NinjaFlex creates extremely flexible, strong prints, extending the capabilities of many of today’s best-selling 3D printers. Open your world to flexible prints with low-tack, easy-to-feed NinjaFlex filaments. NinjaFlex is a specially formulated thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), ideal for 3D printers with direct-drive extruders but also suitable for printing on other 3D printer such as the Ultimaker 2 if the speed is slowed down.
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Extruder Temperature
Recommended extruder temperature: 210-225°C (410-437°F)
Max. Temperature for Printed Parts
The recommended maximum temperature for NinjaFlex printed parts is 66°C (150°F)
Min. Temperature for Printed Parts
The recommended minimum temperature for NinjaFlex printed parts is -30°C (-22°F). Below this temperature, printed parts will become increasingly brittle and may shatter.
Platform Temperature
Recommended platform temperature: 20-50°C (68-122°F)
Print Speed
Recommended print speed: 30mm/s
Are there any special printer settings that need to be adjusted for NinjaFlex?
NinjaFlex generally works well at similar extruder settings to ABS; however, adjusting the printer’s retraction settings can improve stop/start print quality. Also, it may be necessary to reduce the print speed to approximately 30mm/s. What are the processing guidelines for NinjaFlex?
– Recommended extruder temperature: 210-225°C (410-437°F)
– Recommended platform temperature: 20-50°C (68-122°F)
– Recommended print speed: 30mm/s
What is the maximum recommended temperature for printed NinjaFlex parts?
The recommended maximum temperature for NinjaFlex printed parts is 66°C.
What is the minimum recommended temperature for printed NinjaFlex parts?
The recommended minimum temperature for NinjaFlex printed parts is -30°C. Below this temperature, printed parts will become increasingly brittle and may shatter.
Can NinjaFlex be used with support material?
Yes, NinjaFlex works well in prints with support material and can easily be removed once the print is complete.
Does NinjaFlex hold similar detail to ABS or PLA?
Yes, once printer settings are dialed in, NinjaFlex should deliver similar detail to rigid materials. For tall thin parts, supports may need to be designed-in to prevent the model from flexing as the print head traverses.
Are there any safety concerns or considerations when using NinjaFlex?
NinjaFlex should be used in a well-ventilated area according to recommended operating conditions. TPE products are capable of releasing small amounts of fumes at high temperatures. While these fumes are generally considered tolerable and less odorous than ABS, care should be taken to minimize exposure, particularly among sensitive persons.
Any other tips for using NinjaFlex?
When switching from another polymer (such as ABS or PLA) purge thoroughly before starting a print. As with other materials, when preheating, use a lower temperature (~180-200°C) to prevent excess material from draining prior to starting a print.
Will NinjaFlex work with my 3D printer?
NinjaFlex has been used successfully on many 3D printers, but it has not been tested on every model. In general, NinjaFlex performs best in printers with direct-drive extruders using settings similar to standard rigid ABS filament.
Will NinjaFlex work with Bowden extruders?
Bowden extruders are not ideal for printing flexible filaments such as NinjaFlex due to the excessive distance between the stepper motor and the extruder head. However, some users have generated successful prints using reduced speeds.
Are there any special printer settings that need to be adjusted for NinjaFlex?
NinjaFlex generally works well at similar extruder settings to ABS; however, adjusting the printer’s retraction settings can improve stop/start print quality. Also, it may be necessary to reduce the print speed to approximately 30mm/s. What are the processing guidelines for NinjaFlex?
– Recommended extruder temperature: 210-225°C (410-437°F)
– Recommended platform temperature: 20-50°C (68-122°F)
– Recommended print speed: 30mm/s
Will NinjaFlex feed well through plastic guide tubes?
While the low coefficient of friction surface of NinjaFlex has been formulated to reduce surface tack and allow the filament to feed more easily, the use of PTFE guide tubes may be beneficial to further reduce pull at the extruder.
Is a heated build plate required in order to print with NinjaFlex?
While each printer may have unique settings, in most printers, a heated build plate is not required in order to successfully print with NinjaFlex.
Is it necessary to coat the build platform with Kapton® tape or hairspray?
NinjaFlex bonds well to most surfaces (including aluminum and glass, blue painters tape, etc.), so coating the build platform is not necessary. Kapton tape can be used with NinjaFlex, but the adhesion of the printed part to the tape may be stronger than the adhesive holding the tape to the build platform.
Is NinjaFlex able to accommodate any bridging (crossing open unsupported spans)?
Yes, NinjaFlex behaves similarly to ABS in this regard and may be substituted in prints designed for ABS.
Best settings to use when printing with NinjaFlex on an Ultimaker 2
We recommend using either setting 1 or 2:
Setting 1
Print Temp: 260 °C
Bed Temp: 40 °C
Layer Height: 0.15 mm
Shell Thickness: 1 mm
Bottom/Top Thickness: 1 mm
Fill Density: 15%
Print Speed: 25 mm/s
Setting 2
Print Temp: 260 °C
Bed Temp: 40 °C
Layer Height: 0.1 mm
Shell Thickness: 1 mm
Bottom/Top Thickness: 1 mm
Fill Density: 30%
Print Speed: 25 mm/s
How can I bond NinjaFlex parts?
NinjaFlex has a very low surface energy, so it typically does not bond well with adhesives; however, Gorilla Glue seems to provide moderate bonding. The best way to connect NinjaFlex parts is with a hot knife welder.
Is NinjaFlex food or medical grade?
Although NinjaFlex does not contain any known toxins, it is not recommended for food contact or medical applications.
Is NinjaFlex water resistant?
While occasional contact with water will have no adverse effect on NinjaFlex, the product will degrade and lose its elastic properties when submerged in water for extended periods of time.
Is NinjaFlex colourfast?
NinjaFlex filament is colourfast, and therefore, the colour will not leach from the product.
Is NinjaFlex chemical resistant?
While NinjaFlex is resistant to most oils, it is highly affected by solvents, acids, and fuels such as gasoline. If the printed part should need to be cleaned, a mild soap solution is recommended.
I am unable to get NinjaFlex to feed. Any suggestions?
In order for flexible filaments such as NinjaFlex to feed properly, a spring-loaded feed mechanism with a roller bearing is the best option. Also, the extruder must support the filament between the exit of the drive gear and the entrance to the melt chamber. Figure 1 below shows an example of a well-configured print-head. Figure 2 shows a print-head without filament support. In this case, the flexible filament will buckle under compression and cause the print-head to jam. Figure 3 shows an extruder using a plastic plunger to create the nip force. This arrangement creates too much friction on the flexible filament for reliable prints.
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3
My prints are coming out stringy. What can I do to improve quality?
The strings are caused by the material not freezing off quickly enough at stop/start. There are multiple factors that come into play: extruder temperature, build platform temperature, ambient temperature, and retraction settings. As the melted filament comes out of the extruder, it should have just enough energy to re-melt the existing surface (to provide adequate bonding). The colder the ambient, the build platform, and the starting temperature of the filament, the more quickly it will freeze off. If temperatures cannot be adjusted, the amount of filament that is retracted at start stop may be increased. For 1.75mm filament, 2-3mm of retraction works well. Another option is to increase convection heat transfer with a ducted cooling fan.
Any other tips for using NinjaFlex?
When switching from another polymer (such as ABS or PLA) purge thoroughly before starting a print. As with other materials, when preheating, use a lower temperature (~180-200°C) to prevent excess material from draining prior to starting a print.
Lets get down to detail
| Bonding | NinjaFlex has a very low surface energy, so it typically does not bond well with adhesives; however, Gorilla Glue seems to provide moderate bonding. The best way to connect NinjaFlex parts is with a hot knife welder. |
|---|---|
| Bowden Extruder Compatibility | Bowden extruders are not ideal for printing flexible filaments such as NinjaFlex due to the excessive distance between the stepper motor and the extruder head; however, some users have generated successful prints using reduced speeds |
| Bridging (Crossing Open Spans) | NinjaFlex behaves similarly to ABS in this regard and may be substituted in prints designed for ABS |
| Carcinogenicity | The chemical structure does not suggest a specific alert for such an effect |
| Chemical Name | Thermoplastic polyurethane |
| Chemical Resistance | While NinjaFlex is resistant to most oils, it is highly affected by solvents, acids, and fuels such as gasoline. If the printed part should need to be cleaned, a mild soap solution is recommended. |
| Coating the Build Plate | NinjaFlex bonds well to most surfaces (including aluminum and glass, blue painters tape, etc.), so coating the build platform is not necessary. Kapton tape can be used with NinjaFlex, but the adhesion of the printed part to the tape may be stronger than the adhesive holding the tape to the build platform. |
| Colourfastness | NinjaFlex filament is colourfast, and therefore, the colour will not leach from the product. |
| Colours | Sun, Grass, Snow, Water (semi-transparent), Fire, Flamingo, Lava, Sapphire, Midnight, Gold, and Silver. |
| Compatibility | NinjaFlex has been used successfully on many 3D printers, but it has not been tested on every model. In general, NinjaFlex performs best in printers with direct-drive extruders using settings similar to standard, rigid ABS filament. |
| Diameters | 1.75mm diameter (.50kg weight) spool, 3mm diameter (.75kg weight) spool |
| Extruder Temperature | Recommended extruder temperature: 210-225°C (410-437°F) |
| Feeding | In order for flexible filaments such as NinjaFlex to feed properly, a spring-loaded feed mechanism with a roller bearing is the best option. Also, the extruder must support the filament between the exit of the drive gear and the entrance to the melt chamber. |
| Getting Started | When switching from another polymer (such as ABS or PLA) purge thoroughly before starting a print. As with other materials, when preheating, use a lower temperature (~180-200°C / ~356- 392°F) to prevent excess material from draining prior to starting a print. |
| Hardness (durometers) | Typical filament is 45D-75D (Shore D) hardness range, NinjaFlex is 85A (Shore A) range |
| Heated Build Plate | While each printer may have unique settings, in most printers, a heated build plate is not required in order to successfully print with NinjaFlex |
| Max. Temperature for Printed Parts | The recommended maximum temperature for NinjaFlex printed parts is 66°C (150°F) |
| Min. Temperature for Printed Parts | The recommended minimum temperature for NinjaFlex printed parts is -30°C (-22°F). Below this temperature, printed parts will become increasingly brittle and may shatter. |
| Odor | NinjaFlex is odorless |
| Plastic Guide Tubes | While the low coefficient of friction surface of NinjaFlex has been formulated to reduce surface tack and allow the filament to feed more easily, the use of PTFE guide tubes may be beneficial to further reduce pull at the extruder. |
| Platform Temperature | Recommended platform temperature: 20-50°C (68-122°F) |
| Print Speed | Recommended print speed: 30mm/s |
| Printer Settings | NinjaFlex generally works well at similar extruder settings to ABS; however, adjusting the printer’s retraction settings can improve stop/start print quality. Also, it may be necessary to reduce the print speed to approximately 30mm/s. |
| Shape Hold | Yes, once printer settings are dialed in, NinjaFlex should deliver similar detail to rigid materials. For tall thin parts, supports may need to be designed-in to prevent the model from flexing as the print head traverses. |
| Storage | Store in original containers at ambient environmental conditions. Segregate from foods and animal feeds. |
| Toxins | Although NinjaFlex does not contain any known toxins, it is not recommended for food contact or medical applications |
| Type | Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) type filament |
| Ventilation | NinjaFlex should be used in a well-ventilated area according to recommended operating conditions. TPE products are capable of releasing small amounts of fumes at high temperatures. While these fumes are generally considered tolerable and less odorous than ABS, care should be taken to minimize exposure, particularly among sensitive persons. |
| Water Resistance | While occasional contact with water will have no adverse effect on NinjaFlex, the product will degrade and lose its elastic properties when submerged in water for extended periods of time. |
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