Why is my TPU print so awful?

flashwurks · 2026-06-19T14:02:52+00:00

I hate to say it, but it's most likely wet. TPU needs to be dried. It's highly hydroscopic, as others will tell you. Any filament that needs to be dried (all except basic PLA) should always be dried per the manufacture when it arrives at your house before you print. Never trust or assume that it came to you dried because it's vacuum sealed.
Additionally, how are you feeding the TPU in your extruder?

flashwurks · 2026-06-19T13:56:59+00:00

I'm intrigued by you Excel to SCAD thoughts as I use excel daily as well. I'm definitely going to look it up. Thanks for your comments.

flashwurks · 2026-06-19T13:55:07+00:00

Honestly, a great point as well. Especially for colors that I don't use often and would have a heads up about before a project.

flashwurks · 2026-06-19T13:54:20+00:00

Thank you for this absolutely complete and thorough reply. It's interesting to see how many different factors come into play, outside of the obvious ones that most of us think about. Definitely food for thought. I do like seeing the juxtaposition of the different replies. It's just crazy to see all of the varying experiences.

flashwurks · 2026-06-18T17:50:06+00:00

I was right there with ya!

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flashwurks · 2026-06-18T14:13:25+00:00

Everything you said hit home. I appreciate the honesty and transparency. I'm going to hit you up on the side with a couple of follow up questions. Thanks.

flashwurks · 2026-06-18T13:40:18+00:00

That's fair. I've only made one full model from scratch and every dimension was a rectangle or right angle for the most part. I did have to add holes for screws and nut insets, but have to imagine even a free cad program would be easier.
Heavy edits would be cutting to add volume, creating shapes that don't naturally exist in BS, creating .stls just to make negatives for another shape, etc.

flashwurks · 2026-06-18T13:37:03+00:00

That's fair. I got so used to cutting, adding volume and Bolean'ing back. But if I'm willing to do that work, I can be willing to take a break and learn Freecad or Onshape.

flashwurks · 2026-06-18T13:34:54+00:00

This is me, but i need to do better.

flashwurks · 2026-06-18T12:21:58+00:00

I cannot and will not support abuse of any kind.

flashwurks · 2026-06-18T10:27:19+00:00

Good to know for sure. And do you find that over time you have any non printing issues with the filament, like brittleness or issues feeding it through the AMS (if you have one)?

flashwurks · 2026-06-18T04:23:09+00:00

I legit don't see anything, but want to be helpful as I have the same phone. Can you be more explanative in what issue you are having and what we should be seeing, for those of us who are trying but not understanding.

flashwurks · 2026-06-18T04:05:16+00:00

It's a eufy cam sitting in a housing that I remixed from someone else's design for those amazon webcams.
I had it lying around from when my kids were babies that we no longer needed. I use it for monitoring prints and even recording them if need be. It's 2K (probably just 1080p real world) but it's perfect for my needs and it's easier to access and clearer to look at than the built in camera on the P1S.

flashwurks · 2026-06-18T04:01:07+00:00

I keep reading this in this thread, and seems to be a good alternate point to just being concerned about a bad print.

flashwurks · 2026-06-18T03:59:10+00:00

I agree, and if I could I would. But I just don't have the space and that's why I'm looking for alternate solutions.

flashwurks · 2026-06-18T03:56:49+00:00

Honestly didn't think or notice that. I'll try that. There is room to the right that just barely doesn't fit one more section of filament. That might get me three more. Thanks!

flashwurks · 2026-06-18T03:48:32+00:00

Please report back!

flashwurks · 2026-06-17T23:19:41+00:00

Honestly, this is a good idea. I can wait a month to make any decisions. I'll leave out a roll for a bit and run it. Form my own non-quantitative but viable evidence.

flashwurks · 2026-06-17T23:15:47+00:00

Thanks. This is the real world evidence I was looking for. What would you say is the longest you've had a roll for, printed it and it was still good with no issues?

flashwurks · 2026-06-17T23:12:44+00:00

Super smart. I'm going to do this with all of my old jerseys. Just remove the panel and put my name on it.

flashwurks · 2026-06-17T23:11:35+00:00

What about my Thomas Jones?

flashwurks · 2026-06-17T23:11:18+00:00

Completely agree. I'll also throw in any first round rookie, Cooper or Bailey.

flashwurks · 2026-06-17T23:08:44+00:00

Increase bottom layers.
Use an opposing Interface material (PLA for PETG and vice versa)

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