Best 3d printer for nylonx

The 8 Best Nylon 3D Printers for Easy Nylon Printing (2023) – Clever Creations

Image: Ultimaker

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Best overall

Matterhackers Pulse XE

• Easy to upgrade
• Hardened steel nozzle
• Easy to use interface

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Best high-end

Ultimaker S5

• Multi-material printing
• Premium components
• Remote monitoring

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Best on a budget

Flashforge Adventurer 3

• Beginner-friendly
• Fully enclosed
• Removable print bed

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Nylon filament is one of the most versatile 3D printing materials that you can print on a desktop 3D printer. It has excellent tensile strength, is flexible, and has a high melting point, making it ideal for functional prototypes and interlocking prints that undergo high wear and tear.

Despite these benefits, 3D printing Nylon filament has its own set of challenges, and not all 3D printers are equipped or designed to print with Nylon. For someone looking for printing with Nylon, this might become a challenge and confuse them further as to what printer will deliver the best results with Nylon.

To help make it easier for you and to make you aware of your choices in the market, we’ve curated a list of some of the best Nylon 3D printers that you can buy right now. We have also included the things you should look for when getting a Nylon printer.

Read on to learn how to choose the best Nylon 3D printer for you!

The Best Nylon 3D Printers in 2023

Matterhackers Pulse XE

Best overall

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MatterHackers

The Matterhackers Pulse XE is a 3D printer specifically designed to print with NylonX material. It comes with a hardened steel nozzle, a specially engineered bed surface, and a maximum extruder temperature of 300 °C, letting you print Nylon filament with ease.

You get a Prusa i3 style open-frame design, and a BLTouch leveling sensor for ease of use. The print surface is textured with Garolite, which guarantees better print adhesion with Nylon and is durable enough to last for many print cycles. The Pulse XE uses the best components currently available right now, such as a Bondtech extruder and a E3D V6 hot end, to deliver high-quality 3D prints.

For under $1000, the Pulse XE is a feature-packed printer, which serves excellent value to the end-user, making it the best overall Nylon 3D printer on the list. It will print anything you throw at it with ease, and if you’re in the market for a professional-grade Nylon 3D printer, the Pulse XE is the best choice for you.

Standout Features

• BLTouch leveling probe
• Garolite print surface
• Robust i3 design

Technical Details
Build Volume	250 x 220 x 215 mm
Materials	PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, Carbon Fiber, PC
Bed leveling	Automatic
Max hot end temperature	295°C
Max bed temperature	100°C
Connectivity	SD card, USB
Supported slicers	Mattercontrol
Filament diameter	1. 75 mm

What We Like

• Easy to upgrade
• Hardened steel nozzle
• Easy to use interface

Could Be Better

• Lacks enclosure
• Outdated LCD

Find Matterhackers Pulse XE at

MatterHackers

Ultimaker S5

Best high-end

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Ultimaker 3D printers are known for their premium build quality and excellent print results. The Ultimaker S5 is the flagship 3D printer in the Ultimaker printer lineup and comes with the best features that make it great for printing industrial prototypes and end-use components.

The Ultimaker S5 is a dual extruder 3D printer with a large print volume of 330 x 240 x 300 mm that lets you fully take advantage of its dual print heads. It offers convenient swappable print cores and a removable glass bed to print with advanced materials such as NylonX, Polycarbonate, and Polypropylene.

The airflow manager add-on maintains a stable printing temperature, which is useful when printing with Nylon. And with the material station, you can easily store Nylon filament without having to resort to a filament dry box.

Given its features and the high-end components, printing with Nylon should be as easy as printing with PETG or PLA filament on the Ultimaker S5. Overall, it’s an excellent 3D printer that will deliver consistent printing results and cover nearly all FDM 3D printing needs.

Standout Features

• Dual extrusion
• Swappable print cores
• Large build volume

Technical Details
Build Volume	330 x 240 x 300 mm
Materials	PLA, ABS, PETG and CPE, ASA, Nylon, NylonX and NylonG, PV, Polycarbonate, Polypropylene
Bed leveling	Automatic
Max hot end temperature	280°C
Max bed temperature	140°C
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB
Supported slicers	Ultimaker Cura
Filament diameter	2. 85 mm

What We Like

• Multi-material printing
• Premium components
• Remote monitoring

Could Be Better

• Serious investment
• Separate enclosure kit

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Flashforge Adventurer 3

Best on a budget

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The Flashforge Adventurer 3 is a fully-enclosed 3D printer designed to be easy to use and beginner-friendly. With its intuitive interface and an excellent feature set, it gives you excellent value for your money.

The Adventurer 3 comes with an interchangeable nozzle design that lets you upgrade the default nozzle set up to a high-temperature nozzle that goes up to 265 °C, letting you print with ABS, PETG, PC, and Nylon. Its heated print bed and the enclosure help maintain a passively heated, stable printing temperature, further improving print quality.

Its automatic filament loading, inbuilt camera, and remote monitoring greatly benefit the user experience and are nice features for beginners to use the 3D printer efficiently and safely.

Overall, the Flashforge Adventurer 3 is a great package that comes at an affordable price of under $400. It is excellent for beginners and hobbyists that need a reliable 3D printer that can print with Nylon filament on a budget.

Standout Features

• Detachable nozzle design
• Automatic filament loading
• Wireless 3D printing

Technical Details
Build Volume	150 x 150 x 150 mm
Materials	PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon
Bed leveling	Automatic
Max hot end temperature	240°C / 265°C
Max bed temperature	100°C
Connectivity	USB stick, Wi-Fi, Ethernet FlashCloud, PolarCloud
Supported slicers	Flashprint
Filament diameter	1. 75 mm

What We Like

• Beginner-friendly
• Fully enclosed
• Removable print bed

Could Be Better

• Small build area
• Only compatible with FlashPrint

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Creality Ender 3 S1

Most silent

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The Creality Ender 3 S1 is the latest printer from Creality and comes with all the best features you would expect from a desktop 3D printer in 2023. The PC-coated flexible spring steel bed is a new inclusion in the Creality lineup and is perfect for adhesion with printing materials such as Nylon.

It also offers a newly designed “sprite” extruder that weighs less than traditional direct drive setups and is excellent for printing flexible filaments like TPU. It comes with a 32-bit motherboard with silent stepper motors, letting it print at < 50 dBs. This makes it one of the quietest 3D printers available right now, especially when coupled with its official enclosure.

The hot end is designed to reach up to 260 °C, letting you print Nylon filament with ease. However, the aforementioned enclosure is something you will need as well if your goal is to 3D print Nylon filament. It helps prevent the warping of your Nylon prints, significantly increasing your success rate with this tricky filament.

The Creality Ender 3 S1 is a superb hobbyist-level printer resulting from years of community feedback. Its silent stepper drivers make it an ideal 3D printer for a home or an office setup. It is a great fit if you want a Nylon 3D printer with all essential features, that is easy to set up and delivers excellent print quality.

Recommended:

Creality Ender 3 S1 Review: A New Standard

Standout Features

• Improved "sprite" extruder
• Dual Z-axis design
• PC spring steel print bed

Technical Details
Build Volume	220 x 220 x 270 mm
Materials	PLA, TPU, PETG, ABS, Nylon
Bed leveling	Automatic
Max hot end temperature	260°C
Max bed temperature	100°C
Connectivity	Type-C USB, SD Card
Supported slicers	Ultimaker Cura
Filament diameter	1. 75 mm

What We Like

• Easy to assemble
• Automatic bed leveling
• Direct extrusion for TPU, TPE

Could Be Better

• Open-frame design
• Enclosure comes separately

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QIDI Tech X-Plus

Highest print temperature

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The QIDI Tech X-Plus 3D printer is one of the rare 2-in-1 3D printers that is fine-tuned for printing with basic and advanced materials alike. It has two separate direct-drive extruders and bed surfaces, each configured for different printing materials.

You get one extruder that reaches up to 250 °C, combined with a textured print surface meant for printing with PLA, ABS, and PETG. The second hotend-extruder set up can go as high as 300 °C and can be combined with the smooth bed surface on the opposite side of the printing bed. This second setup enables you to 3D print with Nylon, PC, and Carbon Fiber.

The dual Z-axis setup delivers stable and precise printing and the enclosed spool holder design, too, is beneficial when printing with Nylon filament.

One of its biggest shortcomings, however, is its relatively small build height (200mm) given the machine’s price. If your needs include printing tall Nylon 3D prints, the Tech X-Plus is not the best option.

Considering the features and ease of switching hot ends when printing with different materials, the QIDI Tech X-Plus offers a great printing experience. It is a great choice for hobbyists and even professionals who need a versatile 3D printer that is well-built and delivers reliable results.

Standout Features

• Two different extruder setups
• Dual print surface
• Double Z-axis

Technical Details
Build Volume	270 x 200 x 200 mm
Materials	PLA, ABS, PETG, Flexibles, Nylon, PC
Bed leveling	Automatic
Max hot end temperature	260°C / 300°C
Max bed temperature	100°C
Connectivity	USB, WiFi, LAN
Supported slicers	QIDIPrint, Cura, Simplify3D
Filament diameter	1. 75 mm

What We Like

• Easy to set up and configure
• Stores filament inside
• Wi-Fi connectivity

Could Be Better

• Easy to damage print surface
• No filament guiding system

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FlashForge Adventurer 4

Best air filtration

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The Flashforge Adventurer 4 is the next iteration of the Adventurer 3 / 3 Pro 3D printers and keeps many of the existing features while improving in areas related to the design and user experience of the printer.

It offers a fully-enclosed print chamber to maintain a stable printing environment and a HEPA 13 air filtration system to keep away any harmful 3D printer fumes. This is something that is of use when working with Nylon filament.

Additionally, the Adventurer 4 offers an interchangeable nozzle design to let you quickly swap between high-temperature nozzles and a flexible metal printing plate that facilitates easy print removal.

The Adventurer 4 is designed for beginners, hobbyists, prosumers, and educational use. The air filtration system is excellent for using the printer indoors and near kids or pets. With this Nylon 3D printer, you get a machine that is full of features and that is safe to use.

Standout Features

• HEPA 13 air filtration
• Quick release nozzle
• Built-in spool holder

Technical Details
Build Volume	220 x 200 x 250 mm
Materials	ABS/PLA/PC/PETG/PLA-CF/PETG-CF/Nylon
Bed leveling	Automatic
Max hot end temperature	265°C/240°C
Max bed temperature	110°C
Connectivity	USB. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Cloud
Supported slicers	FlashPrint
Filament diameter	1. 75 mm

What We Like

• Easy to use
• Remote monitoring
• Fully enclosed design

Could Be Better

• Small build volume
• Assisted bed leveling

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Dremel DigiLab 3D45

Most user-friendly

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Coming from a renowned tool manufacturer, the Dremel DigiLab 3D45 is easy and intuitive to use, even when 3D printing with advanced materials such as Nylon, PC, and Carbon Fiber.

The DigiLab 3D45 comes with 9-point automatic bed leveling, removing the need for manual leveling and improving first-layer adhesion. You get a hot end capable of reaching up to 280°C and a maximum print bed temperature of 110°C for easy and high-quality prints with high-temperature filaments such as ABS and Nylon.

It also includes 30 lesson plans, which is a valuable addition to a 3D printer designed to improve the educational experience in classrooms. The 3D45 is just that, with an intuitive user-friendly touchscreen that makes it easy for students to access all of the printer’s features, and a design that is focused on safety.

While the Dremel DigiLab 3D45 is specifically designed for use in classrooms, based on its features and capabilities to print with advanced materials, you can equally use it for your hobby and prosumer prototyping needs. Do keep in mind that it comes at a significant 3D printer cost. As far as Nylon 3D printers are concerned, it is one of the most expensive.

Standout Features

• RFID Filament recognition
• Remote 3D print monitoring
• Industrial design

Technical Details
Build Volume	254 x 152 x 170 mm
Materials	PLA, Eco-ABS, Nylon, PETG
Bed leveling	Manual
Max hot end temperature	280°C
Max bed temperature	110°C
Connectivity	Wifi, USB, Ethernet
Supported slicers	Dremel DigiLab 3D Slicer (Cura), Dremel Print Cloud (3DPrinterOS)
Filament diameter	1. 75 mm

What We Like

• Plug-n-play design
• Over 30 lesson plans
• Intuitive touchscreen

Could Be Better

• Manual bed leveling
• Small build volume

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Raise3D Pro 2

Largest Nylon 3D Printer

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The Raise3D Pro 2 is a large-sized, fully enclosed dual extruder 3D printer built for professionals. It includes a 305 x 305 x 300 mm large print volume that offers enough space for larger Nylon 3D prints.

In terms of features, it has a hot end capable of going up to 300 °C and a heated bed that reaches up to 110 °C, letting you print with Nylon, Metal PLA, Carbon Fiber, and PC. The dual extruders allow you to do multi-material printing, for example, letting you print with soluble supports.

The addition of a large 7-inch touchscreen, a HEPA filtration system, a filament sensor, and a 32-bit mainboard are all designed to enhance the user experience. However, with a price tag of $3999, the Raise3D Pro 2 is aimed squarely at professional users.

It is one of the best Nylon 3D printers on the list and combines the best of all the others mentioned. The Raise3D Pro 2 is an ideal fit for your professional 3D printing workflow or use in print farms and industries.

Standout Features

• Dual extrusion
• Large build volume
• High-temp hot end

Technical Details
Build Volume	305 x 305 x 300 mm
Materials	PLA, ABS, HIPS, TPU, PC, NYLON, TPE, FLEX, PETG, Metallic PLA, Wood PLA, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Materials
Bed leveling	Automatic
Max hot end temperature	300°C
Max bed temperature	110°C
Connectivity	WiFi, LAN, USB Port
Supported slicers	Ideamaker
Filament diameter	1. 75 mm

What We Like

• Multi-material printing
• Large touchscreen
• Inbuilt spool holders

Could Be Better

• Reliability issues

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What to look for in a Nylon 3D printer

Enclosure

Nylon is a high-temperature material, meaning it extrudes at high temperatures beyond 230 °C. This makes it prone to warping quickly with even the slightest temperature differences in the print chamber. Enclosed 3D printers help to dial down these issues.

With an enclosure, you get a stable printing temperature, and the heat emitted from the bed stays contained in the print chamber, keeping an evenly heated area near the print. Moreover, a fully enclosed 3D printer that offers internal spool storage is able to keep Nylon filaments from absorbing any external moisture.

If the Nylon 3D printer you have an eye on is not enclosed, you can always opt for a DIY 3D printer enclosure or an aftermarket one.

Maximum nozzle temperature

As mentioned earlier, Nylon filament has a high melting temperature. Its typical extrusion temperature lies somewhere between 230°C – 270°C depending on the filament brand. When getting a 3D printer to print Nylon, you need to ensure that it has an all-metal hot end capable of reaching and sustaining these temperatures.

All of the 3D printers mentioned in this list are capable of printing at such high temperatures, with the maximum nozzle temperature of some printers going as high as 300°C. It gives a bit of freeway to print Nylon at higher temps and better quality. Higher nozzle temperatures let you set a faster printing speed, too, as they can melt and push Nylon filaments at a high rate.

Heated bed

The high-temperature hot end and a heated bed go hand in hand while printing with Nylon filament. A heated bed helps with better print surface adhesion of Nylon, while also passively heating the print area. It leads to relatively stable printing temperatures, thus reducing warping with Nylon prints.

For printing with Nylon filament, you need bed temperatures between 70°C – 90°C. The exact temperature varies from brand to brand, which you will need to figure out with a bit of experimentation or by reading the recommended temperatures in the documentation.

In addition to the heated bed, you need to look at the print surfaces too. A Garolite print surface and a glass bed with a PVA glue stick result in the best bed adhesion and can easily sustain the heating temperatures of 70 °C and beyond that is required to print with Nylon filament.

Build volume

The build volume of a 3D printer is one of its defining characteristics, and it becomes an important criterion to consider when deciding to get a printer to print with Nylon filaments.

Nylon filament has excellent mechanical properties with high resistance to abrasion and a low coefficient of friction.

Having a large print volume for such applications will give you more freedom to print bigger models in a single piece. It will lead to better uniformity throughout the print, resulting in excellent mechanical properties. Similarly, you can print larger-sized display pieces in a single part, thus saving you post-processing times and giving you a seamless model.

Remote monitoring

Nylon as a filament is expensive compared to other materials like the PLA, ABS, and PETG. It is difficult to 3D print too, and there are chances of print failures due to poor bed adhesion or something else going wrong during the printing process. It leads to material losses, wasted filament, and an overall loss in productivity.

With a remote monitoring setup, you get a camera and Wi-Fi connectivity to view the current printing progress remotely. If something were to go wrong, you can immediately stop the print and remedy any issue. Asides from this, you get the flexibility to be away from the 3D printer and continue with any other work without worrying about the print’s status.

Common problems with 3D printing nylon

Moisture Absorption

Nylon is a hygroscopic material, which means that it readily absorbs moisture from its surroundings. It will cause under-extrusion issues, air bubbles, or blobs on the print’s surface, eventually leading to print failures.

It is recommended to store Nylon in airtight containers with desiccants that absorb any moisture. Before printing, drying it in an oven or a filament dryer will help remove any residual moisture from the material. And an enclosure that will isolate the material from the external environment will help keep the filament dry during the printing process.

Warping

We’ve established that Nylon is a high-temperature material that melts between 230°C – 270°C. If we cannot control this cooling rate once Nylon is extruded out of the nozzle and let its temperature come down drastically, it will contract rapidly and result in warping and layer separation issues.

To counter this, you need a heated bed to maintain a heat zone near the print’s surface and an enclosure to prevent any sudden air drafts and keep the hot air inside the print chamber. A printing surface with Garolite or PVA glue stick also helps with better bed adhesion and reduces any warping of Nylon.

Advantages of Nylon filament

High impact strength

Nylon has the highest impact strength than PLA, ABS, and PETG. It makes it highly durable and perfect for applications where parts are constantly subject to impact loads such as hammering, banging, or crashing with each other.

Low coefficient of friction

Nylon has a low coefficient of friction, meaning it can easily slide on other parts without substantial damage to the surface. It is beneficial for applications such as interlocking gears and constant motion mechanisms.

Flexibility

Nylon’s flexibility can be varied by varying its thickness. If you have thinner models or print thin walls, you can create a very flexible part that flexes without breaking apart.

Post-processing

Nylon’s hygroscopic nature makes it easier for you to use fabric paints or dyes with it as the print will quickly absorb the color leading to quick and easy post-processing.

Disadvantages of Nylon filament

Absorbs moisture

Nylon filament will readily absorb the moisture from the air, even during the printing process, and it results in poor print quality and might even cause print failures.

Warping

Nylon has a high melting point. If it is allowed to cool down gradually or the print area is not at a stable temperature, the Nylon print will warp, resulting in a deformed part.

Prior drying

Even if you’ve stored Nylon in an airtight container, there are chances of still some moisture being present in the filament. It would be best to dry Nylon before printing to remove any leftover moisture. This can be a cumbersome process and adds to the overall time spent on 3D printing Nylon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 3D printers print Nylon?

Yes, 3D printers can print Nylon. However, the printer needs to be calibrated properly to ensure proper printing quality. In addition, you also need to take into account the high printing temperature and warping issues that come with using Nylon filament.

What is a good brand of Nylon filament?

There are many brands of Nylon filament available in the market. Some of the more popular brands include OVERTURE, Taulman3D, and Polymaker. Either of these brands likely has the right Nylon filaments to cover your needs.

Polymaker Nylon Filament 1.75 Black, Easy to Print Nylon Filament...

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What are some applications where Nylon filament can be used?

Nylon filament can be used in a variety of applications including industrial parts, mechanical parts, and consumer products. It has high impact strength and low friction making it ideal for use in wearable products, automotive parts, and other moving parts.

What type of Nylon is used for 3D printing?

There are two types of Nylon that are used for 3D printing: Nylon 6 and Nylon 12. Nylon 6 is the most popular type as it has a low melting point and is easier to print with. Nylon 12 has a higher melting point and is less brittle, but it is more difficult to print with.

Is Nylon stronger than PLA?

Nylon is stronger than PLA filament, but it also has a higher printing temperature. It is more flexible than PLA and can withstand more impact loads. However, it is also more prone to warping. Both are likely to absorb moisture from the air and need proper filament storage. Neither is the strongest filament, but Nylon is the better option if strength is your focus.

What 3D printer will print in Nylon?

Not all 3D printers can print in Nylon. The printer needs to be able to handle temperatures up to 260 degrees Celsius in order to print with Nylon filament. In addition, the printer also needs to be calibrated properly to ensure good printing quality. An enclosure is beneficial as well.

Is Nylon hard to 3D print?

Nylon is not hard to 3D print. However, the high printing temperature and tendency to warp can cause some issues if the printer is not calibrated properly. It is important to make sure that the area where the print is taking place is at a stable temperature.

Can Nylon be used without a heated bed?

Nylon can be used without a heated bed, but it is not recommended. The print will likely not stick to the bed and the quality of the print may be affected. A heated bed helps to keep the Nylon filament at a stable temperature, which reduces warping and helps get high-quality prints.

Conclusion

Nylon is an excellent 3D printing material with outstanding mechanical strength and practical applications. You can use Nylon in functional components, interlocking gears, constant motion mechanisms, and even display models owing to its various properties.

In our comparison, the Matterhackers Pulse XE stands out as the best Nylon 3D printer that covers all of your Nylon printing needs. Since it is designed to print with Nylon material, it has all the features you need to achieve excellent print results. You get a high-temperature hot end, a heated bed with Garolite, and a decent print volume, all at a relatively budget price.

The only thing the Pulse XE lacks is an enclosure. And this is where the QIDI Tech X-Plus and the Flashforge Adventurer 4 have the edge. These 3D printers come with a fully-enclosed design, are easy to use, can print at high temps with ease, and have loads of other valuable features to make the Nylon 3D printing experience a little easier.

Let us know your thoughts on the list, and if you have anything else to add, feel free to comment below.

Best Nylon 3D Printers 2022 (& KEY Tips & Tricks)

Nylon filament is one of the toughest and best-looking filaments around – you can create impact-resistant parts that look great, yet for notably cheaper than filaments like Polycarbonate.

Unfortunately, unlike filaments like PLA, your average desktop printer will struggle with the high temperatures Nylon needs to print properly, as well as the carefully managed cooling via an enclosure to prevent it from warping.

You also need to take good care of your Nylon filament – it is very hygroscopic.

So we’ve picked out the best 3D printers for nylon that can handle the temperatures – starting at the lowest price range.

It is worth noting that while all of these Nylon 3D printers are good for Nylon printing, even tougher and more abrasive filament blends – like carbon fiber, kevlar or glass mixes – require extra consideration.

Standard brass nozzles will be destroyed quickly – you’ll need hardened steel or ruby – and not all printers are designed for this. The Pulse XE is designed especially for abrasives, however.

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Nylon 3D Printing Settings

• Nozzle Temperature: 230°C to 290°C
• Heated Bed Temperature: 25°C to 80°C
• Hotend: All-metal capable of reaching 300°C
• Print Speed: 30 mm/s to 60 mm/s
• Layer height: 0.2-0.4 mm
• Fan speed: 0%
• Bed Surface: Glass, garolite
• Adhesion: Magigoo, PVA glue
• Enclosure: Highly recommended but not required

Nylon can be pretty tricky to print compared to PLA. To help ease the process, here are recommended settings for printing with nylon. You’ll want to tweak and adapt these to your printer and filament brand for optimal results.

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Best Nylon 3D Printers 2022 – Reviews

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Qidi Tech X-Plus – Best Low-cost Enclosed 3D Printer for Nylon

• Price: Check price on Amazon here
• Build volume: 270 x 200 x 200 mm

An excellent offering from Qidi Technology, our breakdown of the best printers for nylon wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Qidi Tech X-Plus.

Versatility acts as a cornerstone of what the Qidi Tech X-Plus is all about, chiefly thanks to dual interchangeable extruders.

The basic extruder hit temperatures up to 260°C, ideal for your PLA, ABS, TPU, and PETG projects. But for nylon printing, the other cranks up the heat to 300°C.

This duality also extends to the double-sided print bed with different adhesive qualities on each surface. One side is designed for your standard filaments; flip it over to use temperature-sensitive materials like nylon.

Another central selling point is the Qidi Tech X-Plus’ enclosed chamber and air filtration system, which go the extra mile compared to other similar nylon-capable 3D printers. The chamber helps reduce printing errors by maintaining a stable thermal environment, vital when working with nylon and ABS.

Added niceties such as Wi-Fi connectivity, a touch screen, print resume, and dual filament holders bolster the Qidi Tech X-Plus feature list beautifully. You’ll also find a 270 x 200 x 200 mm build volume; not the largest out there, but certainly enough for medium-sized functional parts.

On the whole, we’d say the Qidi Tech X-Plus provides an excellent solution for semi-professionals in the market for a versatile nylon-capable printer. It’s affordable and has features generally reserved for the price rung above.

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Prusa i3 MK3S+

• Price: $999 — Available at Prusa store here
• Build volume: 250 x 250 x 210 mm

Straight from the folks with arguably the best reputation in the 3D printing game, we have the Prusa i3 MK3S+, one of the best all-around 3D printers on the market today.

While you’ll usually find owners praising it for PLA, PETG, and flexibles, the Prusa i3 MK3S+ impresses as much with more exotic, demanding filament types, including nylon.

A custom E3D V6 hot end does the heavy lifting in that sense. Sporting overall high-quality all-metal components, the hot end can comfortably reach a peak temperature of 300°C. 

Alongside the hot end, you’ll find a Prusa’s own MK52″ heat bed, capable of hitting 120°C, perfect for nailing a warp-free first layer of temperature-sensitive material. Nylon is a heat fiend, and the Prusa i3 MK3S+ dishes out all the toasty, thermal goodness needed to shine.

Discounting errors on the user’s part – the most common culprit for failed prints – the Prusa i3 MK3S+ generates admirable nylon results. It’s easy to forget this is an FDM printer by the level of detail on offer here. As it’s nylon, the parts retain all the durability and abrasion-resistance you’d expect, making them suitable for functional parts like hinges and gears, for example.

Nylon performance aside, the Prusa i3 MK3S+ has a feature list worth flaunting. Highlights include easy SuperPINDA 2 automatic mesh bed leveling, a filament sensor, power loss recovery, and ‘Stealth Mode’ near-silent printing. We’re merely scratching the surface here of what is a sophisticated, highly-reliable prosumer machine.

With the Prusa MK3S+ soaking in a glut of positives, it’s hard not to recommend it as one of the best 3D printers for nylon, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned maker.

However, it is an open-air 3D printer by default – options for enclosing it include buying the official Prusa enclosure, or making your own enclosure from scratch.

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Pulse XE

• Price: $999 — Available at Matterhackers here
• Build volume: 250 x 220 x 215 mm

The Pulse XE is a robust, machined aluminum 3D printing brute designed from the ground up to handle the most exacting, abrasive, and challenging material types under the sun, including nylon.

This is a machine to make durable parts for demanding real-world applications. Despite its tank-like build, the Pulse XE is a gentle giant of sorts – incredibly easy to set up and use from the get-go.

The Pulse XE houses the same best-in-class E3D V6 hot end as the Prusa i3 MK3S+ (it’s based on the Prusa design). Quickly hitting a maximum temperature of 300°C, the hot end has some help carrying nylon to great prints results from a heated bed with a LayerLock Garolite surface and Bondtech BMG extruder.

In action, the Pulse XE offers Prusa-level reliability with few noticeable imperfections and a superb finish on printed parts, making it one of the top nylon-capable 3D printers on the market.

Other positives include an automatic BLTouch bed leveling probe, filament run-out sensor, power resume function, and a respectable 250 x 220 x 215 mm build volume.

Put simply; the Pulse XE gathers up all the dream modifications you could think of and houses them in one sturdy piece of 3D printing kit. It’s a workhorse that performs out of the box. If demanding materials like nylon feature on your 3D printing bucket list, but you still want a printer equally at home with staples like PLA and Flexibles, consider the Pulse XE.

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Dremel 3D45

• Price: Check price on Amazon here / Available on Matterhackers here / Available on Dynamism here
• Build volume: 255 x 155 x 170 mm

Power tool manufacturer Dremel’s move to 3D printing has been something of a hit thanks to the Dremel 3D45. A fully-enclosed ecosystem printer aimed at schools, the Dremel 3D45 eases that steep 3D printing learning curve. Best of all, it works beautifully with nylon, and simplifies those first experimental prints.

Safe and dependable, thanks to carbon filters and transparent covers, the Dremel 3D45 melds into any learning environment. But, it still packs great printing capabilities under the hood.

A 255 x 155 x 170 mm build volume gives you enough room for small to medium-sized parts for, say, automotive or low-level robotic parts. You’ll also find other noteworthy features. These include a filament sensor, semi-automatic bed leveling, free lesson plans, and great slicing tools.

As for the Dremel 3D45 nylon printing, you can expect strong, durable prints with the right amount of flexibility for thinner parts. Dremel’s all-metal hot end can reach 280°C and the 100°C heated bed maintains suitable adhesion levels for consistent results.

While the Dremel 3D45’s great, there is one major concern. The printer only performs at its best when using Dremel’s proprietary filament. This is by design for an ecosystem printer for day-in, day-out educational use. You can, of course, use third-party filament. But, expect to fine-tune temperature settings to hone in on the best print quality.

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Ultimaker S3

• Price: ~$4,000 — Available at Matterhackers here / Available at Dynamism here
• Build volume: 215 x 215 x 200 mm

Following in the footsteps of the critically acclaimed Ultimaker 3, which burst onto the 3D printing scene back in 2017, the Ultimaker S3 is a powerful dual extrusion 3D printer suitable for professional and design applications.

The dual extruder setup oozes versatility, extending its competence to everything from ABS and PLA to PVA, CPE, and nylon. Whatever you throw at the Ultimaker S3, the print results are nothing short of excellent, with a particular emphasis on clean edges and smooth finish when printing with nylon. For those functional applications where durability and dependability are essential, the Ultimaker 3 absolutely sings.

Peeking briefly at the specifications list, the Ultimaker 3 hits its stride there, too. A decent 215 x 215 x 200 mm build volume, swappable print cores for different filament types, an enclosed chamber, Wi-Fi connectivity, automatic bed leveling, a layer resolution up to 20 microns, and a heated glass bed.

The only issue holding back the Ultimaker S3 is lengthy print times. Blame the fact we’ve become accustomed to much speedier printers due to advances in the intervening years. Key in fine-detail prints, especially when using several material types, and you’re in for a long old slog numbered in the dozens of hours.

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Ultimaker S5

• Price: $6,300 — Available at Matterhackers here / Available at Dynamism here
• Build volume: 330 x 240 x 300 mm

The Ultimaker S5 is a professional-grade printer fit for all manner of applications. Much of this is down to how it tackles various filament types, including nylon, all in a streamlined, functional setup that delivers outstanding print quality.

You certainly pay for the pleasure, and the Ultimaker S5 prices out hobbyist makers, who’d be better served with the more affordable, if older, Ultimaker S3. That said, for business and expert makers with the budget to spare, the Ultimaker S5’s price tag is entirely justified.

Beyond extensive material compatibility, the Ultimaker S5 ships with a large-scale 330 x 240 x 300 mm fit for series batch-printing, large prototyping, functional parts, and everything in between. 

Add in automatic bed leveling, an enclosed chamber, the same impressive dual extrusion capabilities Ultimaker S3, a touchscreen, and a heated bed. List the most coveted features among designers and engineers, the Ultimaker S5 has them.

While we could happily keep praising this machine to stress just how impressive an offering we have here, the Ultimaker S5 is best considered a super-sized, souped Ultimaker S3, itself one of the best affordable nylon printers around.

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Buyer’s Guide – What To Look Out For In a Nylon 3D Printer

Here are a few key features to look out for when shopping around for a nylon 3D printer:

All-Metal Hot End

Nylon requires high temperatures. A hot end capable of safely and consistently reaching 300°C is recommended as this covers the full run of filament manufacturer recommendations.

Another concern of non-all-metal hot ends is the internal PTFE tubing, which can break down and release toxic fumes at around 240°C. Given that 240°C sits at the lower end of nylon’s usual temperature requirements, you’ll likely push past it on a regular basis.

Enclosure

Much like ABS, nylon is particularly susceptible to changes in ambient temperature. Temperature drops cause curling and other deformations that ruin prints.

Though not 100% necessary, a printer with an enclosure drastically decreases the likelihood of these types of issues ruining your nylon printing experience.

There’s also particulate dust to consider when printing with carbon fiber and other composite nylon. A printer with a HEPA air filter is highly recommended.

Heated Bed

A heated bed will help with first-layer adhesion and help prevent warping. Allied to an enclosure, a heated bed provides all the heat nylon requires to produce quality, warp-free prints.

Bed Leveling

Though not required, automatic bed leveling will vastly improve your time with a printer. It removes the hassle of manual leveling, allowing you to print faster and more efficiently.

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Nylon 3D Printer Tips and Tricks

Storing and Drying Nylon

Though nylon has many excellent properties, a major downside is that it easily absorbs moisture from the air. It does this at such a rapid rate that leaving Nylon filament out for just a few hours can degrade it to the point that it ruins parts and sours nylon’s signature smooth surface finish.

To avoid moisture-related issues, it’s essential to store nylon correctly. Typical solutions include sealed air-tight containers and resealable vacuum bags with desiccant sacs. Should the nylon absorb moisture, the issue isn’t permanent as it’s possible to dry the filament ready for 3D printing.

Here you have options. One of the most common is to place the filament in a domestic oven at roughly 70-80°C for around six hours. Doing so extracts all the moisture.

Alternatively, you can invest in a purpose-built filament dryer like the PrintDry Pro or Sunlu FilaDryer S1. The latter goes a step further as it allows you to print alongside drying the filament, perfect if you’re working in humid conditions where leaving the nylon exposed to air is problematic.

Bed Adhesion

Aside from being hygroscopic, one of the biggest challenges with printing nylon is just how prone the material is to warping. It doesn’t take much for nylon to throw a tantrum and cough up adhesion problems.

To give yourself a fighting chance, you’ll want to tune the nozzle and heated bed temperatures correctly, but also use a bit of extra adhesive to help to ensure a solid first layer.

Applying a layer of inexpensive, readily-available PVA-based glue onto the bed before printing works well, as do more specialized alternatives like Magigoo or Kapton tape. We recommend bed surfaces here.

Beyond adhesives, we recommend brims and rafts for every print. These act as an extra buffer to ensure the part sticks and is held down well to the bed and doesn’t warp. They mean using a bit more filament with every print, but the benefits far outweigh the extra material spent.

Pay Attention to Manufacturer Recommended Settings

Due to different blends, composite fills, raw material quality, and manufacturing processes, not all nylon brands have the same printer setting requirements. Pay attention to what the filament manufacturer recommends, especially in terms of the nozzle and heated bed temperature.

You’ll often find manufacturers unhelpfully listing temperature ranges rather than a specific number. While troublesome, this is to cater to as many printers as possible. Start from the highest recommended temperature and work your way down. Alternatively, a temperature tower test should help you zero in on the optimum settings.

Fans Off

Turn the part cooling fan off on your printer when working with the nylon. The material is extremely sensitive to temperature changes, and introducing rapid cooling can exacerbate first layer adhesion issues and warping.

Nylon prefers to cool at its own pace. Controlled and uniform cooling avoids warping and ensures parts come out with a smooth finish.

Print Slow

Another major point from the best practice nylon playbook is to print slower than you would with ABS or PLA. Around 30 to 50 mm/s is ideal, but never beyond 60 mm/s.

The optimum setting depends on your specific printer and filament brand, so be sure to dial in the print speed with a few initial test prints to see what works best.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Nylon

Advantages

• Strong and durable – Nylon boasts a high tensile strength and is extremely durable even under strain.
• Impact-resistant – Nylon can sustain heavy forces for long periods of time without degrading or breaking.
• Abrasion-resistant – Nylon weathers friction well, making it particularly suitable for applications such as functional gears and living hinges.
• Flexible – Though not as flexible as filaments like TPU, nylon is far more flexible than ABS and PLA. Additionally, it’s particularly useful for thin prints that require strength alongside flexibility.

Disadvantages

• Extremely hygroscopic – If left exposed, nylon absorbs water. Though this isn’t particularly an issue for printed parts, it’s a problem for spooled filament. When wet it can cause all manner of printing issues as it feeds through the hot end where the water effectively boils, degrading the filament and causing clogs.
• Prone to warping – Due to the fact it’s highly heat-sensitive, nylon is susceptible to warping, making it one of the more challenging materials to 3D print.
• Requires correct storage – To avoid moisture issues, nylon needs to be stored correctly, which can add extra cost.

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Nylon 3D Printer Applications

• Manufacturing, industrial, and engineering – interlocking gears, machine parts, tools, bolts, nuts, hinges, cable ties.
• Design – rapid prototyping.
• Electronics – housing and insulation.
• Hobbies – drone chassis, RC car parts, tyres, wheels.

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Can Any 3D Printer Print Nylon?

No, not all 3D printers can print nylon. Nylon properties make it particularly challenging to print, and many low-cost printers, generally designed to print PLA and ABS, simply won’t be able to keep up.

How to Dye 3D Printed Nylon?

Thanks to its hygroscopic properties, nylon is well suited to dyeing. MatterHackers offers an in-depth guide to dyeing nylon, either before or after printing.

How Strong Is 3D Printed Nylon?

When 3D printed, nylon exhibits a 7,000 psi tensile strength, allowing it to sustain forces up to 200 kg before any sign of degradation. Nylon is strong, durable, and particularly resistant to impact, wear and tear, sustained friction, and abrasion.

FAQs

What 3D Printers Can Print Nylon?

To print nylon, you’ll need a printer with an all-metal hot end capable of reaching temperatures up to 300°C, an enclosure, and, if you’re printing with composite filled nylon, a hardened nozzle. The Qidi Tech X-Plus, Prusa i3 MK3S+, Pulse XE, Dremel 3D45, and Ultimaker S5 are solid choices for 3D printing nylon.

What Is the Best 3D Printer for ABS and Nylon

One of the main crossovers between ABS and nylon is that both materials require a stable thermal environment to curb issues like warping. A printer with an enclosure will keep the printer operating in a steady and constant environment. Printers like the Qidi Tech X-Plus and Ultimaker S5 have a fully-enclosed chamber making them suitable for tricky filaments like ABS and nylon.

Can Ender 3 3D Print Nylon?

No, the stock Ender 3 isn’t designed to handle nylon. However, with a few targeted upgrades, notably an all-metal hot end like an E3D V6 and an enclosure, and a firmware upgrade to raise the max temperature ceiling, the Ender 3 can handle nylon printing. You can read more in our Ender 3 filament guide.

Can You 3D Print Glass Filled Nylon?

Absolutely, though if you have a brass nozzle, you’ll need to swap it out for a more robust and durable alternative, such as a hardened steel nozzle, to print glass-filled nylon filament (NylonG).

Can You 3D Print Nylon Indoors?

Yes, but you’ll want to do so in a well-ventilated area as nylon is known to produce potentially toxic fumes and particulate dust, or alternatively, use a sealed enclosure with an air filter.

Do Nylon 3D Printed Parts Shrink?

No, nylon 3D printed parts aren’t known to shrink. On the contrary, 3D printed parts excel at retaining their shape and structure even under heavy loads and high temperatures if printed correctly.

How Much Does It Cost to 3D Print Nylon?

It varies. You need to factor in the cost of the printer (anywhere from $700.00 to $6,000) and the cost of filament (anywhere from $30.00 to $80.00 per spool). For the best results, you’ll also need some sort of storage solution and drying equipment, the latter costing anywhere from $50.00 to $200.00.

Is 3D Printing Nylon Safe?

Overall, and with the proper precautions, 3D printing nylon is safe. Ensure you work in a well-ventilated area and use a printer with an enclosure and air filtration system. As with all 3D printing, avoid touching the heated parts during operation.

Related articles:

• The best 3D printers for ABS
• Best 3D printers for PEEK
• Best 3D printers for carbon fiber
• Best metal 3D printers
• Best Nylon filament

Nylon printing

Article applies to printers:

Felix 3. 0 1X MakerBot Replicator 2X WANHAO Duplicator 4X

The tips in this article will teach you how to print nylon ( Nylon ) like a pro. Nylon ( Nylon ) is a stronger and more durable alternative to materials such as PLA and ABS plastics.

Everyone who has ever printed on a 3D printer is familiar with materials such as PLA and ABS plastics. If you've printed PLA with plastic, you probably know that while it's quite strong, it's also a very brittle material. You cannot leave the parts in the sun or in any other place where the temperature rises above 54*C.

If you've printed ABS plastic, you know it's much stronger than PLA, but 3D printed ABS parts don't have the strength of molded parts, and often aren't strong enough for functional parts.

Trying Nylon ( Nylon).

Nylon is an incredibly strong, durable and versatile 3D printing material. Flexible when thin, but with very high interlayer adhesion, Nylon ( Nylon) well applicable in the manufacture of models such as movable hinges or other functional parts and mechanisms. Low friction and high melting point Nylon Nylon is an excellent choice for printing things like gears.

Here's what you need to know to get started printing with nylon ( Nylon).

1) Nylon melting point - 240C and above, make sure your printer's extruder can be heated to at least 260C.

2) Nylon must be dry.

Nylon is very hygroscopic. This means that it easily absorbs water from the air. Nylon can absorb more than 10% of its weight in water in less than 24 hours. Dry filament is required to achieve successful printing with nylon filaments. When printing with Nylon that is not dry, the water explodes the filament, causing air bubbles during printing, which prevents good layer adhesion and greatly weakens the model. It becomes fragile.

Dry Nylon is printed with a buttery smooth or glossy finish. In order to dry Nylon (Nylon), it must be placed in an oven with a temperature of 80-95C for 6-8 hours. After drying, store in an airtight container, preferably with a desiccant (silica gel).

Model printed with dry nylon on the left, wet nylon on the right.

3) Nylon may warp.

We have found that Nylon deforms about the same as ABS.

When printing with Nylon, a heated bed printer is required. And a PVA-based glue stick applied to a heated table is the best way to adhere. Glue or scotch tape is a fairly inexpensive consumable and is quite easy to find. We have found that a heated bed up to 75C, together with a thin layer of adhesive, works great when printing with Nylon.

Do not use layer cooling fans.

For best 3D printing results, avoid drafts or cool places.

Recommended printing parameters:

Extrusion temperature - 240-260C (each type of Nylon filament is slightly different. Follow manufacturer's recommendations).

Heated bed temperature - 70-80C (use PVA glue)

Print speed: 30-60mm/s

Layer height: 0. 2 - 0.4 mm

dedicated to developing innovative materials for 3D printing. To date, 3 types of nylon are available under the Taulman3D brand.

Taulman3D 618 Nylon is specially designed for 3D printing, its features are good bonding, high water resistance, good tear resistance and ink absorption. Models printed with this material have a natural white color with a transparent surface. Plastic can also be easily dyed, both before and after printing.

Taulman3D 645 Nylon has unique characteristics. Expected tensile strength is 16.533 psi (114 MPa), tensile strength is 120%. Taulman3D 645 Nylon has all the same features as Taulman3D 618 Nylon but with improved performance. Recommended printing temperature is ~230°C to 265°C.

Taulman3D 645 Nylon - is the company's latest development with improved intercoat adhesion and increased strength.

You can buy Taulman3D products in our online store.

3D Printable Nylon



• 1 Description
• 2 Specifications
• 3 Advantages and disadvantages of nylon
• 3. 1 Advantages of
• 3.2 Disadvantages
• 4 3D printing use
• 5 Use of available materials



Description

Nylon is attractive as a material for 3D printing due to its high wear resistance, affordability and excellent slip coefficient, which allows the use of nylon in bearings and other similar mechanisms, often without the use of lubricants.

Example model made with Stratasys Nylon 12
Despite the widespread use of nylon in industry, the use of this material in 3D printing is quite limited due to certain technological difficulties. However, in recent years, specialized nylon consumables have appeared, focused on use with SLS and FDM printers.

Taulman and Stratasys nylon threads are the most popular examples.


Specifications





	Taulman 618	Taulman 645	Stratasys Nylon 12
Density	1. 134 g/cm³	–	–
Hygroscopicity	3.09%	3.09%	–
Tensile strength	65.99 MPa	85.68 MPa	48.26-53 MPa
Elongation at Break	Over 300%	Over 300%	9.5-30%
Melting point	218°C	214°C	178°C
Glass transition temperature	49.4°C	68.2°C	–
Extrusion temperature	235-260°C	235-260°C	–
Pyrolysis temperature	350-360°C	350-360°C	–

Stratasys Nylon 12 is designed for use with Fortus brand 360mc, 400mc and 9 professional rigs00mc, while Taulman's nylon filaments are designed to work with any home and office 3D printer optimized for the popular ABS plastic. In addition, Taulman is testing a range of laser sintered nylon materials, including a powder version of Taulman 618.

Advantages and disadvantages of nylon

Advantages of

• High wear resistance
• High elasticity
• Resistant to most organic solvents
• High temperature resistance
• Easy to machine

Disadvantages

• High hygroscopicity
• Release of toxic fumes during pyrolysis
• Taulman brand nylon threads available in 1.75mm and 3mm diameters

3D printing use

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Taulman brand nylon filaments are available in 1.75mm and 3mm
Nylon printing technology is similar to ABS printing, but with some differences. Like ABS, nylon is prone to twisting and warping when cooled unevenly, requiring the use of a heated bed.

The nylon layers have excellent adhesion, which minimizes the chance of delamination of models. Users of Taulman plastics note the durability of models at the level of analogues made by traditional injection molding.

Nylon is almost impossible to bond, which makes it difficult to manufacture large parts from components. Alternatively, it is possible to connect nylon parts by melting the surfaces to be joined.

Nylon can be dyed with acid-based dyes.

Nylon does not bond to glass and other smooth surfaces, so it is recommended to use masking tape or a wood backing when printing.

Due to the high hygroscopicity of nylon (the ability to absorb moisture), it is recommended to dry the nylon filament immediately before printing. Otherwise, water vapor may be released from the nozzle, which is not catastrophic for the extruder, but may affect print quality.


Using scrap materials

Some hobbyists prefer to use inexpensive nylon line for printing, which is fraught with some unpleasant consequences.

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