Ender v3 SE using TPU

Ender Series Creality Ender-3 V3 KE/SE
1

I am trying to use TPU for the first time and having a problem with feeding.
I setup the filament as usual and tried to extrude some filament to start with.
The filament will only feed through if I give it a slight push by hand.
I have tightened the pressure on the extruder and tried several settings, but it will not move while trying to print.
Any ideas?

2

No answers here, so I asked AI and got a list of things to try.
Did that and I am now printing very nicely. thanks Perpexity AI

1 Like
3

I now use AI for everything. Saves me tons of time every day. Doesn’t matter what the subject is, it has some answers, usually in great detail.

4

I feed my TPU from above my K1 SE. It feeds fine from there. If I load it onto the supplied spool, the first layer won’t form right.

5

Since following what AI told me I have had perfect prints every time, not one failure. In fact the TPU prints better than PLA.
We use AI all the time too, maybe becoming too reliant on it.

6

When using TPU filament on your Ender-3 V3 SE and experiencing feeding problems where the filament only moves if pushed by hand, several factors and adjustments can help resolve this issue:

Common Causes and Solutions for TPU Feeding Issues on Ender-3 V3 SE

  1. Extruder Pressure and Tension:
  • Tightening the extruder pressure too much can actually cause the TPU filament to deform or stretch, leading to jams. Try reducing the tension slightly to avoid filament thinning or buckling inside the extruder gears1.
  • The Ender-3 V3 SE has a direct drive extruder, which is beneficial for TPU, but the pressure should be balanced—not too tight or too loose—to allow smooth feeding2.
  1. Filament Path and Tube Setup:
  • TPU is flexible and can kink or jam if it encounters too much friction. It is recommended to minimize the length of PTFE tubing or remove it entirely if possible, feeding the filament directly into the extruder to reduce drag13.
  • Mounting the spool above the printer so the filament feeds straight down into the extruder helps reduce resistance and prevents filament buckling13.
  1. Print Speed and Retraction Settings:
  • TPU requires slower print speeds to prevent feeding issues. A print speed around 30-50 mm/s is typical, with slower speeds preferred for initial prints23.
  • Retraction distance should be low, generally around 0.8 to 1.6 mm, with retraction speed around 40 mm/s or less. Excessive retraction can cause jams and filament grinding32.
  • Some users report success with retraction distances as low as 0.3 mm to avoid stalling1.
  1. Temperature Settings:
  • TPU is temperature sensitive. Nozzle temperatures between 205°C and 230°C are recommended. Printing too cool can cause filament stiffness and feeding problems, while too hot can cause stringing32.
  • Bed temperature around 60-70°C helps with adhesion but does not affect feeding directly2.
  1. Flow Rate and Extrusion Volume:
  • Limiting the flow rate to around 4 mm³/s can help prevent underextrusion and feeding stalls4.
  • Some users find that increasing flow rate slightly improves extrusion but be cautious not to overload the extruder.
  1. Filament Quality and Condition:
  • TPU filament should be dry. Moisture in filament can cause extrusion issues. Drying the filament at 40-45°C for a few hours before printing can help5.
  • Using fresh filament spools and avoiding tangled filament on the spool prevents feeding resistance.
  1. Firmware and Hardware Checks:
  • Ensure your printer firmware is up to date and that the extruder motor and gears are clean and functioning well.
  • If persistent issues occur, consider checking if the extruder gears are too tight or if the filament path has any obstructions1.

Summary of Recommended TPU Settings for Ender-3 V3 SE

Parameter Recommended Value
Nozzle Temperature 205°C to 230°C
Bed Temperature 60°C to 70°C
Print Speed 30 to 50 mm/s
Retraction Distance 0.8 to 1.6 mm (try lower)
Retraction Speed ~40 mm/s
Flow Rate Limit to ~4 mm³/s
Extruder Tension Moderate, avoid overtight
Filament Path Short or no PTFE tube, spool above extruder

Additional Tips

  • Try printing a temperature tower for TPU to find the optimal nozzle temperature for your specific filament batch3.
  • Reduce retraction to the minimum needed to avoid stringing.
  • Mount the spool on top of the printer to reduce filament drag.
  • Avoid long Bowden tubes; direct drive extruder on the V3 SE is ideal but still minimize filament path length12.
  • Dry filament before printing to avoid moisture-related extrusion issues5.

By carefully adjusting these settings and hardware arrangements, you should be able to feed TPU filament smoothly on your Ender-3 V3 SE without needing to push it by hand14325.