3D Filament Pilot Program
The 3D Filament Pilot Program is a proposal to expand the projects possible on HackRVA's 3D printers by keeping a wider variety of filaments in limited quantities stocked for the use of members. This also provides opportunities for members to experiment with various filaments before committing to buying larger amounts for their own projects. Additionally, this pilot program broadens the capabilities of the printers by also buying hardened nozzles suitable for abrasive filaments and specialized bed plates required for more advanced filaments such as Nylon which broadens the possible filaments, especially engineering filaments, that members can use.
| Part | Description | Unit Price | Quantity |
| E3D Prusa High Flow ObXidian | Hardened Nozzle | $70.99 | 1 |
| PA Nylon Powder-coated Print Sheet | Bed Sheet for printing Nylon Filaments | $63.99 | 1 |
| Prusa USS Drybox | Protects Hygroscopic Filament (which is most of them) | $34.99 | 4 |
| Prusament ASA Jet Black 800g (NFC) | ASA Filament | $27.99 | 1 |
| Buddy3D ABS Natural 750g | ABS Filament | $15.99 | 1 |
| Prusament PETG Matte Black 1kg (NFC) | PETG Filament | $35.99 | 1 |
| Polymaker PolyMide" CoPA | Nylon Filament | $49.99 | 1 |
| Polymaker PolyLite PC Polycarbonate 3D Printer Filament 1KG 1.75mm | PC Filament | $32.99 | 1 |
| CarbonX Nylon 6+CF (PA6-CF) 3D Printer Filament by 3DXTech Made in USA 500g | CF-Nylon | $37.99 | 1 |
| Prusament TPU 95A Jet Black 500g (NFC) | TPU Filament | $37.99 | 1 |
| allPHA BLACK (ColorFabb) | PHA Filament | $38.07 | 1 |
| Prusament PVB Smoky Black 500g (NFC) | PVB Filament | $43.99 | 1 |
| MH Build Series PVA Filament - 1.75mm (1kg) | PVA Filament, dissolvable supports | $87.99 | 1 |
| Total | $683.92 |
Education
Misuse of certain filaments, especially abrasive filaments, can cause damage to printer nozzles and beds if not used with the correct nozzle or bed. In order to avoid damage, signage will be added to the 3D printing area to inform members who plan to print with said filaments (including those who bring their own filament rolls) of the necessary setup to print with abrasive filament without causing damage. Warning labels directing people to this same information will also be affixed to HackRVA owned spools of abrasive and other filaments with the potential to damage 3D printers if misused.
Retrospective
The spools will be weighed upon opening then compared three months later to evaluate usage. This usage information will be brought to the membership meeting so that informed decisions can be made on whether to stock a wider variety of filament and if so, which filaments to keep stocked.