I saw a 3d printer using plastic pellets instead of filament.

Is this a good idea? Because I never saw anyone doing this.

Seller says “in this way it won’t run out of filament” but I have the impression of imprecise extrusions (machine was fitted with a big 0.8mm nozzle)

  • FuglyDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    9 hours ago

    Imagine, if you will, hot glue sticks, only in chocolate.

    You won’t need to have the entire printer be stainless, just the hot end/heatblock and heat break.

    Then a feed system that drop more sticks in as the next gos down.

    The stick can be driven by a food safe silicone rubber wheel. Maybe some sort of squashy tread so you get better contact/traction.

    Wouldn’t be able to have super-high retraction, since it’s not a continuous length… but details.

    • GrassEnglish
      1·
      8 hours ago

      I think one of the existing chocolate printers actually used that design. I was concerned about chocolate pellets in a printed hopper though.