual odors come from the humidity (water) that boils or steams off during printing and 645 had no measurable HCN.
When printing with ABS, Nylon, PLA or any material, we are changing the state of elements with temperature, so make sure you vent all fumes and odors.
What will be the biggest differences in my part from being printed in ABS and then 645?
1. Strength. You will be amazed at the strength properties of 645. Some testers have reported 80%-100% fill is as strong as injection molded parts.
2. Weight....645 is lighter than ABS and PLA.
3. Pliability - A major advantage with 645 is the pliability that some of us have desired for a long time. From stretch in bands, to elasticity in support components. Pliability means that multi-part assemblies are more likely to work as designed with minimal filing, cutting and sanding. Springs can be completely compressed and return to a printed state.
4. Slippery Surface - 645 can eliminate collars, U-joints, washers, separate raceways and ball joints by using the materials slippery properties. Ball bearings that require no lubrication are easily printed. And most important, threaded holes that won't delaminate under pressure.
Is 645 FDA Approved?
No, as FDA approval is a very expensive undertaking. 645 is inert to the body and contains zero organics. 645 is also "indigestible" and will pass through the system.
What is the most "visible" printing difference I'll notice when printing with 645?
Shine or sheen from the translucent surface. This looks much different than PLA surfaces.
Will 645 foul my nozzle if I leave the heater on?
No! ...We've left our heaters on for over 8 hours after a print with no issues at all. We also commonly move back and forth from ABS to 645 with no issues at all. We just purge about 50mm's and start printing.
Is there any chemical that I should "not" use with 645?
Yes, any strong acids or Chlorine's/Bromine's can be a problem. They will break down the bonding of threads and weaken the printed part.
Will retraction work?
Yes! At most, you may have to increase your retraction distance an additional 2mm - 3mm.
Are there dyes I can use?
You can use any dye that is "acid based". Most textile dyes and some paper dyes are acid based. These are very light acids on the same pH level as vinegar.
Can I glue my 645 parts together?
Yes but choose glue type carefully.