Sep 30, 2015 | By Alec

The number of 3D printing hobbyists seemingly increasing every day, but it seems that the vast majority of users seem to stick to the tried-and-tested ABS and PLA filaments for their creations. While producing some good results, we always advise people to look into the increasing and improving range of other filaments that can really add new dimensions to your making and creating. Have you, for instance, ever 3D printed sturdy wood-like or even shiny brass-like creations? Well, the range of options has just increased even further, as high quality filament provider colorFabb has just announced the latest edition to their wood 3D printer filaments: corkFill, that features all the durable and flexible characteristics of corks, including the lovely color.

Dutch manufacturers colorFabb are, as many of you will know, known for their excellent 3D printing supplies. Founded as a branch of Helian Polymers, a sister company of Peter Holland, a few years ago, they quickly became the provider of a number of excellent and sometimes unusual filaments. Virtually all of their filaments are produced in their own Dutch facility, but in this case corkFill has been compounded with their own PLA/PHA by German company FKuR, the same company who worked on colorFabb’s previous successes woodFill and bambooFill 3D printing filaments.

As the Dutch manufacturers explain, this latest filament has been developed to add to their range of exciting wood-like filaments, which have been excellently received by the 3D printing community. ‘It has become almost a tradition for us to release a new wood based 3D printer filament in the fall. In 2013 we launched woodFill and in 2014 we followed with bambooFill. In 2015 we extend that family and we proudly present corkFill!’ they say.

However, despite the fact that development is partly outsourced, we are assured that corkFill features the same quality standards associated with colorFabb. This includes an excellent diameter tolerance, which is measured with laser measurement systems during production. ‘We can guarantee 0.05mm +/- on both 2.85mm and 1.75mm colorFabb 3d printing filament, which means you can rest assured that your 3D printer is extruding the exact amount of material,’ they say.

All their filaments are also tested on a wide range of commonly used 3D printers in the company’s testlab, including several Ultimakers, the Makerbot Replicator 2s, the Delta Tower, the Felix 20, the Leapfrog, the Prusa i3 HEPHESTOS and others. During those tests, they have found that corkFill is best 3D printed at a temperature of between 210 and 230 degrees Celsius, at a print speed of somewhere between 40 - 60 mm/s. A heated printbed can be used (50 to 60 degrees Celsius), but isn’t essential. Furthermore, they have found that increasing the flow rate with about 4 to 10 percent results in stronger 3D prints and a higher reliability. Some fantastic examples, as well as the settings used for those 3D prints, can be seen below.

Rook by seechless, 3D printed on the Makerbot Replicator 2 @225C / 0.2mm layerheight / 50 mm/s

Twisted Flower pot by colorFabb, 3D printed on the Ultimaker 2 @230C / 0.2mm layerheight / 50mm/s

Small hinged treasure chest by athey, 3D printed on the Dremel @220C / 0.2mm layerheight / 50mm/s

If you’re interested, corkFill can now be pre-ordered here. The price is €39.95 / spool (650 grams), with shipping starting at the end of next week. 

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Materials

 

 

 

 

Maybe you also like:


   






Leave a comment:

Your Name:

 


Subscribe us to

3ders.org Feeds 3ders.org twitter 3ders.org facebook   

About 3Ders.org

3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.

News Archive