How to print with Ultimaker Nylon
Nylon (polyamide) is widely used by manufacturers to 3D print strong end-use parts and functional prototypes that require durability and abrasion resistance. Ultimaker Nylon is designed to be more reliable and easier to print with than other nylon filaments on the market and features low moisture absorption and good adhesion to the build plate.
Compatibility
As shown in the below overview, Ultimaker Nylon is compatible with the Ultimaker S5, Ultimaker S3, Ultimaker 3, and Ultimaker 2+. If you print the material on printers that use a print core, you should use the AA print cores.
Ultimaker Nylon has optimised settings for the Ultimaker Pro Bundle, Air Manager and Material Station. This ensures a good end of filament and end of print experience in the Material Station and an optimal build environment with the Air Manager. Please make sure to use the latest version of Ultimaker Cura and ensure the firmware has the latest update.
Besides single-extrusion prints, Ultimaker Nylon can be printed in combination with PVA and Breakaway on the Ultimaker S5 and Ultimaker 3. Printing Nylon in combination with TPU 95A or another color of Nylon can be done experimentally.
Recommended settings and configuration
Temperatures
Ultimaker Nylon is printed at temperatures between 230 and 260 °C. The exact temperature depends on the printer, nozzle size and profile you are using. For instance, on the Ultimaker S5 with a 0.25 mm print core, Nylon is printed at 230 °C, while on the same printer with a 0.8 mm print core, the temperature is set to 245 °C.
Nylon is in most cases printed at a build plate temperature of 60 °C, although a build plate temperature of 70 °C is used on the Ultimaker S5 for the 0.4 and 0.8 mm print core profiles.
Adhesion
Ultimaker Nylon adheres well to the build plate, but for optimal adhesion and build plate protection, it is recommended to use a thin layer of glue on the glass plate. Not using the glue results in a risk of chipping the glass plate when removing the print.
To minimize warping when printing more complex prints with Ultimaker Nylon, it is recommended to apply a thin layer of Magigoo PA to the glass plate.
The Ultimaker Cura profiles for Ultimaker Nylon have been optimized to print with either a brim or a raft, depending on the selected printer. In the Ultimaker S5 and Ultimaker 3 profiles, a brim is selected by default, while the Ultimaker 2+ profiles use a raft as platform adhesion type. This raft is especially recommended for large models, while for smaller models a brim should be sufficient.
Nylon prints are most easily removed after cooldown. However, when using a raft, it is recommended to remove it when the build plate is still warm. This will make removal of the raft easier.
Print environment
Ultimaker Nylon is not prone to warp or delaminate and does not need additional accessories to create a good printing environment. Optionally, the front enclosure of the Advanced 3D Printing Kit can be used to achieve more consistent and reliable 3D prints on the Ultimaker 3 and Ultimaker 2+.
Health and safety
Ultimaker Nylon is safe to print when using the recommended temperature settings listed above. To ensure a comfortable and healthy working environment we recommend 3D printing in a well-ventilated area.