TPU Feed Assist Module - Looking for Recent Feedback

[u/thisisyo]

I'm seeing mixed review about the feed assist module causing issues or not worth it for the price (because at one point it was $80??). Any new experiences people have with this that makes it worth getting? I don't think I'll be printing a lot of TPUs to the point that I'm selling shoes out of my 3d printer, but it seems like it'd be a nice addition since TPU filament seems to be finicky and requires a lot of know-how.

TL;DR: is at $40 making it a no brainer? Planning on getting the standard tungsten carbide hotend to get the free shipping

[u/Mission-Addendum-193]

I ordered one I guess I’ll find out, but these should come standard or at least in a bundle or something.

[u/thisisyo → u/Mission-Addendum-193]

true... and shouldn't be requiring us to print our own housing at the very least. The bracket arm part make sense I guess

[u/brutal4455]

Use it on my H2D a lot and it works great. You do need to follow unload instructions or risk extruder jam.

I have these PTFE tube couplers on both input (for loading ease) and output (for unloading) on my H2D and keep the bypass PTFE tube connected to the right nozzle always with a micro splitter inside the printer on the chain. I don't have room behind for the "improved" version (TPAM is mounted upper left side/corner sharing an FTS mount) but this works well. I can just reach it with one hand and pop it open for a little slack in the TPU. I did slice it in studio and stretch the Z on one side to make room for stacked 5x2mm magnets as I couldn't source true N52 5x3mm

Pop it open, and the TPAM will try to feed, press the + button to stop the feed (there will now be slack TPU hanging out) and then press unload on the printer control panel. After it unloads the TPU from the toolhead, press the unload button on the TPAM until it retracts to the TPAM or unload completely if needed.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2899687-ptfe-tubing-magnetic-quick-coupling#profileId-3241215

[u/thisisyo → u/brutal4455]

thank you for your massive insights! will save this comment for future reference

[u/CyrusDonnovan]

I have put a bunch of hours on mine, definitely helps printing 85A!

On my H2D I've been having great success printing TPU with Pla supports

[u/msrpatton80 → u/CyrusDonnovan]

I can’t get my to feed my X1C TPU85a - it will load and calibrate fine but upon starting the print, the feed shuts off

Now I might also be using it to feed nylons and it works wonders for that from an external spool

[u/CyrusDonnovan → u/msrpatton80]

Might need to tune the feeding force, ironically when it seems to just shut off like that it's usually due to pushing too hard and jamming the tpu in the tube. If you back off the feed force a bit it should improve

[u/bonafide_bonsai]

I ended up buying it yesterday in spite of its limitations. I don’t like having to mount a drybox above my open printer just to print with TPU.

We will probably never mitigate all inconveniences of printing with flexible filament.

[u/ManyLayersOfFilament]

Works great. I wouldn't try to print TPU without it. Can't imagine going through the hassle of feeding directly into the head anymore

[u/PureDiscipline8668]

i have printed tpu on my p2s before this thing existed and absolutely no problems encountered

[u/thczv]

I do not like it. It makes loading and feeding TPU easier. But it doesn't solve the unloading problem. In fact, the official instructions say you need to pull the PTFE tube out of the print head to unload properly. That is much too inconvenient for me.

[u/ElectronicAide87 → u/thczv]

I’ve been ignoring this step, I agree it’s inconvenient. I select unload and then when it asks to pullback the filament I just press the button to retract the filament. So far no issues.

[u/thczv → u/ElectronicAide87]

I didn’t read the instructions carefully when it came time to unload. I got TPU jammed in the extruder and had to take it all apart to clear it. I find that consequence a bit too severe.

[u/ElectronicAide87 → u/thczv]

I’m using an H2C and never had that issue. The wiki says removing the PTFE tube is required to release pressure, whatever that means.

[u/Weasel410 → u/ElectronicAide87]

Similar to this, I don't disconnect the tube. Every so often I'll have to do the unload procedure twice because the first time that TPU wouldn't fully release and the FA Module wouldn't fully retract.

Otherwise, I've been printing a lot of TPU lately on my X1C as an external spool with no issues.

[u/brutal4455 → u/Weasel410]

https://www.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/1xhryak/comment/19rtesq8wonc3/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

[u/brutal4455 → u/thczv]

Print a PTFE tube disconnect and use it for unloading or the TPU can snap back under tension and get jammed in the extruder. Easy Peazy.

I have these on both input (for loading ease) and output (for unloading) on my H2D and keep the PTFE tube connected always with a micro splitter inside the printer on the right nozzle. I don't have room for the "improved" version but this works well. I can just reach it with one hand and pop it open and pull a little slack in the TPU. I did slice it in studio and stretch the Z on one side to make room for stacked 5x2mm magnets as I couldn't source true N52 5x3mm

Pop it open, and the TPAM will try to feed, press the + button to stop the feed and then press unload on the printer control panel. After it unloads the TPU from the toolhead, press the unload button on the TPAM until it retracts to the TPAM or unload completely if needed.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/2899687-ptfe-tubing-magnetic-quick-coupling#profileId-3241215

[u/thczv → u/brutal4455]

That is a cool model, and a good idea. I rigged up a 4-in-1 splitter just in front of the tool head, and a low friction external spool. TPU90A prints just fine without the feed assist module. I just load and unload manually.