3D printing has change into more and more fashionable in recent times because of its affordability and talent to create advanced and elaborated objects within the consolation of your storage. Some of the vital selections you’ll make when 3D printing is selecting the appropriate filament, as the fabric you choose will significantly have an effect on the end result of your undertaking. With so many manufacturers and choices accessible in the marketplace, it may be difficult to know the place to start out. This evaluation will look carefully at 5 filaments from Nanovia, appropriate for drone elements.
Undoubtedly, 3D printing has additionally revolutionized how we create elements, parts, and equipment for FPV drones. With the precise filament, it’s potential to supply light-weight, robust, and sturdy elements that may face up to the trials of high-speed flight. Listed here are probably the most generally used 3D filaments for FPV quadcopters:
- TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane): TPU is a versatile materials superb for creating drone elements that should face up to impacts and vibrations, corresponding to digital camera mounts.
- PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol): PETG is a robust and sturdy materials that’s superb for creating elements that should be light-weight and robust. PETG is taken into account a very good center floor between ABS and PLA and is appropriate for inside inflexible elements corresponding to flight controller dimension adapters.
- Carbon fiber bolstered filaments (PLA CF, PA-CF, PC-CF, PP-CF, PEI CF, PETG CF, and ABS CF). CF filaments are composite supplies fashioned by infusing carbon fiber fragments in polymer base 3D printing supplies, corresponding to PLA, ABS, PETG, PEKK, or PC, amongst others. CF-reinforced filaments are probably the most applicable for 3D printing FPV drone frames.
Nanovia filaments: TPU 70D, PC CF, PETG GF, TPE 22D, and ISTROFLEX
Disclosure: I acquired these filaments as a part of a product evaluation collaboration with Nanovia Tech. Product specs and high quality could differ in accordance with the producer’s reliability, so I can’t assure that you’ll get merchandise that carry out the identical as seen in my article.
Based mostly in Brittany area in France, Nanovia has been creating a premium vary of composites, steel, and ceramic thermoplastic supplies for aeronautical, naval, vehicle, paramedical, and protection industries since its inception in 2014. In addition they present numerous standard filaments for 3D hobbyists, corresponding to PLA, PETG, ABS, APA, PA, PC, PP, and PEI.
Along with the TPU 70D and PC CF filaments, they included PETG GF, TPE 22D, and ISTROFLEX samples, and a bottle of Plast F10 waterproofing resolution. All filaments have been packed in the identical sort of recycled cardboard field. Nanovia additionally opted for environment-friendly cardboard spoolers. Appropriately, the filaments have been in hermetic vacuum baggage with small silica gel sachets inside.
Printing settings info (Nozzle, Plate, Enclosure temperatures, and Nozzle dimension) and manufacturing batch identification are stamped on the 200 x 53mm (diameter x width) bobbin. Because the Cura slicing software program does embrace Nanovia filament profiles, I have to create one for every sort of fabric.
1. Nanovia TPU 70D semi-rigid filament
TPU, or Thermoplastic Polyurethane, is a rubber-like versatile and sturdy filament that can be utilized by hobbyists in addition to in numerous industries throughout quite a few functions. Because of the materials’s softness is beneficial for use with a direct-drive extruder as an alternative of Bowden-type machines.
Upon my request, they despatched me two ‘native’ semi-transparent TPU 70D spools and one black bobbin. The filament has a 1.12 g/cm3 density and requires a 230 – 250 °C nozzle temperature, respectively, a print mattress heated to 60 – 80 °C. The 500gr bobbin incorporates about 186 meters of filament.
With its shore hardness near ABS (arduous hat materials) of 70D, Nanovia’s TPU permits semi-rigid purposeful wear-resistant constructions that may regain their form even from deformation brought on by arduous impacts. Moreover, being UV resistant, it’s suited to outside utilization. With all these excellent traits, many began utilizing this filament to print Freezillion‘s epic RaceWhoop FPV drone. On Thingiverse, you’ll find many variations of this implausible DIY undertaking. I opted for a 2.5″ and a 3.5″ model. The TPU 70D can be an ideal materials to print digital camera and antenna mounts in your FPV drone.
Being geared up with a direct-drive extruder, my Elegoo Neptune Professional labored with no difficulty utilizing a 240°C nozzle and 70°C print mattress temperatures. One 3.5-inch Whoop duct required about 47 grams (17.48m) of filaments with an estimated value of three.95€. By comparability, an analogous ready-to-use duct could be discovered on eBay for $10. The translucent TPU is great for making a glowing drone with utilizing a number of RGB LEDs.
Nanovia TPU 70D technical specs
| Mechanical proprieties | |
| Density | 1.12 g/cm3 (ISO 1183) |
| Traction resistance | 28 MPa (ISO 527) |
| Elong. at break | 320 % (ISO 527) Traction stress 100% elongation 20 MPa |
| Traction stress | 300% elongation 28 MPa (ISO 527) |
| Hardness | Shore 70 D |
| Diameter choices | 1.75 & 2.85 mm (+/- 50 µm) |
| Colour choices | Translucid and Black |
| Thermal proprieties | |
| Operational T° | +/- 50 °C |
| 3D printing parameters | |
| Extrusion T° | 230 – 250 °C |
| Plate T° | 60 – 80 °C |
| Enclosure T° | 20 °C (room temperature) |
| Air flow % | 0 |
| Printing velocity | 20 – 70 mm/s |
2. Nanovia PolyCarbonate Carbon Fiber filament
Nanovia PC CF permits the creation of high-temperature (120°C) resistant items. This CF-reinforced polycarbonate filament is good for inflexible purposeful objects, together with drone frames.
I opted to check the Nanovia PC CF with the plan to print the body (high and backside plate) of the RaceWhoop. Sadly, I had an excessive amount of confidence within the Elegoo Neptune 3 Professional printer. Its max 260°C nozzle and 100 °C plate temperature turned out to be too chilly. The fabric didn’t follow the PEI print sheet. In accordance with Nanovia’s technical specs, their PC CF filament additionally requires heated enclosed machines apart from the excessive nozzle temperature (260 – 290°C). As you’ll be able to see within the picture under, the filament has a gorgeous metallic-black colour. Toroidal propellers are making waves nowadays, and possibly the Nanovia PC CF may very well be an appropriate filament to 3D print them.
Nanovia PC CF technical specs
| Mechanical proprieties | |
| Density | 1.26 g/cm3 |
| Younger’s modulus | 6390 MPa |
| Final energy | 87 MPa |
| Final energy elongation | 2.7% |
| Diameter choices | 1.75 & 2.85 mm (+/- 50µm) |
| Colour choices | Black |
| Thermal proprieties | |
| Tg | 120°C |
| HDT | 144°C ASTN D648 at 4.6 kg/cm2 133°C ASTN D648 at 18.6 kg/cm2 |
| 3D printing parameters | |
| Extrusion T° | 260 – 290°C |
| Plate T° | 100 – 140°C |
| Enclosure T° | 100°C |
| Nozzle | min 0.5mm |
| Particular necessities | Dehydrate at 100 °C for 4 hours or extra Nozzle for abrasive supplies Room geared up with air extraction |
3. Nanovia Glass fiber bolstered PETG filament
Combining glass fibers, anti-UV components, and PETG, natively waterproof and proof against temperatures as much as 80 °C, Nanovia PETG GF UV is the proper filament for elements subjected to outside circumstances.
Not like carbon fiber-reinforced supplies, glass fiber ones don’t conduct electrical energy, which makes the PETG GF filament appropriate for electrical functions. I discovered the filament simple to print throughout my assessments, and the outcomes have been high-quality with out beauty points. I used the default PETG settings with no issues. The fabric appears sturdy sufficient for use for the RaceWhoop’s high and backside plate, however not for the body of a 5″ racing quad.
Nanovia PETG GF technical specs
| Mechanical proprieties | |
| Density | 1.42 g/cm3 ISO 1183 |
| Younger’s modulus | 4284 MPa ISO 527/1A |
| Final energy | 63MPa ISO 527/1A |
| Elongation final energy | 2.3% ISO 527/1A |
| Diameter | 1.75 or 2.85mm (+/- 50µm) |
| Colour choices | White |
| Thermal proprieties | |
| Tg | 80°C |
| 3D printing parameters | |
| Extrusion T° | 220 – 240°C |
| Plate T° | 80 – 90 °C |
| Enclosure T° | 20 °C (room temperature) |
| Nozzle | minim 0.5mm |
| Drying | At 60 °C for 4 hours or longer |
4. Nanovia ISTROFLEX Biodegradable versatile filament
Nanovia Istroflex is a biodegradable versatile FFF filament (Shore 44D / 93A). Its flexibility is ideally suited to technical elements that require a certain quantity of bounce, corresponding to shock and vibration absorbers, gaskets, or mini tires for distant management vehicles. One other benefit of this materials is that it doesn’t require particular printing circumstances. Not like different filaments, it requires a low mattress temperature (20 – 40 °C), which is electrical invoice pleasant. To ensure good printing circumstances, dehydrate Nanovia Istroflex at 60 °C for 4 hours or extra.
For check functions, I printed some DJI AVATA prop guard protectors. I used a 210 °C nozzle and 30 °C mattress temperature settings. The Nanovia ISTROFLEX bumpers guarantee extra safety for collisions and crashes.
Nanovia ISTROFLEX technical specs
| Mechanical proprieties | |
| Density | 1.55 g/cm3 (ISO 1183) |
| Traction resistance | 60 MPa (ISO 527) |
| Elong. at break | > 300 % (ISO 527) |
| Stress at break | 11.5 MPa (ISO 527) |
| Hardness | 93 Shore A, 44 Shore D |
| Diameter choices | 1.75 & 2.85 mm (+/- 50 µm) |
| Colour choices | Cream and Black |
| Thermal proprieties | |
| VICAT | 91°C (ISO 306) 2.7 – 4.9 g/10min |
| MFR | 190°C 2.16kg (ISO 1133) |
| 3D printing parameters | |
| Extrusion T° | 210 – 230 °C |
| Plate T° | 20 – 40 °C |
| Enclosure T° | 20 °C |
| Nozzle | minim 0.4mm |
| Printing velocity | 20 – 70 mm/s |
5. Nanovia versatile shock absorption TPE 22D filament
Nanovia TPE 22D permits the printing of versatile elements with wonderful inter-layer adhesion. This materials is simple to print and broadly used for industrial shock and vibration absorption and items that have to deform dramatically. The TPE 22D is appropriate for gimbal anti-vibration dampers.
Nanovia TPE 22D technical specs
| Mechanical proprieties | |
| Density | 1.00 g/cm3 (ISO 1183) |
| Traction mod. | 12 MPa (ISO 527-1) |
| Hardness | 22 Shore D, 70 Shore A |
| Diameter choices | 1.75 & 2.85 mm (+/- 50 µm) |
| Colour choices | Translucid |
| 3D printing parameters | |
| Extrusion T° | 220 – 240 °C |
| Plate T° | 30 – 50 °C |
| Enclosure T° | Room temperature |
| Nozzle | All |
| Printing velocity | 20 – 60 mm/s |
Pricing, availability, and choices
Nanovia presents most of its filaments in 500g and 2000g weight choices. When you simply wish to check one among their supplies, there are samples (30 meters) at a low worth (5-10 euros). There’s additionally an choice for 1.75 or 2.85 diameters. Once I printed my evaluation, the 500g TPU 70D was accessible for 42,00 €, and 2000 grams for 159,60 €. The PC CF has a worth of 63,00 € for the 500g spool and 239,40 € for the 2000g bobbin.
For FDM printed elements, they’ve three post-treatment merchandise:
- Sol Lis (Smoothing spray) – 29,40 €
- Plast F10 (Waterproofing resolution) – 24,00 €
- Printer Mattress Cleaner spray – 6,24 €
Made in France, Nanovia merchandise are primarily accessible in European shops.
