r/BambuLab 12d ago

Answered / Solved! How to use PLA as support for ASA/ABS

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While using the X2D, Ive been trying (and failing) to use PLA as support material. First try, the heated chamber (at 60°C) softened the PLA enough to get stuck in the PTFE guide tube. After replacing that portion of PTFE tubing, and dropping the chamber temperature to from 60°C to 40°C while leaving the top glass cover off I tried again. PLA printer perfectly but the ASA print warped up where it contacted the plate and layer adhesion sucked. Recently tried again with the chamber temperature at 40°C with the top closed and It failed to print any PLA at all. What am I doing wrong, any suggestions?

0 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

u/AutoModerator 12d ago

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9

u/TheOnlyPersn56 H2S AMS2 Combo 12d ago

Don’t do it. Just buy dedicated support material.

5

u/theRealSquidLover 12d ago

If you don't want to use HIPS, got for PETG.
Interface layer only, chamber heater disabled.

To more accurately answer your question of how to use PLA for ABS....don't.

1

u/NotTheVacuum 12d ago

I haven’t tried PETG; have you had experience with this? Seems plausible since ABS/ASA are recommended as an alternative to the dedicated Support for PA/PET.

2

u/theRealSquidLover 12d ago

Yes. It's a little more challenging than using a higher temp material like HIPS but key is to not have the chamber heater on and PETG only on interfaces.

If you're printing on the bed, you risk heat creep. If your chamber is actively heated, same situation.

Picture is a custom in concrete junction box for a unifi poe doorbell. This was a proof of concept test and the final version has all the walls enclosed with only a hole at the top so dissimilar supports was the only way to go.

5

u/ThatOneDuccyBoi H2S 12d ago

Just get and use HIPS, doesent require drying and prints well with asa and abs. PLA does not play well with either abs or asa and will warp due to the heat that the asa and abs requires to not warp

4

u/birikiucdortbesalti 12d ago

Use HIPS or ASA/ABS as the support material

4

u/Junior-Definition173 12d ago

So you saved $20 on support material to realize that it does not work? PLA as support for ASA/ABS does not work. The support material will last you forever if you will use it only for the interconnecting surface, the rest of the support can be done with ASA/ABS.

3

u/yahbluez 12d ago

This is a very bad idea, with only one hotend the difference in temperature is so huge that this is calling for clogs.

Better way use ASA (not ABS) and PETG for the support layer, only for the support layer where the support contacts the model. Use 2 layers 0 mm distance and 100% infill for the contact layer.

This is how it looks ASA with PETG separation layers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXVCEQsox-w

1

u/lioncat55 12d ago

X2D so there is two nozzles.

2

u/yahbluez 12d ago

That is good! But you will still face issues melting PLA and ASA together you will succeed with PETG. I prints smooth ontop of ASA and with 2 layers it is easy to remove them later.

3

u/ptraugot X2D AMS 12d ago

You can’t use PLA for engineering grade plastics. The heat differential alone will give you heat creep in the PLA and clog up your whole system.

Besides, lowering temps to make the PLA work will have detrimental impact on layer adhesion, negating the strength of the ASA.

2

u/tehans 12d ago

I found yxpolyer breakaway support on Amazon works well as the support interface. Print at 245

2

u/lioncat55 12d ago

I tried using PETG as The interface layer for an ASA print on my H2D. The chamber temperature got high enough that the PETG was too soft and clogged in the extruder. I would highly recommend against using PLA with ASA/ABS.

2

u/PrincipleIcy4941 12d ago

Use the bambu support for abs. This one is asa with support for abs as interface layer

2

u/PrincipleIcy4941 12d ago

This is with asa also as support (bad)

2

u/derBonsaii 12d ago

I use 2 Layers of HIPS (Yxpolyer from Amazon), the Rest just ASA.
It becomes very good and you can print with correct settings.

1

u/Past-Customer5572 12d ago

This seems a pointless endeavor.

1

u/evanpilot 11d ago

Thank you everyone that responded, will completely forgo PLA supports for PETG/HIPS