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3D Conductive Filaments - Any Known Suppliers?

11/13/2013 9:18 AM

Interested in sourcing conductive filaments for a 3D printer with low resistance.Yes, I could make my own by melting down stock material, adding graphite and re-extruding. Hopefully, someone is already doing this?

The aim is to use a 2 head machine with conductive and non-conductive filaments
so I can produce my own 3D, multi-layer printed circuit boards.

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#1

Re: 3D Conductive Filaments - Any Known Suppliers?

11/13/2013 9:50 AM
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#2
In reply to #1

Re: 3D Conductive Filaments - Any Known Suppliers?

11/13/2013 9:55 AM
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#3

Re: 3D Conductive Filaments - Any Known Suppliers?

11/13/2013 6:26 PM

Thanks all. The 10,000 ohms/cm is OK .... make thicker to reduce resistance.
I once had 70% silver, 2 part araldyte glue. That would be the way to attach components etc.
The idea of a 3D PCB, built with 3D mounting standoffs etc and even the surround protective housing, does seem like an interesting way to go. In the past, I built mining parts with 30% fibre fill for extra strenth. (That will please the reinforced concrete guys). I have been looking at ways to add fibre fill either to the filaments and/or as an extra head in the print process.

One of the issues with fibre fill in the injection process is direction control of the fibre. The first project, (pre-3D printing), had 2 washer-like parts which the mould maker made side by side with side entry in the injection process. Needless to say with the fibre-enriched resin got around to the other side of the washer, they did not know how to 'hold hands'. When load was applied to the washer, then the weak point was quickly evident! It needed a central spider filling point that radiated out. So when we get to fibre filled filaments in 3D printing, the smarts are in how the material is deposited. I did think, but have not tried, where there is a layer of vertical brush air like filaments laid on a previous build pass, and then it is 'coated' with a standard filament pass. Just an idea.

Meanwhile, I am keen to lower the resistance / cm. Yea .... add copper filaments as an alternative to graphite!?

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#4
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Re: 3D Conductive Filaments - Any Known Suppliers?

11/14/2013 6:46 AM

Why dont you use silver coated nylon fibers? They have low resistance. I do not know the resistance but should be 1 ohm/cm or less. If you do not utilize excessive currents, they will be quite OK.

You may need to cut them shorter if you need very short fibers.

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