Filament diameter

[bres55]

I am just about to purchase some PLA Ø 1.75 mm blue 1 kg filament for 3D printer, the supplier states

Filament diameter: 1.75mm ±0.1mm

is this an acceptable tolerance, or should I pay more for better quality?

[RetireeJay]

Always measure the filament you get, and put that size into your slicing program. The only possible problem you could run into is if the filament is so badly oversized that it can't fit into the throat of the hot end - and that's extremely unlikely.

[PxT]

±0.1mm tolerance is a typical value for a lot of suppliers, and from what I have seen they often advertise the same error margin for both 1.75 & 3mm filament. Keep in mind that given the same millimeter difference, the percentage error is doubled for 1.75mm filament compared to 3mm. This might be a point to support plexus' arguments for using 3mm filament.

Protoparadigm has an in-depth article on the subject of filament tolerance: http://www.protoparadigm.com/blog/2011/ ... t-quality/
Incidentally, they advertise a .05mm tolerance for their filament (both 3mm & 1.75).

But to answer the question… I have not run into any significant problems that I could attribute to filament tolerance. In general, unless your machine is exceedingly well calibrated, other errors and small inaccuracies in positioning and repeatability are going to be more significant.

[bres55]

Thanks guys.
I've ordered it with Amazon co uk.
£19.90 inclusive.
I'm thinking it'll be ok to start with.

I was eager to have some at home when I get my Simple this Saturday.
I shall be going to the RobboSavvy course in London, we build it in the morning, and do all the rest
in the afternoon, caliibrate, SW etc.
I feel I could have built it at home, but was keen to meet up with other enthusiasts.
I'll do a review of the course next week some time.

[he3d]

Blue, 1 kg, 1.75 mm, completely no problem, we can cooperation,
if you buy more, we can give you a discount and free shipping.
We have all the colors, can let you choose, look forward to cooperation with you.
http://www.reprap.cn skype:reprap.cn